ARTICLE
Sarasota, April 26, 2018 – Managing Director/ CEO of The Players Centre for Performing Arts, Michelle Bianchi, has stepped down after 17 years with the non-profit organization. Bianchi began her career with the community theatre as a volunteer and worked in various positions until being named CEO by the board of directors in 2008. The theatre will continue with plans to build its new facility in Lakewood Ranch. The state-of-the-art Arnold Simonsen Players Studio opened in the fall of 2017 in the Rosemary District of downtown Sarasota, to house the educational arm of The Players Centre. "It is with sadness that I accept the resignation of Michelle Bianchi but wish her all the best in her future endeavors, said Board Chair Donna DeFant. “The Players Centre will move forward with our mission and vision and in the near future be conducting a search to replace our CEO. Michelle will be greatly missed and she will be a hard act to follow." The Players Centre has been a staple of the downtown community for 89 years, and plans to keep providing residents and visitors of our area quality theatrical productions, and a place to continue learning about the performing arts. “This is a sad time for all of us at The Players Centre. We have always prided ourselves on our family environment and we absolutely feel like we are losing a member of our family. Yet, in the grand theater tradition, there is a relevant saying and that is, “The show must go on!” said Artistic Director Jeffery Kin. “The staff has always been on the top of their game, and with some solid leadership from our Board, the theater will move forward. The office will be a little quieter without her, and all of us at the theater are wishing her well!” The Summer Sizzler series is moving along as planned with subscriptions still available for $45. The 89th season for The Players will begin in the fall at the current downtown location with big name shows like: Annie Get Your Gun, Hairspray and concluding with Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. # # # The Players Centre For Performing Arts 838 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota FL 34236, 941-365-2494, Fax: 941-954-0282 www.theplayers.org. Box Office: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and one hour prior to curtain time. The Players Box Office is located on Tamiami Trail between 10th Street and Blvd. of the Arts.