Florida Grand Opera Appoints New Managing Director and Hires New Technical Director

Florida Grand Opera (FGO) is proud to announce the appointment of a new Managing Director, Kevin G. Mynatt, who concurrently serves as the company's Director of Production. FGO also welcomes Erin Turner in the role of Technical Director.

As Managing Director, Mynatt will oversee all day-to-day operations for the company and report to General Director and CEO Bob Heuer. He held the same position previously at Central City Opera in 2007, coordinating all of the company's administrative functions.

"I am eager to use my skills and production experience to assist the General Director, allowing him to focus on a bigger picture," said Kevin Mynatt, FGO's Managing Director and Director of Production.

Mynatt looks forward to continuing to keep one foot in production, holding titles simultaneous. No stranger to dual roles, he held two production titles in tandem at Opera Omaha and Chautauqua Opera.

Mynatt was the Director of Production at Portland Opera for seven years, where he managed a team of 15 full-time and 200 part-time staff members and was solely responsible for production operating budgets. This position also involved the creation of the Black Box Studio Theater in the 2005-2006 season, a project he labored over from the purchase through the renovation and inauguration. He also worked in a Lighting Designer capacity for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Des Moines Metro Opera.

Mynatt has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theater from Central Missouri State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theater and Lighting Design from Brandeis University.

Florida Grand Opera also extends a warm welcome to its new Technical Director, Erin Turner. From coordinating set design and lighting to scheduling meetings, Turner ensures that all technical aspects of each production are carried out in a timely fashion, reporting to the Director of Production.

Turner most recently served as Production Manager for Cape Playhouse during the 2011 summer season, which encompassed the production of six shows. Often working on a consultant and contractual basis, he has held the position of Technical Director with six different organizations, some of which include Boston Lyric Opera and New England Conservatory Opera.

A theatrical jack-of-all-trades with more than 20 years experience, Turner worked behind-the-scenes in numerous art forms - dance, theater, opera, etc. - in a variety of capacities, from Stage Manager to Lighting Designer and Master Carpenter. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Design and Technology from Northeastern University.

Florida Grand Opera was formed in June 1994 by the merger of Greater Miami Opera, founded in 1941, and The Opera Guild Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1945. Celebrating its 71st season of continuous performances during the 2011-2012 season, Florida Grand Opera stands as one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Florida. In addition to producing standard repertoire, Florida Grand Opera also presents lesser known operas, as well as commissions and produces new operas. Annually, main stage performances are attended by nearly 70,000 people, and education and outreach programs serve over 50,000 students. FGO offers several highly successful outreach and educational programs, including its internationally-recognized Young Artist Studio. Founded in 1984, the program attracts young singers who train and enhance their professional skills during a 35-week Miami residency.

Florida Grand Opera, recognized for funding by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding is also provided, in part, by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council. Program support is provided by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council. Florida Grand Opera is a Resident Company of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and a member company of OPERA America. American Airlines is the Official Airline, Intercontinental Miami is the Official Hotel and Steinway & Sons is the Official Piano of Florida Grand Opera. For more information on Florida Grand Opera, visit us at www.FGO.org.

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