Orlando Shakes has hired Sheryl Collins as the new executive director, the nonprofit announced late Friday.
Since December, Collins has been the organisation’s executive consultant. This is a role that includes functions similar to those of the Executive Director. She boarded after Larry Mabray departed in mid-November. Neither Orlando Shake nor Mabry publicly commented on the reasons for his departure.
As executive director, Collins has a slightly different title from Mabray and his immediate predecessor. In announcing her employment, Orlando Shakes revealed that longtime artistic director Jim Helsinger will continue to lead the organization together.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Cheryl over the past few months,” Helsinger said in a theatre announcement. “We look forward to building a bright future for Orlando Shake.”
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Collins, a CFRE International certified accredited fundraising executive, recently spent almost eight years with the Orlando Ballet, being the first director of development and later executive director.
The Ballet Company refused to renew its contract in March 2024 and said it was coordinating its leadership team in search of greater national eminence. At the same time, the company praised Collins for leading the organization through “some of the most challenging and exhilarating moments, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the world premiere of The Nutcracker, 50th anniversary.”
In addition to a major fundraising effort for the $3.6 million “The Nutcracker” production, Collins led the fundraising effort for Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Center, which opened as the company’s new headquarters in 2020.
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Prior to his work with Orlando Ballet, Collins served as vice president of fundraising efforts with the Orlando Health Foundation for 15 years. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Orlando program.
Her professional connections in central Florida have contributed to her employment, said A. Noni Holmes Kidd, director of Orlando Shakes’ board of directors.
“She is someone who understands the Central Florida community and has a deep internal relationship,” Kidd wrote in a statement. “As a proven leader in the arts, her leadership helps us take us to the next level.”
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Board Chairman Rita Rounds said her positive attitude, along with Collins’ expertise, is an asset.
“She tries to shake up not only exceptional experiences but also extraordinary enthusiasm,” she said.
In the 36th season, Orlando Shakes is one of Central Florida’s most famous professional theatres, with a season of contemporary, classic and children’s theatrical plays. It enveloped the highly acclaimed production of the music “Cabaret.”
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With an annual budget of over $4 million, the theatre produces new festivals of theater and runs educational programming.
“As the best performance arts organization, raising awareness of the artistic quality of shaking, both locally and nationally, is on the priority list,” said Collins, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Central Florida. “We are extremely honored to partner with the board of directors of Jim Helsinger and Orlando Sheikh to provide advancements to the cultural standards officers of central Florida theatres.”
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