The Performing Arts—Who owns them…Who cares? November 17, 2007

In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, Orlando Opera Company has planned an exciting line up of community events during the season’s opening weekend centered around the company’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, November 16 – 20, 2007. Among the events which are free and open to the public is a moderated panel discussion which is bringing together an impressive slate of leaders from our community and throughout the nation to discuss “The Performing Arts—Who owns them…Who cares?” with the intention of investigating the future of the performing arts in younger and growing American cities.

The event, to be held at Enzian Theatre, is free to the public and includes lunch. Due to limited seating, reservations are required and can be made by calling the Orlando Opera Company box office: 407-426-1700, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday or in person during business hours at 1111 North Orange Avenue (Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts).


Moderated Panel Discussion:
The Performing Arts – Who Owns Them…Who Cares?
Presented by Orlando Opera Company, in celebration of its 50th Anniversary
Enzian Theatre; 1300 South Orlando Avenue (Maitland, FL)
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 11:00 am (duration: approx. 2 hours)
Free (Lunch included). Reservation required, seating limited.
Reservations: (407) 426-1700

ABOUT THE PANEL

The panel is comprised of professionals in the various segments of society who possess an interest in and commitment to the performing arts to discuss important issues facing the performing arts, including:

· How to interest growing minorities, soon to become majorities?
· What is the role/responsibility of public education?
· Should public funding occur?
· Is censorship through philanthropy adversely affecting creativity?
· Is the current not-for-profit structure dysfunctional?
· Who should govern and make decisions?
· What is the impact of technology?
· Is there still a role for the creative artist?
· What is the role/responsibility of corporations and local foundations?
· What is the relevancy to today’s youth?

Confirmed Guest Panelists include:

Patricia Mitchell (moderator) is currently President and CEO of Ordway Center for
the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Previously, Ms. Mitchell has served as
President of the Literary Network of Greater Los Angeles, Chief Operating Officer of
San Francisco Opera, Executive Director of Los Angeles Opera, and Director of
Community Services for The Guthrie Theatre.

Michael Bronson – Media Consultant to numerous arts organizations in New York,
New York; representative of opera and symphony media concerns to performing
arts unions; expert on performing arts use via internet.

Dr. Joel Hunter – Senior Pastor, Northland Church in Longwood, Florida; Author of A
New Kind of Conservative, expected to release in 2008.

Donna Walker Kuhne – President of Walker International Communications Group,
Brooklyn, New York; marketing consultant to arts organizations, performing and
visual artists, dance companies, Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and non
profit groups.

Bruce Marks – Artistic Director of the Orlando Ballet. Former dancer for American
Ballet Theatre in New York, New York and former Artistic Director of Boston Ballet.

Beth Marshall – Producing Artistic Director of the Orlando International Fringe
Festival; Veteran Thespian of Orlando Civic Theatre and Orlando International
Fringe Festival; Orlando performing arts activist.

Carolyn Minear – Fine Arts Program Coordinator for Orange County Public Schools;
Past President of both the Florida Music Supervisors Association and the Florida
Music Educators Association, and the 2007 FMEA Leadership Award recipient.

Sibille Hart Pritchard – President of Hart Communications; Senior Vice President of
Government and Public Relations for Brooksville Development Corporation; former
chair of the Florida State Arts Council; President-Elect of Orlando Ballet.

Jan Stunkard – Division Coordinator for the National Endowment for the Arts Music
and Arts Education Division in Washington, D.C.

Rick Walsh – Former Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs for Darden
Restaurants in Orlando, Florida; National Restaurant Association Board Member.

ABOUT ORLANDO OPERA COMPANY

Orlando Opera Company is celebrating its 50th Anniversary season in 2007-2008,
having produced the magic and grandeur of live opera in Central Florida since the
company’s first performances at the Orlando Municipal Auditorium in 1958. Through
the years the company has built a national reputation for presenting first-class
singers and producing vivid theatrical productions.

Orlando Opera Company is a non-profit organization, with productions that are
made possible, in part, by generous funding from our patrons, Darden Restaurants,
Inc., Lockheed Martin, The National Endowment for the Arts, Florida Department of
State Division of Cultural Affairs, Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Florida
Arts Council and United Arts of Central Florida.

Official Website: http://orlandoopera.org