New executive director right at home in Cape Coral's Cultural Park Theatre
When Mark Fleming visited his then-seasonal Cape Coral home for the fourth year last January, he expected to be back in his native New Jersey by now. Instead, it’s now his permanent residence due to a revival of his passion for the stage.
The veteran of producing and directing 250-plus shows in the New York metro area became the Cultural Park Theatre’s new executive director in March following the retirement of Michael Moran last fall after 15 years in the position.
More: Meet the Cape Coral resident who really gives a hoot about burrowing owls
“I thought I had retired from theater five years earlier and I was doing real estate,” Fleming said. “When I learned of the opportunity here, I realized how much I missed being involved in putting on events.
“Every day is different. Marketing, design, engineering … it all comes into play. This is a great facility with a great past. My experiences can help us move forward.”
More: Cape Coral real estate: 5 things to know about the current market
“We have a great team,” Fleming added, singling out Joy Ursillo, interim executive director during the recent transition and now back to providing marketing, social media and graphic design expertise; Ellen Neuberger, bookkeeper and administrative assistant; and Kenny Garwold, box office manager.
“He never seems to be in his office” Neuberger said of Fleming. “He can do anything. This is like his home.”
“We look forward to all of his new ideas and concepts,” added Ursillo, saying they’ve attracted many new volunteers recently and welcome more.
Some of the many actors Fleming has worked with include Adrienne Barbeau (Broadway’s original Rizzo in “Grease,” along with many film and TV roles), Tony Award winner Debbie Shapiro Gravitte, Milena Govich (“Law and Order”), Ron Palillo (“Welcome Back, Kotter”) and Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg, star of “The Social Network,” “Now You See Me” and other hit films.
Fleming directed Eisenberg in the title role in an “Oliver!” production in Lincroft, New Jersey, in 1996
More: Cape Coral's new theater, The Belle, opens with summer camps and a full season of shows
“He was studious and showed great depth at such a young age,” Fleming said of Eisenberg.
Fleming also produced several original stage comedies by writers Jane Milmore and Billy Van Zandt (brother of E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt), now published by Samuel French Inc., and performed worldwide.
He’s been meeting with the City Council, the Cape Coral Museum of History and other organizations in planning for potential collaborations toward the theater’s celebration of its 60th anniversary this fall with special shows, concerts, a film festival and more.
“We’re considering having a fun kickoff event in September, plus test out a few things for possibly doing on an ongoing basis,” Fleming said. “All of this programming has tremendous potential for increasing the backing and sponsors we need to put on even better shows.”
Fleming wants to branch out even more with area schools and connect with the New Resident Club of Cape Coral.
August will mark auditions for four musicals and four comedies to be presented this coming season.
As for his performance outlook, Fleming will “always look at everything as an audience member. It fuels me when I sit and watch a rehearsal.”
If you go
What: Cultural Park Theatre
Where: 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral
More information: 239-772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: New executive director right at home in Cape Coral's Cultural Park Theatre
