Michelle Robinson , TX (860) 836-5198 [email protected]

Summary: Management and Administrative Professional with 15+ years experience in diverse managerial, administrative and leadership roles in the arts, hospitality, and retail in non-profit and for profit organizations. Effective planning, organizing, complex scheduling, and administrative skills; adept at budgeting, negotiations, and event planning. Expert management of customer service and special handling of subscribers, donors, company clients, and patrons. Reputation as an effective individual contributor, team member, and team leader.

Professional Experience

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, Houston, Texas 1/2010 to present Director of Marketing and Communications/Development Primary duties include managing over 25 individuals in Front of House, Box Office and Marketing and Development Office. Oversee Marketing Production classes with up to 10 students. Leading the charge for all ticket, merchandise and concessions sales. Responsible for departmental budgeting of up to $2 million a year. Plan all Front of House receptions, opening nights and donor parties and events. Accomplishments: • Organized and updated database of over 4500 contacts • Implemented ticketing software conversion from Choice to Vendini • Increased awareness/donations through marketing of Robert Wuhl’s world premiere, Hit Lit • Managed Fundraising event with Brett Cullen, , Robert Wuhl and to benefit the school – raised over $80,000

HOUSTON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, Houston, Texas Director of Marketing and Communications/Development and Company Manager Responsible for ticketing to School of Theatre & Dance patrons, students and the entire main campus community. Front of House liaison to the hired usher company and staff at Miller Outdoor Theatre and Hermann Park. Company Manager duties include arranging and supplying transportation and housing for guest artists, payroll and complete hospitality service to guests, actors, crew and staff. Accomplishments: • Increased community visibility via social media, website, on and off campus marketing • Managed all Opening Night parties with guest artists • Manage the High School Conservatory director and camp

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA, Houston, Texas 2010 Marketing Manager Leading the charge for single ticket sales for the 2009-2010 season. Primary duties include building a significant database of community contacts, developing promotions to extend to local businesses, civic clubs, government agencies and more. Scheduling single ticket mailings and emails with coordinating promotional offers, processing donation requests from the surrounding communities and other duties as assigned. Accomplishments: • Organized and updated database of over 500 contacts, and actively pursuing partnerships with these contacts • Gained experience with Tessitura software • Increased web visibility, via links on other websites, using GROUPON.com, etc…

TRISH’S TEAS, Orlando, Florida 2009 General Manager Assisting with marketing, publicity, and group sales, as well as supervisor of shop staff. Help with scheduling, payroll, daily sales reports, daily reconciliation, inventory, customer service and community relations with other area businesses. Also oversee groups, parties and other special events. Accomplishments: • Created a series of special events called Victorian After Dark, to highlight Trish’s Teas as a destination for those who wish to have an “experience”. • Updated and created marketing collateral to increase shop traffic and sales.

ORLANDO OPERA COMPANY, Orlando, Florida 2006 – 2009

Director of Marketing and Communications Responsible for all marketing, publicity and branding campaigns, as well as supervisor of Publicist, Sales Office Manager, and Group Sales Manager. Purchased all advertising, negotiated ad trade contracts, pitched stories, cared for company archives, managed marketing and publicity budget and managed the company website. Accomplishments: • Created media interest in the activities of the company resulting in improved news coverage of special events. • Rebuilt the company website to reduce overall marketing expenses and broaden reach and relationship with current and potential subscribers, patrons, and donors. • Managed within budget expectations, which included over 180 general ledger accounts with over $700K in income and $400K in expenses.

HARTFORD STAGE COMPANY, Hartford, Connecticut 2001-2006

Director of Customer & Ticketing Services 2004 – 2006 Responsible for all Box Office Manager duties as well as supervisor for Front of House, Box Office staff, Subscriptions Manager, House Operations Manager and Assistant House Manager. Accomplishments: • Implemented and created inventory methods and coordinated all financial reports for Front of House and the Box Office. • Assisted Marketing in implementing all promotions and sales drives. • Managed 33 general ledger accounts and budget planning. • Maintained all web sale tracking, programming and weekly comparisons.

Subscriptions Manager 2002 – 2004 Responsible for all aspects of subscription campaign and communicating its effectiveness and progress to Box Office Manager and upper management. Kept Ticket Representatives informed about subscription products and policies. Accomplishments: • Processed all subscriptions with an average income of $1.5 million per year. • Programmed subscription season in Prologue Ticketing System. • Created and maintained Excel budget spreadsheets. • Organized subscription mailings.

Assistant Box Office Manager 2002 – 2002 Supported Box Office Manager in financial reports, training and supervision of Ticket Representatives, maintained the House List, handled customer complaints, supervised performance curtains, supported Ticket Representatives with exchanges, customer issues, and single tickets sales.

Assistant Company Manager 2001 – 2002 Assisted Company Manager in support to actors, transportation, housing; maintained 20 apartments for actor and staff housing; created and maintained budget lines for all company management accounts; provided meals for staff during rehearsals; provided 24 hour emergency contact for all staff and actors.

WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL, Williamstown, Massachusetts Associate Production Manager Summers of 2001 & 2002 Assisted the Production Manager with all aspects of planning, building and follow-through of 10 summer shows. Assisted the Business Manager with all aspects of department budgets, organization and maintenance of all spreadsheets, purchase orders, and oversaw office supply ordering. Supported the maintenance of fleet of 6 vehicles for festival staff use; supported interns in the purchase and preparation of meals for 24 hour periods during show changeover. Production Manager of Cabaret series for the 2002 summer.

THE SELF FAMILY ARTS CENTER, Hilton Head, South Carolina 2000 – 2001 Production Assistant Assisted all incoming Stage Managers with show preparation, rehearsals and performances; created schedules and recorded and prepared minutes for all production meetings; crew person for the run of all performances; assisted with all incoming special events and performances.

ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE, Little Rock, Arkansas 1998 – 1999 Production Assistant, Assisted all incoming Stage Managers with show preparation, rehearsals and performances; created schedules; crew person for the run of all performances; assisted with all incoming special events and performances.

DAYS INN SOUTHSIDE, Savannah, Georgia 1993 – 2000 Front Desk Manager 1999 – 2000 Responsible for all front desk operations, handled all sales groups, maintained all franchise requirements, hired front desk personnel, processed all reports for, handled customer issues, assisted Housekeeping and Maintenance departments, and assisted General Manager in pricing and special business discounts. Weekend Supervisor 1993 – 1999 Responsible for all weekend operations of the hotel.

STUARTS/STUARTS PLUS, Savannah, Georgia 1992 - 1995 Key Holder 1994-1995 Sales Associate 1992-1994 Assisted all managers with daily store operations, opening and closing store, all sales, and customer service.

Education

Armstrong Atlantic State University, Bachelor of Arts in English Studies included performing arts administration, stage management, concentrated studies in literature, poetry, costumes, props, event planning.