Flying House Productions Announces Frank Stilwagner as New Executive Director

After a four month long nationwide search, Flying House Productions (FHP) has announced the appointment of Frank Stilwagner as its new Executive Director. Flying House Productions (FHP) is the organization that oversees Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus, as well as the ensemble singing groups Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes. After interviewing 32 candidates, The FHP Board of directors unanimously voted that Mr. Stilwagner is the man they want to lead the Choruses into their 33^rd season, and beyond. Mr. Stilwagner assumed his new title on Monday June 18, 2012.

 

Board president, Mark Schmitt remarks, “Frank’s extensive background in arts and non-profit management, broad professional network, obvious passion for our Mission and Vision, proven ability to manage complex processes with professionalism and grace, and his working knowledge of our organization make him the ideal choice.”

 

Mr. Stilwagner has worked as FHP’s Director of Marketing since 2007; prior to that he was the Director of Marketing for Village Theatre (2004-2007), the Marketing and Public Relations Director at Kirkland Performance Center (2000-2004), and the Marketing Director for ArtsWest in Seattle (1998-2000). He has worked in the arts industry since 1987 on stage, behind the scenes, and in administration. He is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and worked in the Chicago theatre industry for 10 years prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest in 1997.

 

Mr.Stilwagner commented on his new role with FHP in an e-mail to the entire 600+ FHP family, “I am honored to be the next Executive Director of Flying House Productions. I can’t wait to get started. I know each of you deeply care about the organization; and I look forward to working together to build a strong financial foundation for the Choruses. The passion I have for this organization is hard to express in words—it drives me.”

 

Flying House Productions has an on-going membership of over 620 individuals (300+ in Seattle Men’s Chorus; 250+ in Seattle Women’s Chorus; plus over 80 volunteers). Together, the Choruses produce five major concerts each season, attended by over 40,000 people, with a total of 20+ performances in greater Seattle, as well as a number of appearances in other communities statewide, including Spokane, Wenatchee, Tacoma, and Mount Vernon. FHP’s annual operating budget is just over $3 million (48% earned, 52% contributed). External support comes from a variety of sources, including over 3,200 individual donors, local and national grants, in-kind contributions, and a number of popular major fundraising events.