Last night, The Musical Theatre Festival updated the community on the progress of its 2012 launch at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce's 101st dinner. Musical Theatre Festival leadership includes Ed Sayles, Producing Artistic Director, with more than 30 years as Producing Director of the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, and Michael Chamberlain, Managing Director with numerous years of leadership experience at Xerox and the Auburn Doubledays baseball organization. Both discussed the festival's progress as it prepares to open in 2012.

The team recently added two vital team members to support the festival. Director of Marketing, Nancy Calocerinos will play an integral part of the planning of the 2012 musical theatre event. Calocerinos has nearly 30 years of experience in both the non-profit and theatrical arena. Her previous marketing positions include the Syracuse Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the founding staff member of the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. The festival team also includes Ellen Lis, as Director of Development. Lis has a wealth of nearly 25 years of development experience working with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Philadelphia School System and Rennsselear Polytechnic Institute.

The Musical Theatre Festival will launch as a multi-venue summer theatrical celebration in 2012, boasting rich talent from all over the country. The 2012 season will encompass Auburn's Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and other venues including Auburn Public Theater and The Carriage House Theatre at the Cayuga Museum. The festival will showcase everything from classic musical theatre favorites, to newer crowd pleasing hits. The creation of both full and part-time jobs, as well as increased tourism and visitor business will have a significant economic impact on the region.

Also highlighting the Chamber Dinner was Lauren Dixon, CEO of Dixon Schwabl. Dixon emphasized the value of community support for projects such as the Musical Theatre Festival, which has recently hired Dixon Schwabl for its public relations and marketing needs. Dixon also discussed how she has grown her advertising, marketing and public relations agency in Rochester to be named the No. 1 Best Small Company to Work for in America, by the nationally renowned Great Place to Work® Institute and presented by Entrepreneur®.

Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Andrew Fish commented on his organization's commitment and excitement to be working with the Musical Theatre Festival.

"The Musical Theatre Festival will have a tremendous impact on our community by establishing our region as a national destination for musical theatre and creating careers and jobs in the theatrical arts and tourism sectors," Fish said, adding that the festival will boast an economic impact of nearly $30 million annually. "The Chamber is thrilled to support the efforts of the Musical Theatre Festival and use our annual dinner as a platform to further their efforts. Our hope is that those in attendance will leave with a greater sense of community commitment."

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Jennifer Lynn
Public Relations Assistant
Dixon Schwabl
Advertising | Marketing | Public Relations
Main Phone: 585.383.0380
Direct Phone: 585.899.3261