Fox Theatre Hires Lucy Lawler-Freas as Director of Programming

Atlanta's Fox Theatre today proudly announces the hiring of Lucy Lawler-Freas as Director of Programming. Ms. Lawler-Freas will assume the role on Oct. 11, 2017 with a focus on bringing world-renowned concerts, comedy and other contemporary events to the Fox Theatre. Lawler-Freas will maintain her role as partner and senior talent buyer at Rival Entertainment with both roles and organizations remaining independent from one another. In the newly created position, Lawler-Freas will share booking responsibilities with Allan Vella, President and C.E.O, and Shelly Kleppsattel, Booking and Contract Manager, to offer guests the best in entertainment.

"As Atlanta continues to grow and offer more entertainment opportunities, we created the position of Director of Programming as a means to remain a strong competitor in the market. Lucy Lawler-Freas brings a wealth of experience in the industry. We are very pleased that Lucy Lawler-Freas has joined the Fox Family," Vella said.

Lawler-Freas has over 20 years of experience in booking premier talent and executing grand events ranging in capacity from 300 to 22,000 guests. She brings extensive knowledge of creating and maintaining event budgets, marketing programming strategies and contract negotiations. Previously, Lawler-Freas served as a talent buyer for House of Blues Concerts Club Network for three years and Concert/Southern Promotions (now Live Nation) for over four years, where she booked Music Midtown's productions from 1998 to 2001. In 2004, she started Rival Entertainment, with her partner Josh Antenucci, and has become the "go to" girl in the Atlanta market for creating unique and memorable concerts, from three sold-out Outkast homecoming shows at Centennial Park to the final Prince shows at the Fox Theatre, among others.

"When launching Rival Entertainment almost 15 years ago, the first performances I booked were two sold out Pixies shows at the Fox Theatre. It was such a great sense of accomplishment, especially since the Fox is simply magical and I've admired its beauty since I was a little girl. Ever since then, every show that I organize at the Fox - I always pause to take it all in. Each and every time, I am still in awe. I could not be more excited and proud to join the creative, passionate, and hardworking Fox Theatre team," said Lawler-Freas.

Lawler-Freas will work out of the Fox Theatre offices, as she continues to co-lead Rival Entertainment's concert and festival productions teams.

"Since founding Rival Entertainment with Lucy over a decade ago, our shows at the Fox Theatre have played a pivotal role in earning our chops as a contender in the concert business. The Pixies, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Smashing Pumpkins, Prince - these are some of our company's best works and inspire us to do what we do every day," said Josh Antenucci, co-founder of Rival Entertainment. "Lucy's opportunity to work intimately with the Fox's world-renowned team while continuing to grow Rival's repertoire of unique live concert events is a best-case scenario for all involved."

Lawler-Freas completed her undergraduate degree at the Georgia State University. Aside from the entertainment industry, she is passionate about spending time with her two small children and husband, while also supporting the efforts of area animal rescues.

Lucy Lawler-Freas was selected with the assistance of Tom Truitt of Buffkin-Baker (MusicRowSearch), who conducted an extensive personnel search on behalf of the Fox Theatre.

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