Art J. Falco is stepping down from his current role as Playhouse Square CEO. His announcement was made public during Monday's Board of Trustees meeting.
Flaco's decision, set to take effect June 30, comes after 28 years at the performing arts center. Current President and Chief Operating Officer, Gina Vernaci, will step in as President and CEO effective July 1.
Falco will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor for Special Projects, focusing on real estate initiatives and specifically The Lumen apartment tower.
“Playhouse Square has had incredible success during Art’s tenure, rising to become a leader and role model in the industry. We are fortunate to have as a successor someone who was not only an integral part of creating our strategy, but who is one of the industry’s leaders in her own right,” said James Ratner, chair of Playhouse Square’s Board of Trustees.
“Given her national network and reputation, we are grateful that Gina’s love of Cleveland and belief in Playhouse Square’s mission have kept her here.”
Falco has had many accomplishments throughout his time at PlayHouse Square, including leading the growth of Playhouse Square into the nation’s largest performing arts center outside of New York and the growth of Playhouse Square from five performance spaces to 11 with an average annual attendance of more than one million guests, and so many more.
At the same time, Vernaci led the creation of a performance and education powerhouse that has the largest Broadway series season ticket holder base in the nation.
“It has been an honor to lead an organization with such an incredibly talented team of staff and volunteers and with such a supportive board. It is so gratifying to know we have made such a positive contribution to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio,” said Falco.
“My decision to make this transition was made so much easier knowing we have such a talented and capable leader in Gina ready to take the helm.”
The annual Playhouse Square Center Stage Benefit on July 24, will honor Art J. Falco, with proceeds supporting the organization’s area development mission and the organization’s President’s Award. The award, given annually to an individual, foundation, or organization in Northeast Ohio whose leadership perseverance and dedication contributed to the success of Playhouse Square, will become the “Falco Award.”
