Rod Caspers

Director * Producer * Event Specialist

Rod is an award-winning director, speech and presentation coach, and special events producer/consultant. He has more than thirty years of experience and has been involved with a wide range of productions and events – from intimate one-person performances to large-scale multi-media events for more than 30,000 attendees. Using his theater background, Rod focuses on the overall experience that is desired for each given audience and the story that needs to be told. As a speech and presentation coach, Rod utilizes his vast experience and expertise to help presenters reach their goals with engaging content and common sense delivery techniques. 

Events with Heart

Rod Caspers –

believes that every moment and element of an event should reflect a commitment to hospitality. He cares about the details, from how someone is introduced and welcomed onto the stage, to the visual impact and layout of the venue to the quality of the sound being used.

Rod believes in creating a warm and welcoming environment that tells a story with a beginning, middle and end. He believes that every guest should leave feeling satisfied and enriched by their experience. He knows that a well-crafted event can engage and inspire guests, leaving a lasting impression on them and helping an organization meet its goals.

As Rod says, “the guests have made the choice to spend their time at our event – they are, in essence, coming to our house. We are hosting them.” So each Rod Caspers event will deliver your message in a way that is thoughtful, inspirational, and interesting. Rod takes a lot of joy in delivering experiences that make the audience feel something special. Call it meaning, call it connection, call it warmth

– Rod calls it heart. 

Services: Representative Events

Directing and Stage Management

Rod has directed and stage managed productions on every scale – from one-person plays to large-scale musicals, award shows and choral works.

Speaker Coaching, Presentation Prep

If you’re a CEO preparing for an all-hands meeting or an author gearing up for a book tour (or anything in between), Rod can get you ready with customized coaching and advice.

Events: Consulting & Producing


Commencements, fundraising galas, and even Human Rights Summits. Rod can help you take your audience on a journey from beginning to end.

Special Events



From state funerals to ribbon cuttings to weddings, Rod knows how to create memorable moments to mark the occasion.

Educational Consulting

Rod has created a variety of curriculum materials, and is often called upon to lead educational workshops that inform and inspire.

Directing and Stage Management

  • Ordinary People

    Austin Theatre for Youth – 1999

  • Texas Medal of Arts

    Long Center, Austin – 2019, 2023, 2025

  • Jim Henson's Musical World at Carnegie Hall

    Carnegie Hall -- 2012

  • Radio City Christmas Spectacular

    starring the Rockettes – 1998-2012

  • Pippin

    The University of Texas at Austin -- 1991

  • Clinton Global Initiative

    Vanderbilt University -- 2023

  • Merrily We Roll Along

    The University of Texas at Austin – 1989

  • Considering Matthew Shepard

    2016-2025
    Austin (Conspirare), Atlanta (Coro Vocati), Cincinnati (May Festival), NYC (Trinity Wall Street), Philadelphia (Mann Center)

Speaker Coaching and Presentation Prep

  • SXSW Event

    UT Austin, Moody Center – 2016

  • UT State of the University

    UT Austin – 1999-2001 & 2012-2015

  • Commencement Training Session

    UT Austin – 1996-2001 & 2012-2015

  • International Live Events Association

    Presentation for Austin Chapter -- 2023

Events: Consulting & Producing

  • Civil Rights Summit

    LBJ Library, UT Austin – 2014

  • Portraits of the American Presidency

    Littlefield Society, UT Austin -- 2003

  • UT Commencement

    UT Austin -- 1995-2001 & 2012-2015

  • UT Gala: Clements Center for National Security

    UT Austin – 2013

  • Ground Breaking for Dell Medical School

    UT Austin -- 2013

  • 75th Anniversary Celebration, School of Information

    UT Austin – 2022

  • Explore UT All-Campus Open House

    UT Austin – 1999-2001 & 2012-2015

Special Events

  • Steinmetz-Smith Wedding

    Wisconsin – 2022

  • Memorial Service for Ann Richards

    University of Texas at Austin – 2006

  • Unveiling of Martin Luther King Statue

    UT Austin – 1999

  • Big XII Development Conference

    Kansas City, 2005 and Austin, 2014

  • Smith-Kelley Wedding

    Chicago – 2023

  • Memorial Service for Barbara Jordan

    UT Austin, 1996

  • We’re Texas Capital Campaign Celebration

    UT Austin – 2014

  • Donna Reed Film Festival

    Marshalltown Iowa, 2012

Education Consulting

  • Future of Fine Arts Forum

    CEDFA, TX Cultural Trust, UT Austin – 2024

  • Theatre International

    Leysin American School, Switzerland – 2006

  • Shelton School, Dallas

    Bi-annual Theatre Workshops – 2001-2025

  • State of Tomorrow

    PBS Series, University of Texas System – 2007

  • Theatre and Media Communications Curriculum

    CEDFA & Texas Commission on the Arts – 2014

Past and Current Clients

Rod along with long-time friend and colleague, Chan Chandler, are often asked to handle selective events with special challenges.  From initial consulting to full-fledged production services, Rod and Chan Event Consulting brings a wealth of practical experience as well as meaningful and entertaining content ideas to anything you have in mind. 

Working with Rod

“Rod Caspers is one of those rare individuals that encompasses all the traits that are desired from a true collaborator - intelligence, thoughtfulness, inspirational, forthright, direct, passionate, and most of all, funny.  He can be marching the masses to a hard deadline, with the clock ticking and the meter running, but through it all, still finds the capacity to laugh and retain the humanity in whatever he creates. I would go anywhere on the planet to work with him.”

R. S. - Designer

“Thank you for hosting an amazing workshop on “Effective Communication.” I loved it! I learned so much and really enjoyed your interactive and engaging presentation style. I found it fun to laugh while learning! I already put some of your suggestions into practice today during a tense conversation with an unhappy admission candidate’s mother . . . and they worked. So. So grateful to you.
What a treat it was to spend the afternoon with you.”


M. M. - Workshop Participant

“I can’t thank you enough for the professionalism you brought to our gala.  It was a magical evening, thanks in large part to your attention to detail.  While many people have commented on Meryl Streep’s remarks and those of Robert De Niro, I am aware of just how smoothly the overall program ran, how much the musical elements added, and how seamlessly it was all executed.  It was an unforgettable evening which we will be talking about for a long, long time.  Thank you!”

S.E. director of Harry Ransom Center

“Thank you for a fabulous class – I had tremendous fun – you taught me a lot about being encouraging and affirming and inspiring as I watched you that week – I learned more than I ever imagined possible about tech design and lighting – you reminded me why I am important in my role as an arts teacher – you generously shared your genius with me and helped me to believe that I too can help kids accomplish great things.”

J.C., directing student

“Rod Caspers seems to have imparted to this youthful company some of his own sterling professionalism and abiding love of all things theatrical. Throughout this director’s long career, his shows have been distinguished by a crispness of production, not a kind that draws attention to itself but a soft-spoken sort that signals a desire to serve the material as fully as possible. It’s always felt to me to have been born out of Caspers’ deep respect and affection for the theatre. He cares, and that has consistently translated into work that is tight and refined and that radiates a warmth from the stage you can feel. Really Rosie is not exception.”

R. F. , actor/critic

“You have exceptional vision and creativity. You have herded us cats with a tremendous sense of professionalism, humor and kindness. I feel truly blessed to have worked alongside you.”

C.S., work colleague

Resume

Contact Rod

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