Always on a mission, swift and purposeful, guidance counselor Larry Hensley never stops moving. Finishing his work day, Hensley heads to Harford Community College (HCC) where he will spend the next several hours. In addition to being a guidance counselor, Hensley is also the company manager and producer at the Phoenix Festival Theater (PFT) at HCC.

As producer, he is responsible for recruiting production teams, hiring the production staff, managing the budget and planning the upcoming season. He also oversees rehearsals and markets for the show in progress. When choosing a show for the upcoming season, he tries to include an edgier or new show, a classic, and a family friendly show in the season line-up.

“I had been a part of Phoenix Festival Theater for 12 years, choreographing and directing shows there, and the previous company manager was leaving,” Hensley said about acquiring the position. The members thought Hensley was the perfect fit due to his energy, organization skills and passion.

According to Hensley, having more than one job can be stressful. Three days prior to the opening of the theater’s most recent show, “The Producers,” Hensley had logged 40 hours of work at the college.

However, being so busy has its advantages. “There are good days and bad days. There are many highs that come with the shows. When the final product comes together and you see the amount of hours that community members put in and that they are having fun while doing what they love, and you have helped it happen, that is a great feeling” Hensley said.

The position also allows him more opportunities on his artistic side.

Hensley is not the only faculty member spending his time at PFT when he is not at JC. Director of the Theatre Department Kim Brueggemann has been involved at PFT as a cast member, choreographer, and director.

Bruggemann recently choreographed “The Producers” at PFT. According to her, being a part of the production staff allows for a “new creative outlet.”

Hensley and Brueggemann are both involved in the productions at JC, but Hensley has a very different job during the school day. Brueggemann, however, spends all of her time at both JC and PFT feeding her love of the arts.

Brueggemann has recently shifted jobs from the Admissions Department to full time with the fine arts, a job she was previously doing along with admissions. “My time is now fully allotted to expanding our performing arts,” Brueggemann said.

She said, “I started dancing when I was six. Ever since I stepped one foot on the stage when I was nine years old, if people would say ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ I would say performing arts, or be on stage, or teach dance. It is an absolute honor and joy that I now have the opportunity to utilize my skills and background full time.”

Karly Horn is an A&E Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.