SYRACUSE — Syracuse Opera on Thursday announced it has appointed Lisa Smith as its new managing director. Douglas Kinney Frost, producing artistic director for Syracuse Opera, made the announcement in a news release. The move follows the departure of Cathy Wolff, general and artistic director at Syracuse Opera, earlier this year. Syracuse […]
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Opera on Thursday announced it has appointed Lisa Smith as its new managing director.
Douglas Kinney Frost, producing artistic director for Syracuse Opera, made the announcement in a news release.
The move follows the departure of Cathy Wolff, general and artistic director at Syracuse Opera, earlier this year.
Syracuse Opera has also named Sue McKenna as director of marketing and public relations and Bari Tassinaro as production manager, Frost said.
In her new role, Smith will oversee day-to-day business operations, including fundraising and development, financial management, and future planning.
Smith most recently served as regional vice president for the American Cancer Society. She brings experience in system development, staff management, community outreach, and funding development to her role as managing director, Syracuse Opera said in a news release.
McKenna returns to Syracuse Opera following a nearly five-year hiatus from the organization. She most recently served in a similar role for the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse.
In addition to her role as production manager, Bari Tassinaro also returns to Syracuse Opera as the technical director. She previously served as the organization’s director of operations.
In recent years, Tassinaro has remained active as a freelance-stage manager, technical director, and production manager throughout the Northeast, according to Syracuse Opera.
Now in its 39th season, Syracuse Opera offers three main-stage productions each season and year-round community performances, the organizations said in the news release.
Syracuse Opera describes its work as “the one all-inclusive art form that celebrates the beauty of the human singing voice energized through the spectacle of live theater,” according to the news release.
Syracuse Opera productions are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and from Onondaga County, which CNY Arts, Inc. administers.
CNY Arts, Inc. provides support and assistance to individual artists and arts and cultural organizations through access to grants, capacity-building assistance, education and training, and promotional services.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com