Jason Hedden
Business Manager & Producer
Jason Hedden is a Special Education teacher at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before becoming an educator, Jason owned and operated kickboxing gyms in Lincoln Park and Logan Square.
Jason received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Iowa. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood. During his time in Los Angeles, Jason produced theatre with various companies throughout the North Hollywood Theatrical District. In addition, he worked in company management for Disney’s The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre, helping close that run and mount their Chicago debut in 2003. After returning to the midwest, Jason was an assistant speech coach in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and became City Circle Acting Company’s first Business Manager in Coralville, Iowa. In Illinois, he has helped in all realms of theatre at Hinsdale South High School and has been one of their assistant speech coaches, on and off, over the past ten years.
He received his Master’s Degree in Teaching from National-Louis University and his second Master’s Degree in American History and U.S. Government from Ashland University.
Jason is a Founding Member and Business Manager/Producer of MainStage Theatre. He is married to Danny Yuska, and together they have a daughter, Reese, who is seven years old and goes to kindergarten at Elizabeth Ide Elementary. They live in Downers Grove and love traveling, going to the theatre, taking Reese to her various activities, and spending time with their dog, Linus.