SOPAC Exec Director Ondine Landa Abramson Resigns
Anthony Leitner, Chair of the Board of the South Orange Performing Arts Center, today announced the resignation of Ondine Landa Abramson, Executive Director of SOPAC, effective June 30, 2010.
"Ondine Landa Abramson led the organization for over three years through a significant period of growth and productivity, despite the tumultuous economic climate of the last year," says Leitner, expressing his thanks for Ondine's outstanding service and commitment to SOPAC. "On behalf of the Board and staff, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to Ondine for her vision and leadership. She played a monumental role in the development of SOPAC and will be difficult to replace."The SOPAC Board has established a search committee and will be engaging an executive search firm to oversee the search for a successor to Mrs. Landa Abramson.
Landa Abramson began her tenure at SOPAC in November 2006 as Interim Executive Director, and in January 2008 was named Executive Director. During her time at SOPAC, she propelled it to the forefront of the NJ arts community. "It has been a profound honor for me to lead this young organization out of its infancy and into its future," says Landa Abramson. "I cannot emphasize how much I have enjoyed playing a role in the development of SOPAC from the seedling it was in 2006, to where it is today. Patrons come from far and wide to enjoy all of SOPAC's wonderful programs and educational offerings, and I am humbled to have been part of that growth." A few highlights of these accomplishments include:
• Programmed three diverse seasons at SOPAC that resulted in both attendance and SOPAC members doubling since Season One, and included artists such as Dionne Warwick, Marc Cohn, Judy Collins, Sweet Honey and the Rock, Steve Earle, Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble, Elaine Stritch, Judy Collins, and Angelique Kidjo.
· Dramatically increased third-party rentals on SOPAC's Main Stage, including the 2009 11-week run of "Menopause The Musical", as well as a prospective 7-week run in Fall 2010.
· Successfully increased contributing revenues by 17% and 19% respectively over the last three years, despite the difficult economic climate of the past 18 months.
• Introduced SOPAC's Education programs including: School Time Performances, a successful education program designed for NJ schools (2009-10 season welcomed appx. 4,500 students to 15 performances at SOPAC); After School Programs with TADA! Youth Theater, ArtWorks!, Dance Classes with Lydia Johnson Dance, and more. And, built advocacy for these programs through Stage 100, an affinity group for women designed to support the educational and artistic missions of SOPAC.
• Strengthened community partnerships and outreach by: launching the SOPAC Local Business Network; collaborating with local businesses and organizations including Arts Maplewood, Americans for Arts, Discover Jersey Arts, Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure, and the American Heart Association; and debuting "SOPAC Inside Out", a family-friendly outdoor summer performance series in parks in both South Orange and Maplewood.
Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The multidisciplinary arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is also a home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz N' the Hall performances, and Seton Hall Theatre productions. For more information, visit www.SOPACnow.org.
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