Shallcross to Head New Rapallo Theatre

The new 506-seat performing arts theatre to be built in The Art District at Rapallo on the corner of Williams Road and US 41 in Coconut Point in Estero has booked its lead player. 
 
Maureen Quilty Shallcross has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Programming Director for The Rapallo Theatre according to an announcement by chairman Debra Wallace.  Shallcross brings over 20 years of theater programming and operations expertise to the organization.
 
Shallcross started her career as an entertainment manager in Atlantic City, New Jersey for six years, arranging headliner support and directing lounge performances including talent search, auditions and bookings.
 
Subsequently, from 1989 to 2000, she worked at the 1400 seat Naples Philharmonic Center for the Performing Arts, serving her final four years as Vice President/Director of Operations and Programming.
 
Over her eleven years at the Naples Philharmonic, Shallcross had multiple responsibilities including organizing the training and utilization of the 1,800-member volunteer corps, coordinating the annual fundraising campaigns, overseeing the security, maintenance, food and beverage and production departments as well as negotiating and booking artist contracts.
 
Shallcross left the Naples Philharmonic Center in 2000 to accept the position of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the 500-seat and 1,200-seat Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center located in York, Pennsylvania.
 
In York, Shallcross oversaw the $17.3 million renovation and expansion of The Strand-Capital, creating the vision for the center as a premier performing arts facility as well as managing the center€™s $4 million annual budget.
 
Now, as Chief Operating Officer and Programming Director for The Rapallo Theatre, Shallcross brings her invaluable expertise to the center as the actual theater design comes to fruition and construction begins late this fall. 
 
The landmark 20,600 square foot, 506-seat Rapallo Theatre will be a world-class venue for national and international touring artists, limited plays and musical theater, independent film, leading speakers on topical subjects, school-time learning programs, a series of festival weeks as well as local ensembles and theatrical companies seeking high-quality performance space.
 
Shallcross€™ immediate mandate is listening to the residents and civic organizations of Estero and Bonita Springs, creating a responsive 11 month-a-year program tailored to the local market and subsequently locating, funding, scheduling and booking appropriate artists and programs for The Rapallo Theatre as well as planning an outdoor stage for festivals and other public events. Shallcross has already met with several local arts groups, civic leaders and funding stakeholders. Preliminary scopes of programming and the The Rapallo Theatre $21.9 million fundraising campaign were launched last week.
 
€œIt€™s our goal to design, fund, build and operate a successful and vibrant community theatre offering a diverse venue of cultural arts and entertainment for both families and mature adults living in the Estero/Bonita Springs area,€ said Shallcross €œAnd so far, we€™re on a fast track to opening night.€.

For information regarding The Rapallo Theatre call Debbi Wallace or Maureen Shallcross at (239) 948-2929.