Long Beach Opera has more than doubled its budget in the last five years, eliminated a longstanding deficit, and balanced its finances for the last two years. The company is poised for the next phase in its development- to facilitate its continuing growth, artistic and general director Andreas Mitisek and the board of directors have announced the appointment of arts professional Lori Burrill as the company’s first executive director.
“As we push through the million-dollar sound wall, we also need to increase our organizational capacity to manage the growth,” said Mitisek. “Lori will lead us through a five-year strategic plan which will include additional productions in Long Beach and extended reach into Los Angeles, Pasadena and Orange County with the goal of keeping ticket prices affordable to the general public. In addition, we plan to launch an endowment campaign down the road.”
Board president Sue Bienkowski said the board is excited that Burrill has joined the Opera. “She has the right blend of experience and personality to grow the organization in its fourth decade and help Andreas provide opera that is ‘more of the different,'” she said.
Previously, Burrill served as a management and fundraising consultant working for non-profit organizations throughout Southern California, such as the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Chapman University, Pacific Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Society of Orange County. She also served over a 12-year period in a variety of capacities at Orange County’s professional opera company, Opera Pacific, from director of production to managing director. “I am pleased to be partnering with Andreas Mitisek as the Long Beach Opera’s first executive director,” said Burrill. “For many years now, I have watched Long Beach Opera develop into a truly cutting-edge and quality opera theatre company here in Southern California. I look forward to partnering with Andreas and the Board to insure the company’s future both locally and on a national level.”
