MACON, Ga. – Veteran performing arts administrator Roseann Swiergosz (SWEER-gus) has been named executive director of The Grand Opera House, a performing arts center of Mercer University, effective Feb. 3.
Swiergosz, who most recently served as executive director of the Bologna Performing Arts Center in Mississippi, has more than 15 years of experience in the programming, marketing and operation of performing arts centers like The Grand Opera House. From 2001 to 2010 she served as director of marketing and development, associate director and then director of The Valentine Theatre, a 900-seat historic performing arts center in downtown Toledo, Ohio.
“We feel very fortunate to have Roseann Swiergosz coming to lead The Grand Opera House,” said George McCanless, chair of The Grand's Board of Governors and president and CEO of the United Way of Central Georgia. “She has a long and demonstrated track record in managing successful performing arts centers with nearly identical missions as The Grand and in similar communities. Her strengths in marketing, programming and fundraising align very well with the responsibilities of the executive director. I believe her knowledge and experience will make The Grand an even stronger and more relevant cultural and entertainment venue for Central Georgia.”
Before joining The Valentine in 2001, Swiergosz served for four years as director of marketing and public relations for the Franciscan Theatre and Conference Center at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Toledo and has completed post-graduate studies at UCLA, Carnegie Mellon and Bowling Green State University.
“I am very excited to build on the amazing legacy of The Grand,” Swiergosz said. “I look forward to working with the University, Board of Governors, staff, patrons, and sponsors to bring first-class performances to Macon and the Central Georgia region.”
At both the Bologna and The Valentine, Swiergosz managed a wide range of events and programs, including symphony, opera and ballet performances, concerts, plays, and major touring productions like those featured in The Grand's Butler Lexus Broadway Series. She also has experience planning and managing arts education initiatives for all ages.
The Grand's box office and rental coordinator Philip Banze, who has served as interim executive director since last May, will continue to have a significant management role at the theatre.
“Phil has done a tremendous job over the last six months, and we are deeply grateful to him for managing The Grand's operations during this interim period,” McCanless said. “Under his leadership The Grand had one of its most successful fall seasons in years.”
About The Grand
The Grand Opera House, a performing arts center of Mercer University, is Central Georgia's premier historic theatre presenting professionally produced, national touring Broadway productions, concerts, comedy, dance and variety shows as well as a full season of GrandKids arts education performances. Its stage is also home to the Macon Civic Club's annual music revue, the Macon Symphony Orchestra, the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia and several other civic and arts organizations. The fully renovated 1,000-seat theatre is located at 651 Mulberry St. in downtown Macon. The box office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For a complete schedule of upcoming performances, visit TheGrandMacon.com or call (478) 301-5470.
