Florida Studio Theatre would like to welcome our new
Director of Individual Giving: Melody Mora-Shihadeh. Melody shared why she’s excited to join the FST team and what she’s looking forward to this season:
“I’m very excited to be back at Florida Studio Theatre, because I strongly believe in the importance of making live theatre accessible to everyone. As a teenager in Queens, New York, I lacked resources and leadership, I was unfocused and uninspired. It was a high school teacher that encouraged me to join the Theatre Club. I resisted, but eventually joined, and got the opportunity to see my first off-Broadway show through a City funded program. The experience gave me new direction and inspiration.”
“I’m excited to be part of the return of the Stage III series, I enjoy the unique and distinctive material. But I’m also passionate about the Rosemary Artist Housing project. To have quality housing for our visiting artists that is within close proximity to our theatre is an important project for the theatre and for the City of Sarasota.”
Melody returns to FST after an 8 year hiatus. While away, Melody worked for the HSN network in on-air sales and branding. As Supervisor of the on-air guests’ experience, Melody supported high profile celebrities and developed strategies to market new products. From 2012 – 2016 Melody and her family lived in historical Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA, promoting sustainable farming and the slow-food movement. During that time, Melody became the Store Director for the oldest and largest Fair Trade retailer in the country, Ten Thousand Villages, providing a fair market for over 100 Artisans in more than 35 developing countries. Melody has a long history in supporting the non-profit community, including the Arts, Food-Coops and Social Programs helping those incarcerated transition back into society.
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