According to a press release that went out earlier today, the current Executive Director of the Orlando Fringe Theater Festival (Website), George Wallace, will be stepping down.
Wallace has accepted a position with the IndyFringe in Indianapolis, Indiana as their Associate Director.
According to Fringe’s Marketing Coordinator, Brian Sikorski, “the board will begin their search for a replacement in January. There are not names being considered at this time. The board will install a interim director from within the board that will work hand in hand with the new director through the run of the festival.”
Read the full press release below:
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – November 4, 2016 – The Orlando Fringe announced today that George Wallace, Executive Director of the organization, has resigned his position and will depart Orlando Fringe in early 2017. Wallace presented his resignation to Board President Joyce Arbucias explaining that he has accepted a position as Associate Director with IndyFringe in Indianapolis, Indiana.
George Wallace is currently the second Executive Director for the Orlando Fringe. He began his career with the Fringe as a volunteer when he moved to Orlando from Boston, Massachusetts in 2002 and was named Volunteer of the Year at the 2007 festival.
Wallace became a member of the Orlando Fringe staff as the festival Volunteer Coordinator in December of 2007. After two years leading the volunteers he rose to Director of Operations and shortly after, was named General Manager. In 2014, Wallace was promoted to the position of Executive Director. He is the only member of the Orlando Fringe staff to win the “Spirit of The Fringe” award, an honor he was awarded twice.“Working with George has been a great pleasure. He has done an incredible job encouraging and nurturing the growth of the Orlando Fringe.”, said Joyce Arbucias on behalf of the Fringe Board. “His incredible work ethic, his enthusiasm for every project he takes on, and of course his unwavering dedication to the Fringe will be sorely missed.”
Wallace will be leaving The Orlando Fringe on February 28, 2017 and will starting his new role with IndyFringe on April 1. The Orlando Fringe Board of Directors will be forming a transition team in January to guide the search for a replacement. The Board will also be instating an interim director from within the organization to work closely with the new Director.
“IndyFringe has grown from an annual festival to a year-round operation with a physical building housing two theatres.” said Pauline Moffat, President & CEO of IndyFringe. “The board developed a comprehensive capacity-building plan for 2017-18 designed to lay a solid foundation for the next decade. A significant capacity building two-year grant from Nina Mason Pulliam Trust enables us to appoint George Wallace as our first Associate Director. George will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to IndyFringe and further strengthen our ties with the Orlando Fringe over the coming years.”
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Arbucias adds, “As George is my colleague and friend, I am excited for his new adventures and can’t wait to see all of the wonderful additions he brings to the IndyFringe.”“George has done a great job of making a sustainable business of the Fringe and he will be sorely missed”, said Terry Olson, and Co-founder of The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival.
“George has done an incredible job with the well-managed, growth and evolution of the Fringe Festival in Orlando.”, says Flora Maria Garcia, President and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. “Through his leadership, the Festival has steadily grown its budget and
audiences, making the Fringe Festival one of the most popular cultural happenings in Central Florida… He leaves big shoes to fill.”“While saddened to be leaving Orlando, I am excited for new opportunities in Indianapolis.”, says Wallace. “The past decade at Orlando Fringe has meant so much to me. I have been able to grow professionally and Orlando Fringe will always hold a special place in my heart.”
