Nancy Hays is a professional singer, dancer, actor and entertainer. Nancy has worked as an opening act for major artists including Conway Twitty, Lee Greenwood, George Burns, Ronnie Milsap, Glen Campbell, Danny Thomas, Rita Rudner, The Smothers Brothers, Marty Stuart, Dan Seals, the Bellamy Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers and many more. Nancy is a successful recording artist who has recorded six albums and toured the UK six times with her own original music since 2000. Nancy’s country music song “Come Dance with Me” (with choreography by Jo Thompson) is an international hit and was named one of the most popular line dance songs in the world by multiple publications in Europe and the United States. The song won Crystal Boot Award in 2024 in Blackpool, England!
Nancy began her professional performing career playing the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz at the Little Theatre on the Square as a teenager. Nancy worked as a singer and dancer at Six Flags over Mid-America and at Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nancy began her professional performing career playing the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz at the Little Theatre on the Square as a teenager. Nancy worked as a singer and dancer at Six Flags over Mid-America and at Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee.
After her first season at Opryland USA, Nancy was hired by Opryland to join a special elite cast that performed in Hawaii and Las Vegas and made a television show. Nancy sang demos for Nashville songwriters, wrote and recorded her own music and appeared on popular shows in Nashville including the WSM Waking Crew and the Nashville Noon Show as well as other shows on TNN during her 20s. Nancy graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana with a degree in Advertising as a Bronze Tablet Scholar (top 3 percent) and also holds a Master’s Degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
While continuing to sing country music with her band, Nancy Hays & the Sawyer Brothers, Nancy began singing big band music in the 1990s at the Willowbrook Ballroom with the Bobby Benson Orchestra. During this same period, she also appeared in the Nashville North country music club, the Country Music Inn and at State Fairs and Festivals. During this time, Nancy began recording music specifically for dancers and developed her own ballroom and line dance series of DVDs and CDs featuring music she was performing for her live audiences. Her series “The Romance of Dance” drew national attention and her products were featured in an infomercial on Fit TV and on various shopping networks. As a sought after dance instructor and entertainer, Nancy was hired to make appearances on TV shows on ABC, the Discovery Channel, Fox, WGN, Wild Chicago and others. Her products also were reviewed favorably by The Washington Post, the LA Times, The Chicago Tribune, the Las Vegas Sun, Variety, Billboard and many other publications. On NBC Nancy taught Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce, and David Cassidy how to Salsa with style.
While continuing to sing country music with her band, Nancy Hays & the Sawyer Brothers, Nancy began singing big band music in the 1990s at the Willowbrook Ballroom with the Bobby Benson Orchestra. During this same period, she also appeared in the Nashville North country music club, the Country Music Inn and at State Fairs and Festivals. During this time, Nancy began recording music specifically for dancers and developed her own ballroom and line dance series of DVDs and CDs featuring music she was performing for her live audiences. Her series “The Romance of Dance” drew national attention and her products were featured in an infomercial on Fit TV and on various shopping networks. As a sought after dance instructor and entertainer, Nancy was hired to make appearances on TV shows on ABC, the Discovery Channel, Fox, WGN, Wild Chicago and others. Her products also were reviewed favorably by The Washington Post, the LA Times, The Chicago Tribune, the Las Vegas Sun, Variety, Billboard and many other publications. On NBC Nancy taught Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce, and David Cassidy how to Salsa with style.
Nancy with Legendary Comedian, George Burns, for whom she was an opening act.
Following media success of “The Romance of Dance”, Nancy was hired to perform her own ballroom show in Las Vegas with the full Caesar’s Palace Orchestra in the Circus Maximus Showroom. Nancy is one of the only act’s in Caesar’s history to stage her show with the audience dancing along with her her concert in that venue.
Nancy’s song “Come Dance with Me” became an international hit in 2004 and soon the demand for live performances increased particularly in Europe where the song was the rage with line dance fans in clubs and festivals and was being “covered” by many other artists. Nancy made tours of the UK in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017, and 2024. She also worked an extended engagement performing her own show at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas during National Finals Rodeo and on an international cruise.
Since 1991, Nancy Hays has been a wife and mother and raised four children (all of whom have careers in the arts). Because Nancy’s kids share their mother’s love of music, Nancy has began incorporating them into her live performances. The family appeared multiple years at Chicago’s Summerdance Festival in Grant Park and at performing arts centers for Christmas music and at the Drake Hotel, the Hilton Orrington and at other venues.
Nancy’s song “Come Dance with Me” became an international hit in 2004 and soon the demand for live performances increased particularly in Europe where the song was the rage with line dance fans in clubs and festivals and was being “covered” by many other artists. Nancy made tours of the UK in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017, and 2024. She also worked an extended engagement performing her own show at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas during National Finals Rodeo and on an international cruise.
Since 1991, Nancy Hays has been a wife and mother and raised four children (all of whom have careers in the arts). Because Nancy’s kids share their mother’s love of music, Nancy has began incorporating them into her live performances. The family appeared multiple years at Chicago’s Summerdance Festival in Grant Park and at performing arts centers for Christmas music and at the Drake Hotel, the Hilton Orrington and at other venues.
Nancy and three of her children; Mary, Matt and Caroline, recorded a country music Christmas song “Light in the Winter” in 2014 and made several television and live performances to promote the song to the public in 2014 and 2015.
In 2015, Nancy was cast as Judy Garland in a musical theatre production being developed by her former conductor (Robert Benson) called “Heavenly Evening”. Nancy went on to reprise Judy Garland’s character in the Chicago debut of “Boy from Oz”, a musical about the life and music of Peter Allen at Stage 773 Theatre. Reviewers loved Nancy’s Judy, noting her uncanny ability to portray the essence of this iconic star without imitating her.
Nancy teamed up with Michelle Lauto and Robert Ollis to portray Judy Garland once again for Judy & Liza, The London Palladium--A Tribute to sold out crowds in Chicago in 2016 and to critical acclaim at the Metropolitan Room in New York in May of 2017 (see press section).
In 2015, Nancy was cast as Judy Garland in a musical theatre production being developed by her former conductor (Robert Benson) called “Heavenly Evening”. Nancy went on to reprise Judy Garland’s character in the Chicago debut of “Boy from Oz”, a musical about the life and music of Peter Allen at Stage 773 Theatre. Reviewers loved Nancy’s Judy, noting her uncanny ability to portray the essence of this iconic star without imitating her.
Nancy teamed up with Michelle Lauto and Robert Ollis to portray Judy Garland once again for Judy & Liza, The London Palladium--A Tribute to sold out crowds in Chicago in 2016 and to critical acclaim at the Metropolitan Room in New York in May of 2017 (see press section).
Her reviews were outstanding for her portrayal of Auntie Mame at Light Opera Works (see press section). She also recorded and performed with Nancy Hays & The Heffernans and made a TV appearance of the song "Mr. Santa" on WCIU. She performed for 2,000 line dancers in Las Vegas in December of 2016 and returned to the U.K .for another successful country music tour in summer 2017. Nancy appeared as the lead character "Mama Rose" in Gypsy at Jedlika Performing Arts Center in 2017, where she also starred as Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie along with her real life daughter, Mary Heffernan, playing Laura (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, see press section). Nancy was then cast in another leading role at Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works). She played the comical contralto role of Ruth who transforms from a maid into a dancing and sword fighting pirate, in the Pirates of Penzance in 2018, accompanied by a full orchestra.
Nancy Hays then reprised her role as Judy Garland, this time with Alexa Castelvecchi as Liza, Robert Ollis musical directing, along with production consultant Nick Thornton and a group of talented musicians to create an expanded theatrical version Judy & Liza: The London Palladium Show, A Tribute. This new version had an extended run at the beautiful 700 seat theater, The Palace in the Wisconsin Dells from 10/12-11/4/18. After receiving additional critical acclaim at this venue, another version (including holiday selections) made its debut at Club Arcada in St. Charles, IL on 12/16/18.
Nancy returned to the stage in 2019 to portray Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Music Theater Works and M'Lynn (Sally Field role in the film) in Steel Magnolias at Timberlake Playhouse (Equity Theater). She also performed a concert in San Francisco with cast mates who have appeared at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Nancy performed her Romance of Dance program at Freedom Hall with an outstanding band and dancers in February of 2020.
Nancy performed as Judy Garland again in the re-launch of the Palladium Concert Show at the Greenhouse Theater Center, co-produced by Nancy Hays Entertainment, Inc. The reviews were outstanding. TV and radio appearances on Dean Richards WGN Morning News and radio programs showcased the show's strong vocal performances.
During the pandemic, Nancy Hays made virtual performances on Donuts and Pie Fitness, Ana Caban and Patricia Friburg's podcasts and was featured in many articles including; Billion Success, ShoutOut LA and 6 Feet Apart. She made many dance instruction and performance videos solo and with her family band, Nancy Hays & the Heffernans. Nancy also narrated 10 audiobooks for Audible.
Nancy performed a third adaptation of the Judy & Liza London Palladium Concert and was featured in the Chicago Tribune in 2022 with her own daughter, Mary Heffernan portraying Liza Minnelli. On Mother's Day weekend, the duo performed a brunch show at Le Piano and a concert at Theatre of Western Springs. Other concerts followed at Skokie Theater and the historic Wood Theater in New York in 2023. On Mothers Day 2025 they will relaunch the show once again at Le Piano and be part of Chicago Cabaret Week, with a concert scheduled at the Fulton Street Collective. See JudyLizaTribute.com
In 2023 and 2024, Nancy made TV appearances on international radio broadcasts and WGN TV's Daytime Chicago and Spotlight Chicago. On the Spotlight Chicago TV appearance, Nancy performed a jingle she wrote for the program. The TV broadcasts featured Nancy's new music video highlighting her album's title track, Heart Like a Train, and starring her daughter, Caroline Heffernan as the leading actress. The music video was filmed on and off trains by award winning cinematographer, Stephan Mazurek. Nancy returned to Freedom Hall to perform her one woman show, Best of Broadway, which concluded with a standing ovation. She also performed in the role of Sue in a staged reading of CARGO, a new musical in development and starred in a dramatic short film, Victim, directed by Virgil Wayne which premiered at the New York Chain Film Festival in Manhattan.
Nancy's fall release of her 12” vinyl album, Heart Like a Train, produced by Randy Gardner, included eight songs written by Nancy along with melodies by Grammy Award Nominated Irish American violinist Liz Carroll’s melodies, and Country Hall of Fame songwriters, Matraca Berg, Ronnie Somoset and Charlie Black. Her sixth UK tour included singing on the stage of Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry as well as festival and club performances for six weeks throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
In 2025, Nancy performed with Lush Life Jazz Band at the Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. She also appeared with Lush Life at Wine Cellars in Geneva where she also accompanied herself on guitar for two Valentine's Day Shows. She headlined a one week Caribbean "Come Dance with Me" line dance cruise promoted by CMA Award Winning DJ and dance instructor, Kevin Richards.
Nancy looks forward to performing with the Romance of Dance Orchestra at Grant Park's Summerdance in August of 2025 and headlining another Caribbean cruise later in the year, as well as announcing other upcoming performances.
Nancy Hays then reprised her role as Judy Garland, this time with Alexa Castelvecchi as Liza, Robert Ollis musical directing, along with production consultant Nick Thornton and a group of talented musicians to create an expanded theatrical version Judy & Liza: The London Palladium Show, A Tribute. This new version had an extended run at the beautiful 700 seat theater, The Palace in the Wisconsin Dells from 10/12-11/4/18. After receiving additional critical acclaim at this venue, another version (including holiday selections) made its debut at Club Arcada in St. Charles, IL on 12/16/18.
Nancy returned to the stage in 2019 to portray Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Music Theater Works and M'Lynn (Sally Field role in the film) in Steel Magnolias at Timberlake Playhouse (Equity Theater). She also performed a concert in San Francisco with cast mates who have appeared at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Nancy performed her Romance of Dance program at Freedom Hall with an outstanding band and dancers in February of 2020.
Nancy performed as Judy Garland again in the re-launch of the Palladium Concert Show at the Greenhouse Theater Center, co-produced by Nancy Hays Entertainment, Inc. The reviews were outstanding. TV and radio appearances on Dean Richards WGN Morning News and radio programs showcased the show's strong vocal performances.
During the pandemic, Nancy Hays made virtual performances on Donuts and Pie Fitness, Ana Caban and Patricia Friburg's podcasts and was featured in many articles including; Billion Success, ShoutOut LA and 6 Feet Apart. She made many dance instruction and performance videos solo and with her family band, Nancy Hays & the Heffernans. Nancy also narrated 10 audiobooks for Audible.
Nancy performed a third adaptation of the Judy & Liza London Palladium Concert and was featured in the Chicago Tribune in 2022 with her own daughter, Mary Heffernan portraying Liza Minnelli. On Mother's Day weekend, the duo performed a brunch show at Le Piano and a concert at Theatre of Western Springs. Other concerts followed at Skokie Theater and the historic Wood Theater in New York in 2023. On Mothers Day 2025 they will relaunch the show once again at Le Piano and be part of Chicago Cabaret Week, with a concert scheduled at the Fulton Street Collective. See JudyLizaTribute.com
In 2023 and 2024, Nancy made TV appearances on international radio broadcasts and WGN TV's Daytime Chicago and Spotlight Chicago. On the Spotlight Chicago TV appearance, Nancy performed a jingle she wrote for the program. The TV broadcasts featured Nancy's new music video highlighting her album's title track, Heart Like a Train, and starring her daughter, Caroline Heffernan as the leading actress. The music video was filmed on and off trains by award winning cinematographer, Stephan Mazurek. Nancy returned to Freedom Hall to perform her one woman show, Best of Broadway, which concluded with a standing ovation. She also performed in the role of Sue in a staged reading of CARGO, a new musical in development and starred in a dramatic short film, Victim, directed by Virgil Wayne which premiered at the New York Chain Film Festival in Manhattan.
Nancy's fall release of her 12” vinyl album, Heart Like a Train, produced by Randy Gardner, included eight songs written by Nancy along with melodies by Grammy Award Nominated Irish American violinist Liz Carroll’s melodies, and Country Hall of Fame songwriters, Matraca Berg, Ronnie Somoset and Charlie Black. Her sixth UK tour included singing on the stage of Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry as well as festival and club performances for six weeks throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
In 2025, Nancy performed with Lush Life Jazz Band at the Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. She also appeared with Lush Life at Wine Cellars in Geneva where she also accompanied herself on guitar for two Valentine's Day Shows. She headlined a one week Caribbean "Come Dance with Me" line dance cruise promoted by CMA Award Winning DJ and dance instructor, Kevin Richards.
Nancy looks forward to performing with the Romance of Dance Orchestra at Grant Park's Summerdance in August of 2025 and headlining another Caribbean cruise later in the year, as well as announcing other upcoming performances.