Ch-ch-ch-changes in Central Florida arts leadership
Today we’re setting aside the fun and taking care of business. There have been updates on the people who keep our arts organizations running, with some changes at the top of notable cultural groups. Let’s get up to speed.
At the Bach Festival Society
of Winter Park: You might recall that back in December, longtime executive director Elizabeth Gwinn departed the organization. She was temporarily replaced by Kathy Berlinsky, the board of trustees vice president. That has become more permanent now as the board has given Berlinsky a three-year contract, she told me.
“I did not anticipate that my appointment as interim would lead to anything else but am very pleased,” Berlinsky wrote. “I have done this kind of work in the past and believe that I can make a significant contribution.”
Richard Russell has replaced her as the board of trustees vice president.
At Mad Cow Theatre:
Speaking of boards of directors, I had previously reported how two of Mad Cow Theatre’s three board members — including president Kathy Godfrey — had left the Orlando nonprofit. The state of Florida requires nonprofits to have a minimum of three adult board members, and according to the theater’s latest playbill, that requirement is again being met.
Wendy Blair is listed in the playbill at the top of the board names, joining Susi Rivera and Mitzi Maxwell, who also serves as the theater’s executive director.
Blair has been a donor to the theater and expressed her support for the organization and Maxwell on social media.
“Mitzi Maxwell, we love you and know that
every piece of your heart is attached to the success of Mad Cow,” Blair posted on Facebook in the summer of 2021. “Your hard work this past year has kept your doors open and people working when many, many venues were closed.”
The theater is looking for a new home as it prepares to vacate its current Church Street location by the end of May.
At FusionFest: The annual grassroots celebration of Central Florida’s diversity will have new leaders — and a new signature show — for its upcoming fifth installment, Nov. 26-27 in downtown Orlando.
Thali Sugisawa, formerly a corporate executive in the medical-devices industry, has been appointed the organization’s new executive director. She has served as a volunteer since the festival’s inception and been the organization’s business and development manager for the past three years. In that role, FusionFest has secured new corporate sponsors and developed a year-round schedule of both in-person and virtual programming.
“I’m delighted to take on this position and to have the opportunity to grow both the annual festival and the organization as a whole, and to establish more partnerships that advance our mission,” said Sugisawa in a statement.
Central Florida-based singer CeCe Teneal will join the organization’s leadership team as entertainment director. Her first order of business: Producing a new signature show for the upcoming fest titled “Kaleidoscope.” It will “showcase the best cultural performers in Central Florida in a unique fusion spectacle,” according to the announcement. Teneal also will curate the lineup of musical artists and dance groups performing during the festival.
“FusionFest creates the opportunity for all cultures to interact and be educated on interesting ideas from all over the world,” Teneal stated. “‘Kaleidoscope’ affords the artists
within those cultures with a unique experience to collaborate with each other. This piece will fuse together an unexpected myriad of performances which will all speak to unity. This role is an honor and a privilege.”
Get more information on FusionFest at fusionfest. org.
At the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras:
Abigail “Abby” Goodin has been named interim executive director following the departure of Briana Scales from the post.
“Beyond the Board of Directors and staff, many of our members and community partners recognize that Abby’s passion and dedication to FSYO’s mission is ‘second-to-none,’ ” wrote board president Eddie Fee in announcing the appointment. “She is positioned to provide a very unique perspective to this appointment, with previous FSYO experiences as a member (student), staff member, and even a short while as board member.”
Goodin joined the FSYO as a member of its Overture Strings ensemble as a student. During her college years, she continued to volunteer at events and chaperoned tours to Europe, New York City and China. Since graduating, she has served as operations coordinator and development and marketing manager.
“After growing up in the Orlando area and experiencing the positive effects of the organization firsthand, I am humbled and honored to be stepping into the role of interim executive director,” she wrote. “It truly takes a village to sustain a program for 65 years, and I know FSYO will continue enhancing the Central Florida community because of the incredible people that make up FSYO’s village.”