As the season continues at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, patrons will find something extra-special at our concessions stands – hand-crafted chocolate truffles created by a remarkable 27-year-old businessman!

Adam DeBacker made his first truffles at age 10 for an event at his grandmother’s business, Waverly House gallery. They were such a hit that, with his mom’s help, he launched Truffles E Truffles – a business that now sells locally, online, and ships nationwide and as far as Puerto Rico.

Adam has Down syndrome – and also has a remarkable list of personal and professional achievements! He joined the American Culinary Federation as a teenager, was trained and mentored by local members, and was an invited presenter at the 2016 Regional ACF Conference in Chicago. He enrolled at Ozarks Technical Community College for a culinary degree, but eventually switched to his other passion – theatre. After graduating from OTC with an associate degree, he transferred to Missouri State University. In addition to his studies, Adam was very involved with campus organizations, in crews for campus productions, and working shows at Great Southern Bank Arena and Juanita K. Hammons Hall. He graduated from Missouri State in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in theatre, one of roughly 24 people worldwide with Down syndrome to graduate from college. He earned a certificate in recording arts from MSU in 2024 and continues to take classes.

In addition to his work on campus, Adam has served as stage crew, lighting assistant and more for The Springfield Little Theatre, The Springfield Contemporary Theatre, and The Ozarks Lyric Opera. Adam is currently a part-time recording engineer in the MSU music department,  works at First Unitarian Church of Springfield as an audio-visual coordinator, and is still a chocolatier. Which brings us full circle. We are very excited to offer these blissful bites to our patrons. We invite you to add a sweet taste of Truffles E Truffles to your Broadway show experience!

Learn more at TrufflesETruffles.com.