Dreamweaver Marketing News, PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA NAMES MELIA PETERS TOURANGEAU AS PRESIDENT AND CEO

For Immediate Release:

May 4, 2015

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA NAMES MELIA PETERS TOURANGEAU AS PRESIDENT AND CEO

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra announced today the appointment of Melia Peters Tourangeau as its new president and CEO. Tourangeau comes to Pittsburgh from Salt Lake City, Utah, where she has served as president and chief executive officer of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) for the last seven years.

Tourangeau, 43, will join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in August of this year. She succeeds James A. Wilkinson, who is retiring.

“Throughout her tenures at orchestras in Utah and Michigan, Melia Tourangeau has shown herself to be a creative, collaborative and strong leader,” said Richard P. Simmons, chair of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees. “We are confident she is the right person to support and grow the world-class artistic excellence for which the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has always been known.”

The search committee spent about eight months conducting a national search for Wilkinson’s replacement. Tom Todd, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra trustee and chair of the search committee, said that Tourangeau met all of the committee’s demanding criteria.

“We were looking for someone with not only proven leadership skills, a passion for orchestral music and a track record of increased earned and contributed revenues, but also a leader who believes in our great Orchestra’s commitment to becoming an increasingly vital part of the fabric of our community and has the capability to effectively communicate our strong case for support to all our diverse constituencies,” said Todd. “Melia fits that bill in all respects.”

In 2008, Tourangeau became the head of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the only combined 52-week orchestra and opera organization in the United States. Under her leadership, USUO, which has an $19-million operating budget and 85 contracted musicians, increased ticket revenue by more than $1 million, returned its Annual Fund to pre-recession levels and secured millions in bridge funding over a four-year period while holding expense increases to a 6% increase over six years.

Prior to joining USUO, Tourangeau was president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan, where she was responsible for the overall financial, operational and administrative management of the organization. She joined that symphony in 1997 as education director and moved through ranks to director of operations and vice president and general manager before being named president. She began her administrative career with the Akron Symphony Orchestra as education coordinator.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Melia Tourangeau as our next president and CEO,” said Manfred Honeck, music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.  “I am very excited about the future of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra given her sure-handed leadership, commitment and strategic vision. Melia's deep love and passion for music is obvious and I look forward to working closely together with her.”

Tourangeau received her Bachelor of Music degree in 1994 from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a major in piano performance and a minor in musicology. In 2007, she earned a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on nonprofit leadership from Grand Valley State University.

“Having a president and CEO who has experience as both a musician and administrator and has shown a real commitment to open lines of communication with all constituencies is an exciting development for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra,” said Micah Howard, chair of the Orchestra Committee and member of the Search Committee. "The musicians are looking forward to working with a leader who has shown such dedication to advancing symphonic music." 

“The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is one of the finest ensembles in the world and it is an honor and privilege to be chosen as their new president and CEO,” said Tourangeau.  “I am thrilled to work with Maestro Honeck, the musicians, the staff and the Board in continuing to foster the international reputation of this exceptional orchestra, sharing our core work and building strong relationships with our current and future audiences, as well as creating new opportunities to have the orchestra engage in meaningful ways with the greater Pittsburgh community and beyond.”

Tourangeau will move to Pittsburgh this summer with her husband, Mike, and two children, Olivia, 10, and Zacharie, 7.

Dreamweaver Marketing News, STEM-BASED ENGINEERING PROGRAM FOR LOCAL STUDENTS

STEM-BASED ENGINEERING PROGRAM FOR
LOCAL STUDENTS CULMINATES WITH COMPETITION THIS MAY

PITTSBURGH—Over the last five years, WQED has engaged several hundred middle school students through its Design Lives Here program.

Participating educators and students of the program utilize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities and content from Design Squad Nation episodes (airs Sundays at 7:00 p.m. on WQED-TV) and

Made possible by ANSYS, MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA), Bombardier Transportation, and American Design Lives Here is presented by WQED in partnership with the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) and Inventionland.

On Friday, May 1, 2015 these students will come to Inventionland in RIDC Park for “Invention Convention”, a day-long competition event that includes three hands-on/minds-on engineering challenge activities and the opportunity to speak with engineering mentors and staff. Students will be grouped into teams across schools and given challenges such as “Zip Line” where they are challenged to design and build a carrier that can transport a Ping-Pong ball from the top of a zip line string to the bottom in four seconds or less using a limited supply of materials. The challenge activities are supported by local engineering mentors, giving students and teachers the opportunity to interact with professional engineers throughout the day. 

In addition to the on-site engineering challenges, students complete one final challenge – the Invention Challenge. Prior to attending “Invention Convention”, students will identify a problem in one of eight invention categories: kitchen/culinary; outdoors; pets; sports/hobbies; toys (non-electronic); vehicles (transportation); wearables/fashion; and miscellaneous. In teams, they will invent a solution to that problem, and illustrate or build a specialized model (prototype) of their invention. Students will then have the opportunity to “pitch” their ideas and products to the professional inventors at Inventionland and receive specific feedback and coaching regarding those creative designs.
interactive resources, with support from local engineers, to learn about the engineering design process and complete a number of engineering challenges throughout the school year. Aimed at encouraging area kids to learn more about and consider a profession in engineering, this year’s program includes seven returning schools with the addition of three new participating schools. Approximately 230 students in grades 5-8 will represent these different southwestern Pennsylvania educational stakeholders in preparation for the culminating competition.

Bridge,

To view the complete release click here.

NOTE TO WORKING PRESS: Photo opportunities are available on Friday, May 1, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Inventionland located at RIDC Park, 585 Alpha Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238. A copy of the day’s agenda is available by request to mpisano@wqed.org. Please note that you will have to sign a waiver to enter the building. 

Dreamweaver Marketing News, Pittsburgh CLO's 2015 Summer Season to Feature a GLEEful Cast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org
Images: Press Room
User: pressroom Pswd: pittstadium
 

Pittsburgh CLO's 2015 Summer Season to
Feature a GLEEful Cast Complete with the Brightest Stars of Stage & Screen! First Casting Announcement for Summer Festival of Musicals
Pittsburgh, PA • April 22, 2015 — Pittsburgh CLO’s 2015 Summer Season will be highlighted by stand-out performances from Broadway’s best and distinguished stars of film and television, including Jenna Ushkowitz from Fox’s hit series “Glee” and the dynamic duo of Kim Zimmer and Robert Newman from "Guiding Light."

MARY POPPINS, June 9 - 21

from LindseyBliven.com

Lindsey Bliven joins Pittsburgh CLO for the first time in the title role of Mary Poppins. Her credits include the National Tours of Mary Poppins, A Chorus Line, Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz.  In addition, she appeared as Mary Poppins at The Walnut Street Theatre and Music Theatre Wichita.  She holds a BFA in Musical Theater Performance from The University of Oklahoma, Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre.

David Elder returns to Pittsburgh CLO as Bert after starring as Don Lockwood in Pittsburgh CLO’s 2014 critically-acclaimed production of Singin’ in the Rain.  Mr. Elder previously appeared in the Broadway productions of Curtains, 42nd Street; Kiss Me, Kate; Titanic; Once Upon a Mattress; Beauty and the Beast; Damn Yankees and Guys and Dolls. He recently starred as Bert at The Walnut Street Theatre and Music Theatre Wichita’s productions of Mary Poppins where he showcased “a big, broad smile that draws us into the wonder of this show!” –Kansas.com

Mason Park first burst onto the small screen in Nickelodeon’s “iCarly” and has amassed a multitude of impressive credits in his young career spanning television, film and stage.  He was introduced to Pittsburgh CLO through the National High School Musical Theater Awards, during which time he was featured on PBS’s reality series “Broadway or Bust.”  Mr. Alexander is making his Pittsburgh CLO debut in the roles of Miss Andrews, Miss Smythe and Queen Victoria.  He is currently a student at Point Park University and is the founder of P.A.R.K. Productions.
GYPSY, July 10 – 19

Robert Newman returns to Pittsburgh CLO to play Herbie after appearances in The Full Monty and A Little Night Music. He has guest-starred on several television shows including “Homeland,” “N.C.I.S.,” “Criminal Minds,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Santa Barbara,” “General Hospital” and his celebrated role as Josh Lewis on “Guiding Light.”  Mr. Newman has been nominated for four Soap Opera Digestawards for his role as Josh Lewis. In addition, he was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.Amanda Rose last appeared on the Pittsburgh CLO stage as Betty Schaefer inSunset Boulevard and returns to Pittsburgh in the role of Louise.  She previously starred as Nessarose in the Broadway and National Touring production of WICKEDin addition to her work on the National Tours of Doctor Dolittle and Oklahoma! Ms. Rose has starred in productions for Walnut Street Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus and Goodspeed Opera House in addition to many others throughout the country.

Kim Zimmer makes her Pittsburgh CLO debut as Mama Rose.  She is best known for her role as Reva Shayne on CBS’s “Guiding Light,” for which she won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama.  She also appeared on “Seinfeld,” “Babylon 5,” “University Hospital,” “Santa Barbara,” “Designing Women” and countless other television shows.  Her work in the theater includes the National Tour of WICKED and countless regional roles.  She joins her former co-star on “Guiding Light,” Robert Newman, in this American musical masterpiece.

THE WEDDING SINGER, July 24 – August 2Kirsten Scott is a Pittsburgh native and Carnegie Mellon University graduate who counts among her many credits Broadway roles in Jersey Boys, Big Fish, Follies andHairspray.  She returns to Pittsburgh CLO as Holly after appearing in Curtains in 2010.     

Matthew Scott charmed audiences last summer as Emmett in Pittsburgh CLO’sLegally Blonde The Musical.  He now returns as Robbie to join his wife Kirsten Scott, in the cast of The Wedding Singer. Mr. Scott appeared in the Broadway productions of Sondheim on Sondheim, Jersey Boys, A Catered Affair and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in addition to regional roles in Beaches, Company, The Light in the Piazza, Sunset Boulevard (Pittsburgh CLO, opposite Liz Callaway), West Side Story, My Fair Lady, South Pacific and countless others. 

Jenna Ushkowitz is making her Pittsburgh CLO debut as Julia, the role first made famous by Drew Barrymore in the film “The Wedding Singer.”  Ms. Ushkowitz began her career at a very young age on the set of “Sesame Street.”  She went on to appear in episodes of “Reading Rainbow,” “As the World Turns,” and many other television series before making her Broadway debut in The King and I in 1996.  Ms. Ushkowitz returned to Broadway in Spring Awakening in 2008 alongside future co-star Lea Michele before they both rocketed to fame as cast members in the hit Fox television show “Glee.”

Additional casting news will be released in the weeks ahead, including casting details for MAN OF LA MANCHA!

Tickets for Pittsburgh CLO’s 2015 Summer Season

Tickets are on sale now at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for further information.
Pittsburgh CLO offers family-affordable and flexible Season Ticket packages to fit even the busiest summer schedule.  See three shows for under $50 when you buy Season Tickets today!
Full and partial packages are now available.  The 6-Show Premium Series allows season ticket buyers to see six award-winning summer musicals.  Flexible packages allow buyers to design their own season.  Season Ticket Buyers can choose a 3-Show Series or the Pick-3 Series.  A complete list of options is available atpittsburghCLO.org.  Season Ticket packages may be ordered online or by calling 412-281-2822.
Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges the generosity of PNC for its sponsorship of the PNC Spotlight Series, our Season Sponsors: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV, and Giant Eagle for its sponsorship of select half-price children’s tickets for MARY POPPINS.