APAP Tributes - Lou Hockett

He was one of the early employees at the Southern Arts Federation, now SouthArts where he acted as a liason with a growing group of presenters based in the southern states. He was one of the instigators and chief organizers of the Southern Arts Booking conference held each Fall, which brought together artists and southern presenters. Under Lou’s aegis it became an important stop on the Fall conference circuit and included not only business sessions and a resource room, but also a place for Southern artists to showcase.

In 1987 Lou went to work with Rena Shagan Associates, Inc., a New York based booking organization. While at RSA he worked on the touring of all of RSA’s roster in the Southern and Arts Midwest States. He was especially involved in the touring of theater companies including Alabama Shakespeare Company and Arkansas Repertory Theatre, as well as dance companies Houston Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to name just a few.  Lou was known among his colleagues as a genuinely warm, friendly individual always ready to help both presenters and artists solve problems. He was collegial to a fault and could always see the other individual’s point of view. 

Lou retired some years ago, but kept in touch with colleagues. He loved the outdoor life in Georgia, especially bicycling and canoeing. Fittingly enough, he passed away on January 15 during the APAP conference. He was 78 years old.