Evan Hill ’09 moved to Chicago to pursue a career in improv. Now, he works for the Chicago Cubs and has a World Series ring. How did he get there? By treating a baseball stadium like a stage.
When Hill graduated from Denison with his degree in theater, he imagined a future in performance and comedy — that didn’t include a career in the front office of one of baseball’s most iconic franchises: the Chicago Cubs.
As the Cubs’ manager of fan services and experiences, Hill handles daily operations at the 112-year-old Wrigley Field and stars in the occasional social media video. Fifteen years ago, he was giving tours of the Wrigley Field where Hill’s theatre education and tenure with Denison’s improv troupe, the Burpee’s Seedy Theatrical Company, came in handy.
“My performance background helped me a lot,” Hill says. “I was very comfortable in front of the groups.” His ability to ad-lib jokes, read an audience, and entertain guests caught the attention of management, and Hill was promoted to take over the tour department.
The promotion came with perks. During the Cubs’ legendary 2016 World Series run, Hill attended every home playoff game and flew with the front office to away games. He has a World Series ring from that season, which he laughingly describes as “massive,” but admits it makes for a fantastic icebreaker at dinner parties.
Looking back on his career, Hill reflects on the support he received from mentors along the way: “I think about what people provided me, people like Mark Evans Bryan, and mentors I’ve had throughout my life, and I try to provide the great things that I was given.”
Hill’s journey offers a reassuring reminder to Denison seniors about to graduate: a liberal arts degree does not always lead in a straight line, but the skills it builds can carry you far.
His advice to students is simple: “Get your foot in the door somewhere, then just demonstrate, not through your words, but through your actions,” Hill says. “I believe that opportunities then present themselves for you to advance.”
