Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
"The Hett" is Southern Illinois' premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles from St. Louis.
The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass
Saturday, September 20 // 7:30 p.m.
The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass is America’s premier large brass ensemble. A group that always reflects the diverse makeup of men and women in the American culture, RMPBB is dedicated to the notion that music is a gift to be enjoyed by everyone.
This group is a family-owned and operated business that had its beginnings on the streets of New Orleans. On the advice of family patriarch Ellis Marsalis, the group created a concert format that breaks the usual barriers between genres and strives to create a connection between the audience and performers.
FRIENDS: $36.00 Adult / $32.00 Senior / $18.00 Youth
PUBLIC: $45.00 Adult / $40.00 Senior / $22.50 Youth
Lanter Lecture: Maxine Clark
Thursday, September 25 // 3:00 p.m.
Maxine Clark is the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop®, a teddy-bear themed retail-entertainment experience. In 2004, Build-A-Bear became a public company traded on the NYSE. Today, there are nearly 500 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide and over 250 million stuffed animals have been sold worldwide. In 2025, Maxine was inaugurated into the International Toy Hall of Fame and named by Chain Store age magazine as one of the 20 Most Influential Pioneers in Retail.
Maxine stepped down from her CEB – Chief Executive Bear – position in 2013 to start her next act: to help unleash the potential of women and minority entrepreneurs and to use her entrepreneurial skills to create platforms and places that give access to more St. Louis families. Her latest venture is the Delmar DivINe™ - the transformation of the historic St. Luke’s Hospital in the St. Louis West End, into a multi-use real estate development opened in late 2021.
Maxine is an emeritus member of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Board of Directors and a recent past member of Footlocker, Inc. Board of Directors. She is also an emeritus member of the Washington University Board of Trustees and an emeritus member and former chair of Goldfarb School of Nursing. She now serves on the boards of Arch Grants, PBS national, and Nine PBS boards. In 2017, Maxine was named to the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame, and in 2015 she was named Woman of the Year by the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation.
This event is sponsored by the university’s annual Wayne E. Lanter series, which invites influential business leaders and entrepreneurs to share their insight and strategies for success. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend the lecture in the Hett.
Admission is free, tickets are required.
Distinguished Speaker: Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger
Tuesday, September 30 // 7:00 p.m.
From underdog to legend, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger’s story captured hearts worldwide. The inspiration behind the blockbuster film RUDY, he’s the first player ever carried off Notre Dame’s field on the shoulders of his teammates. Now an Emmy-winning speaker, Rudy shares his powerful message of perseverance and hope—“Never Quit. Yes, I Can.” Experience the real man behind the movie who continues to inspire audiences everywhere to dream big and defy the odds.
FRIENDS: $20.00 Adult / $16.00 Senior / $12.00 Youth
PUBLIC: $25.00 Adult / $20.00 Senior / $15.00 Youth
FREE for McKendree University Students, Faculty, and Staff
Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular
Saturday, October 11 // 7:30 p.m.
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande bring you the blockbuster show “Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular.” We invite the audience to join us in a celebration of life with lively music and dance, beautiful costumes, and a virtual altar to those we have lost. This show, an homage to Mexico’s rich cultural heritage, blends graceful traditional dance with vibrant storytelling that also tips a hat to the great Mexican singers of yesteryear such as Vicente Fernandez, Pedro Infante, Lucha Villa, and more.
“Eternamente” transcends mere spectacle it’s a portal into the heart of us all, where every twirl and note will become a tribute to the beauty of remembrance. Join this unforgettable fiesta, where tradition and spectacle converge, and the spirit of Día de los Muertos is celebrate “Eternamente.” Who knows – La Muerte herself may make an appearance!
FRIENDS: $36.00 Adult / $32.00 Senior / $18.00 Youth
PUBLIC: $45.00 Adult / $40.00 Senior / $22.50 Youth
Generously sponsored by Anonymous Friends.
