When Dallas Janssen was growing up, he often saw his grandmother writing in her journal. In one entry, she wrote something that stuck with him for life: “Our lives have spanned the seasons of time, and together, we hope to leave a legacy of motivation and perseverance so those whose lives we have touched will continue in the hope of creating a better world full of understanding and kindness.”
Today, as Senior Manager of Ticket Services at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Dallas lives out that legacy with purpose, empathy and a deep commitment to connection.
“When I reflect on the values that shaped who I am — personally and professionally — I think of my grandparents, Gail and Janice Janssen,” he says. “My grandfather was the CEO of a regional bank chain, and my grandmother began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Wisconsin. Both were deeply committed to their community and lived with a quiet but powerful sense of purpose.”
Dallas remembers afternoons spent helping his grandmother sort through scholarship applications for the local health association she led and learning about the scholarship foundation they created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for students in Biological Systems Engineering.
“Even after their passing, I carry their values forward,” he reflects. “At the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, I helped create our Community Rush initiative — a program that provides low-cost tickets to families receiving government assistance. It is the kind of work I believe would make them proud, and in many ways, it’s their legacy in action.”
Older brother Cody and Dallas with grandparents Gail and Janice.
Dallas’s career path was not traditional. After high school, he began studying arts administration at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay but left after two years to focus on paying bills. Over several years, he worked in retail and international logistics while also keeping a part-time job as a ticket agent at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Over time, what began as a side job turned into something more. He was offered a full-time job as Ticket Manager and was later promoted to Senior Manager. Looking back, Dallas admits it was not always easy.
A reluctant Dallas, as a ticket agent in 2014, was pressured by marketing to take a picture for social media to promote holiday sales and gift cards.
“Nothing about my career path has been linear or expected,” he says of the journey that led him to become a senior leader at a venue he loves. “I still struggle with impostor syndrome at times because my path did not follow a traditional script, and I don’t always feel like the ‘expert in the room.’ But looking back, I can see how every stop on that journey gave me the skills I use every day — leading my team, embracing technology, delivering top-tier customer service, and advocating for community accessibility.”
His growth has come with lessons learned. When asked about his most memorable professional moment, he recalls an early mishap: “I’m going to take this in a slightly different direction and share a funny story from early in my career. Not long after I started as a ticket agent, I was working a Saturday morning before a local symphony performance. At the time, the symphony would give comp vouchers to their musicians, and during their lunch break, they would swarm the ticket office to pick them up. I was still relatively new and feeling the pressure. In the rush, I accidentally comped about 20 to 25 tickets to our upcoming engagement of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella instead of that night’s symphony performance.”
Dallas continues, “Thankfully, I caught the mistake and flagged down my manager, who went backstage and managed to round up all the musicians to exchange their tickets … It taught me a lot: To slow down and double-check my work, to read tickets back to patrons, and most importantly, that even when things go sideways, almost everything can be fixed.”
Formal education remained unfinished business for Dallas, but not for long. “Even though not having a degree wasn’t holding me back professionally, it was always something that weighed on me,” he admits. “My grandparents placed a strong value on education. They believed in seeing things through and investing in yourself. After my grandmother passed away in 2023, I felt it was the right time to honor her by continuing my education.”
Dallas completed all his coursework in less than a year and graduated in September 2024 with an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “It wasn’t just about crossing something off a list. It was a promise fulfilled, and a reminder that even with a fast-paced life, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I know my grandparents would be proud.”
When asked what he loves most about his work, Dallas lights up. “No two days are ever the same,” he says. “I would take a chaotic hour before a show over a full day at my desk any time. I thrive in those moments of organized chaos — doing detective work, solving problems, finding broker tickets, and interacting with patrons … There is something really special about watching guests arrive, seeing the joy on their faces, and knowing we helped make that moment happen. It completely refills my cup.”
His passion for the industry is just as strong. “Even though I am not on stage performing, I still get to be a part of the arts, part of something I have always been deeply passionate about. We are the frontline of live entertainment, and being able to contribute to that experience is incredibly fulfilling,” Dallas says. “At the same time, I have always had a love for technology, and ticketing feels like the perfect blend of both worlds. Our industry is constantly evolving, whether it is adopting new systems, enhancing processes, or tackling fraud and bad actors. There is always something new to learn or improve, and that intersection of innovation and artistry is what keeps me so engaged.”
Dallas credits much of his growth to a mentor he met along the way — his colleague and friend, Jane Wehrel. “She is the ticketing manager who hired me as a ticket agent. She has been with our organization for over 17 years and truly laid the foundation for our ticket services operation … Jane is my biggest sounding board, my go-to thought partner, and one of the most innovative people I know. Whenever I have a crazy idea, she is the first person I turn to for feedback and support. Her guidance and influence have been instrumental in shaping both my career and my life.”
Dallas values friends who are easy to be with and show up for each other, no matter what that looks like. “I recently took a birthday trip to Chicago with one of my best friends to see Titanique, which was hilarious, and outside of that show, nothing else was planned. We stopped at random spots on the way down, ate at restaurants that sounded fun in the moment, and binge-watched a series in the hotel when we needed to decompress. That’s the kind of friendship I treasure — being present, flexible and genuinely tuned in to each other’s needs.”
Dallas (right) and Alex at Titanique.
At the heart of everything Dallas does is connection — to colleagues, mentors, friends, and the broader community. “I am inspired by the passion our community has for the events and art we present at the Center,” he says. “It genuinely motivates me every day to know that my team plays a pivotal role in getting people through our doors and into those seats.”
This philosophy guides how he builds his team culture. “I want our office to feel like a family, not in the cliché sense where that justifies overwork, but in a way that means we truly care about one another. We have fun together. We plan theme days during Broadway runs, host potlucks, and organize team outings. More than anything, I want our team to be a space where everyone feels safe to be themselves, where they know they will be accepted and valued for who they are, and where that openness makes us stronger as a group.”
Dallas extends that same respect to leaders he admires; chief among them, Maria Van Laanen, President and CEO of Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. “Maria shows up every day with a genuine passion for our mission and an unwavering drive for excellence,” he says. “But what makes her truly stand out is how deeply she values every person on our team, regardless of their role.”
One of his favorite examples is the small package of homemade cookies from a cherished family recipe that Maria includes in each employee’s holiday gift. “It is a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes. It reminds us that we are seen and appreciated as individuals … If something goes wrong, you know she will be right there beside you, helping to solve the problem first and talking through the missteps later. She is collaborative, supportive and wise enough to bring in other subject matter experts when needed. To me, a great leader is someone you can trust with your vulnerabilities, and Maria models that beautifully.”
Outside of work, Dallas has found a meaningful connection through an unexpected avenue, co-running Digging Deep, the largest ATV racing podcast, with his brother, a former professional ATV racer. Though Dallas was the theatre kid in a family rooted in motorsports — his parents ran a motorsports business while he was growing up, and both his dad and brother raced ATVs — he now plays a key role behind the scenes. Dallas manages audio production, website design and back-end operations, while Cody handles content and interviews.
After more than 150 episodes and six years of production, Dallas reflects, “It has become something much bigger than I ever expected, and more than anything, it is a really special way for me to stay connected with my family and be part of a world that means so much to them.”
While much of his heart is in his work, Dallas enjoys spending time with the greatest love of his life — his cat, Louie. Formerly “Fat Louie” until a successful diet, he quickly and unexpectedly stole Dallas’s heart. The rest, as they say, is history. “One day, I was at a pet store with a friend who needed cat food. This store had an on-site branch of the local humane society, so naturally, I went to ‘just look’ at the cats, which, if you are a lifelong cat lover, you know never ends well. When I walked into the room, Louie immediately walked up to his cage door and reached out his paw to me.”
Dallas continues, “Even though I didn’t have a pet clause in my lease and knew I’d face challenges later, I was completely smitten. My friend pointed out his resemblance to Fat Louie from ‘The Princess Diaries’, so the name was easy,” he says. “Since then, I have been head over heels for Louie. Whether it’s taking him to get his monthly arthritis shots or buying his expensive prescription food for kidney disease, I would do anything for him. And he repays me every day by cuddling up next to me in bed, making me feel loved and valued.”
Louie.
Feeling at home has always been important to Dallas. “I grew up just one town over from where I work now and currently live about 10 minutes from my parents. I see them at least five days a week. Having the people I care about close by has always been a priority.”
Yet, as his career grows, Dallas sometimes wonders what’s next. “I have started to imagine what it might be like to live elsewhere,” he says. “I don’t know that there is one specific place I am drawn to. What matters more to me is finding a sense of community. If I were to move, I would want to be somewhere that allows me to keep growing, both personally and professionally, and where I could continue to be a positive force in the world.”
Without a doubt, his current role feels just like home. And his favorite venue? “This feels like a trick question,” Dallas laughs. “Of course, my favorite venue is the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. From the moment you walk into our stunning four-story lobby to the moment the curtain rises in our modern, beautifully designed Thrivent Hall, it just feels special. Every space in the building is thoughtfully planned and versatile, which allows us to create incredible experiences for both our audiences and our visiting artists. It is more than a venue to me — it is a second home, and I am proud to be part of what makes it shine.”
A subset of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center team at the largest fundraising event of the year, The Gala. L-R: Dallas Janssen (Senior Manager of Ticket Services), Amy Gosz (Chief Programming Officer), Emily Ponkratz (Senior Manager of Development), Doug Tiede (Chief Audience Development Officer), Sherry Rougeux (Senior Manager of Business Engagement), Pilar Martinez (Senior Manager of Guest Experience), Shae Stangl (Client Experience Coordinator), Kristin Schroeder (Senior Manager of Brand Engagement), and Andrea Kuhlow (Event Coordinator). Photo credit: Kim Thiel Photography.
As for shows, Dallas lights up when describing Death Becomes Her. “I caught the pre-Broadway run in Chicago, and it was just so good — funny, campy, over-the-top in the best way … And Jennifer Simard and Megan Hilty? Absolutely iconic together.” Naturally, when Dallas was in New York for the INTIX conference this past January, he saw it again. “It didn’t disappoint.”
He also holds Broadway’s Jessica Vosk close to his heart. “She first came to our venue with the Wicked national tour, and I remember being completely captivated … We had the joy of welcoming her back last season for a solo show, and it was an incredible night of music. Her voice is stunning, of course, but what really sets her apart is her presence as a storyteller. She draws you in completely. I also got to see her again this past January in Hell’s Kitchen while attending INTIX in New York. [It was] another unforgettable experience.”
For Dallas, INTIX has been instrumental in fostering connections within the ticketing community. “I get so much from INTIX, more than I ever could have imagined when I first joined,” he says. “In this industry, especially being located somewhere without a large concentration of venues nearby, it is easy to feel isolated, like you are the only one dealing with the unique challenges of this work. INTIX changed that for me. It has given me a real sense of community — people I can reach out to when I have questions, colleagues who understand the nuances of our world, and a group of friends who truly get it.”
He describes the annual conference as “the biggest piece of continuing industry education I receive all year. I come back from it feeling reenergized, reconnected and ready to take on the next year of challenges … Honestly, I would recommend that any organization involved in ticketing invest in their people with an INTIX membership and send their staff to the annual conference. The return on that investment is immeasurable.”
INTIX has also helped Dallas grow personally. “I have always admired people who can walk into a room full of strangers and effortlessly strike up conversations, without a hint of stress or anxiety. That kind of natural charisma and ease in social situations is something I really wish came more naturally to me. Being part of INTIX has helped me grow in this area — attending conferences, networking with peers, and getting more involved has slowly but surely built my confidence.”
His most memorable INTIX moment was winning the 50/50 raffle at the 2024 conference in Las Vegas. “No one ever expects to win those things,” he says, laughing at the memory of his deer-in-headlights look captured by the event photographer. “Having a bit of unexpected cash in my pocket was a fun surprise, but more meaningful to me was the chance to give a portion of that back to INTIX. I really believe in the power of the PD&E (Professional Development & Education) fund and how it supports growth and equity in our industry. Getting to contribute to that through a bit of lucky fun made the moment even more special.”
Dallas after winning the 50/50 draw in Las Vegas.
Dallas says it best when asked what advice he would share with his younger self: “Trust the process, enjoy the ride, and don’t give up. One day, you will find yourself sitting in the house at a show, in a venue you have helped shape for over a decade, thinking, ‘How is this my life right now?’”
And when Dallas looks back at life, his thoughts return to his grandmother. “When I think about writing that’s truly resonated with me, I come back to my grandmother. After she passed, we discovered a piece she had written about me titled ‘One in a Million.’ In it, she detailed how much she valued our relationship, things like the way I would call her every night to make sure she was OK and to say goodnight. It was so touching and unexpected, and it is something I think about often.”
He adds, “That phrase meant so much to me that I had ‘One in a Million’ tattooed on my arm in her handwriting. It is a way of carrying her love and her words with me every day. So, while I may not have a favorite bestselling author, my grandmother’s writing is the most treasured and impactful I have ever known.”
His impact is a testament to his grandmother’s words, defined by connection and filled with enthusiasm, inspiration, perseverance, understanding and kindness. For Dallas leads — and lives — with authenticity, honesty and heart.
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