Witty. Seasoned. Proud extrovert. Podcasting blogger. Charismatic and affable divo, ‘Travissimo’ Whitlock possesses a certifiable knack for storytelling; all things operatic; and is the perfect companion for the modern adventure. A natural teacher, yet perpetual student, and master of the well-loved Classics— gin, vodka, and whiskey— he’s either creating thoughtful content, or mixing a highfalutin cocktail for himself or the gals… and just wait until he’s told you about one of his many celebrity encounters.
“Whatever my parents or a schoolbook didn’t teach me, I learned from Catwoman.”
Experience
With a solid track record as an arts leader, Travis Whitlock has produced over 2,700 programs for more than 750,000 people and visitors since the mid 2000s. Equipped with personality and the high level savvy required for production, television/radio/film, and audience-based industries, Travis has garnered expert experience managing and training large teams in people-focused roles with national arts organizations such as the Grant Park Music Festival, Central City Opera, the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Humanities Festival, and the historic Fine Arts Building in Chicago.
Certifications
Formally trained as project manager and as an Agile coach applying scrum, Travis utilizes business analysis and a lightweight framework to help teams adapt and respond to complex, evolving demands. Using iterative methodology, Travis Whitlock commands the forward-thinking approach required throughout progressive, incremental elaboration and is uniquely aware of the power produced by data-driven change.
Software knowledge: Companion, Minitab, Microsoft Project, Airtable, Monday, and Asana
Opera | Performer
Admired for a vibrant and elegant tenor, Travis Whitlock has also been described as an intelligent singer full of character and virtuosic presence. His roles include Gherardo/Gianni Schicchi, Ferando/Cosi fan tutte, John Lewis/The March, Arithmétique/L’enfant et les sortilèges, Angel/Impresario, Guillot/Manon, and Boles/Peter Grimes. Travis has been a seasonal actor with Lyric Opera of Chicago and his appearances included, Pallbearer and Fisherman/Porgy and Bess (Francesca Zambello), Village Mobster/Don Giovanni (Robert Falls), Footman and Cook/Rusalka (David McVicar).
In commercial concert, Travis has taken a regular place with the US and international tours of Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy, Game of Thrones, Legend of Zelda, NieR, and has performed the blockbuster soundtracks of Interstellar, Spiderman, Batman: Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Gladiator, and the Da Vinci Code conducted by Hans Zimmer.
Travis has also performed background vocals for rap icon, Chance the Rapper, in front of 100,000 people in an epic, headlining festival-closer at Lollapalooza, one of the most widely known summer music events throughout the United States.
