About RW Consulting
RW Consulting is led by Ross Willits, a long-time leader and trusted advisor in the Minnesota arts community.
Areas of Expertise
Organizational Management:
Budgeting, Financial Management, Fund Raising, Grant Writing
Events:
Planning, Ticketing, Marketing
Digital Infrastructure:
Website Development, E-commerce, Elementor, Data-driven features
Organizations Served
As Consultant or Board Member:
Theatre 55, Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association (MBOTMA), MCA Arts PAC (Treasurer), Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (Board Chair, 2019–2024, Board Member since 2012), Arts Roseville, Arts & Culture Partnership of St. Paul
As Employee:
The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, Steppingstone Theatre for Youth Development, Triple Espresso Company, Cricket Theatre
Artistic Endeavors
Producing:
Dozens of productions over 30 years for Cricket Theatre, Triple Espresso Company, SteppingStone Theatre, and Theatre 55. Produced large-scale indoor and outdoor festivals for MBOTMA.
Playwriting:
Triple Espresso (contributing writer to the long-running comedy produced nationwide), The Miser (adaptation of Molière produced by Madison Repertory Theatre)
Performing & Media:
Member of bluegrass and Americana bands since 1980. Occasional guest host of Bluegrass Saturday Morning on Jazz88 KBEM.
Education and Affiliation
Leadership Bluegrass:
International Bluegrass Music Association Class of 2025 (best class ever)
University of Minnesota:
M.A. & Ph.D. Theatre Arts
St. Olaf College:
B.A. Theatre & English
My Philosophy & Mission
For decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of the artistic process and organizational development. While pursuing my doctorate in Theatre, I realized my greatest strength wasn’t as an actor or director—it was as a facilitator. I listen, imagine, ponder, and then build practical solutions.
I engage in the arts because I believe deeply in our need for meaningful connection. When we truly know each other, we can build a beloved community of shared interests that ripple out into daily life.
From fundraising and marketing to operational systems and personnel management, I strive for solutions that strengthen organizations, empower the people within them, and connect them deeply to the broader community.
“Change the world. It Needs it.” —Bertolt Brecht
A note on AI and this website
This site was developed by me. That is not to say that I did not use AI to create it. All modern web tools have AI features built in to assist with SEO, with readability, with accessibility, and some basics of layout. It would be irresponsible to offer web development services without strong understanding of how much web development is being done today.
I used Gemini to assist with text editing and formatting suggestions using my original copy. Images were also developed from my own prompts using Gemini.
I have decades of graphic design and illustration experience with standard Adobe tools as well as more recent work with Canva and Affinity. AI is no substitute for good taste and an eye for composition. As tools evolve, so do artists.
When a ticketing system failed us, Ross developed an in-house system that is not reliant on third parties, and allows immediate access to data and revenue.
Richard Hitchler, Theatre 55
As a leader for MBOTMA, Ross was dedicated to cultivating inclusive spaces where people formed authentic connections
Boom Bilotta-Burke, Rosie Daze Band & MBOTMA Board Member