Nancy Hayden

Nancy Hayden is DCP Executive Director. She has been part of The Improv Project since its inception in 2012, first as a teaching artist and later through curriculum development and evaluation.

Nancy has over 15 years of experience in youth arts programming and administration. In addition to her work with The Improv Project, Nancy designed and oversaw the curriculum for all youth programs at The Second City Detroit. She went on to become the Artistic Director of The Second City Training Center in Chicago, where she was responsible for the design and operations of their educational programs. Prior to that, she served as Director of Arts for Oakland County, planning their cultural events and overseeing the mini-grant program for the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (formerly MCACA).

Nancy studied theatre at Western Michigan University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in Musical Theatre from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.

Her career in theatre and improvisation/sketch comedy spans over 25 years. Nancy has been a performer, writer, director, producer, and instructor of improvisation and sketch comedy for The Second City in Detroit, Chicago, and Hollywood as well as Detroit area theaters, Planet Ant and GoComedy! Improv. She also has written for television. Most recently, Nancy was head of the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy.

Originally from Detroit, Nancy recently returned to metro Detroit from Oklahoma City.