Blackfriars Theatre Announces New Marketing & Outreach Manager

The Blackfriars Theatre Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Megan Colombo as the new Marketing & Outreach Manager for Blackfriars Theatre. Thanks to a Regional Economic Development grant award through New York State Council on the Arts' Workforce Development Program, Blackfriars has been able to achieve something they've never done before in their 68-year history: add a third full-time staff member. The Marketing & Outreach Manager will be responsible for increasing and diversifying the theatre's patron base, growing brand awareness, and elevating the theatre's visual messaging.

Ms. Colombo is a local marketer, performer, writer, and educator. She joins the Blackfriars team having worked as the Marketing Assistant for the Yelp community here in Rochester, NY, where she coordinated all sponsorship trade and created content for the community's e-newsletter. Previously, she worked in sales/patron services at both the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Nashville Opera. In her role at the Aquinas Institute, she helped to conceptualize and optimize a full digital campaign and branding overhaul. She is a member of the Greater Rochester Women's Council and lover of all things local. Ms. Colombo holds a BM in Music Education from Nazareth College, and happily resides in the Park-Meigs neighborhood.

Artistic & Managing Director Danny Hoskins is thrilled to welcome Ms. Colombo into the fold. "She carries with her a great sense of pride and passion for the Rochester community and the Blackfriars family. Over the past three years, we've raised the bar and exceeded expectations for a small, professionally-minded and artistically-ambitious theatre company. Adding Megan to the mix only amplifies the potential of this team. I have no doubt she will be integral in the next phase of our journey and instrumental in our success."

Ms. Colombo's deep love for the Rochester theater community was born here at Blackfriars, where she was seen in the '16-'17 Season production of Assassins as Guiseppe Zangara. She's equally as comfortable as an artist and patron as she is as a marketing professional. Not only has she contributed to the Rochester theatrical community as an actor, but as a playwright as well. Her theatrical work has been selected for the Geva/Writers & Books 2pages2voices festival, and Fringe's 24 Hour Play Festival. In her new position, though, her main focus will be to steward Blackfriars into the broader conversation of the Rochester Arts Community.

"One of my main goals in this role is to widen the theatre's reach and cultivate an audience base that recognizes this style of artistry as a cultural necessity," Ms. Colombo explains. "Blackfriars has established themselves as the imminent leader in providing progressive, challenging programming to the Rochester community. With the creation of the Marketing & Outreach Manager position, the organization can continue to evolve and flourish, all while producing even more poignant and captivating stories for patrons. I am elated to be jumping into this role at such a critical time in Blackfriars' long history, and cherish the opportunity to serve this community."

Ms. Colombo began her new position on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. As the third full-time staff member at Blackfriars Theatre, she joins Artistic & Managing Director Danny Hoskins and Development Manager Mary Tiballi Hoffman.

PHOTO: Megan Colombo

Blackfriars Theatre, a professional, not-for-profit theatre, has entertained audiences for over 65 years in downtown Rochester, NY. Our mission is to enrich, entertain and inspire our community through exceptional theatrical arts while engaging local talent. Parking is available on site. Handicapped seating is available. For more information regarding Blackfriars Theatre, please visit www.blackfriars.org.

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