Michelle Robinson
Houston, TX
(860) 836-5198
michelleleerobinson@gmail.com
Summary: Management and Administrative Professional with 15+ years experience in diverse
managerial, administrative and leadership roles in the arts, hospitality, and retail in non-profit and for profit
organizations. Effective planning, organizing, complex scheduling, and administrative skills; adept at
budgeting, negotiations, and event planning. Expert management of customer service and special handling
of subscribers, donors, company clients, and patrons. Reputation as an effective individual contributor, team
member, and team leader.
Professional Experience
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, Houston, Texas
Director of Marketing and Communications/Development
1/2010 to present
Primary duties include managing over 25 individuals in Front of House, Box Office and Marketing and
Development Office. Oversee Marketing Production classes with up to 10 students. Leading the charge for
all ticket, merchandise and concessions sales. Responsible for departmental budgeting of up to $2 million a
year. Plan all Front of House receptions, opening nights and donor parties and events.
Accomplishments:
• Organized and updated database of over 4500 contacts
• Implemented ticketing software conversion from Choice to Vendini
• Increased awareness/donations through marketing of Robert Wuhl’s world premiere, Hit Lit
• Managed Fundraising event with Brett Cullen, Dennis Quaid, Robert Wuhl and Brent Spiner to
benefit the school – raised over $80,000
HOUSTON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, Houston, Texas
Director of Marketing and Communications/Development and Company Manager
Responsible for ticketing to School of Theatre & Dance patrons, students and the entire University of
Houston main campus community. Front of House liaison to the hired usher company and staff at Miller
Outdoor Theatre and Hermann Park. Company Manager duties include arranging and supplying
transportation and housing for guest artists, payroll and complete hospitality service to guests, actors, crew
and staff.
Accomplishments:
• Increased community visibility via social media, website, on and off campus marketing
• Managed all Opening Night parties with guest artists
• Manage the High School Conservatory director and camp
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA, Houston, Texas
Marketing Manager
2010
Leading the charge for single ticket sales for the 2009-2010 season. Primary duties include building a
significant database of community contacts, developing promotions to extend to local businesses, civic clubs,
government agencies and more. Scheduling single ticket mailings and emails with coordinating promotional
offers, processing donation requests from the surrounding communities and other duties as assigned.
Accomplishments:
• Organized and updated database of over 500 contacts, and actively pursuing partnerships with these
contacts
• Gained experience with Tessitura software
• Increased web visibility, via links on other websites, using GROUPON.com, etc…
TRISH’S TEAS, Orlando, Florida
General Manager
2009
Assisting with marketing, publicity, and group sales, as well as supervisor of shop staff. Help with scheduling,
payroll, daily sales reports, daily reconciliation, inventory, customer service and community relations with
other area businesses. Also oversee groups, parties and other special events.
Accomplishments:
• Created a series of special events called Victorian After Dark, to highlight Trish’s Teas as a destination
for those who wish to have an “experience”.
• Updated and created marketing collateral to increase shop traffic and sales.
ORLANDO OPERA COMPANY, Orlando, Florida
2006 – 2009
Director of Marketing and Communications
Responsible for all marketing, publicity and branding campaigns, as well as supervisor of Publicist, Sales
Office Manager, and Group Sales Manager. Purchased all advertising, negotiated ad trade contracts, pitched
stories, cared for company archives, managed marketing and publicity budget and managed the company
website.
Accomplishments:
• Created media interest in the activities of the company resulting in improved news coverage of special
events.
• Rebuilt the company website to reduce overall marketing expenses and broaden reach and relationship
with current and potential subscribers, patrons, and donors.
• Managed within budget expectations, which included over 180 general ledger accounts with over $700K
in income and $400K in expenses.
HARTFORD STAGE COMPANY, Hartford, Connecticut
Director of Customer & Ticketing Services
2001-2006
2004 – 2006
Responsible for all Box Office Manager duties as well as supervisor for Front of House, Box Office staff,
Subscriptions Manager, House Operations Manager and Assistant House Manager.
Accomplishments:
• Implemented and created inventory methods and coordinated all financial reports for Front of House and
the Box Office.
• Assisted Marketing in implementing all promotions and sales drives.
• Managed 33 general ledger accounts and budget planning.
• Maintained all web sale tracking, programming and weekly comparisons.
Subscriptions Manager
2002 – 2004
Responsible for all aspects of subscription campaign and communicating its effectiveness and progress to
Box Office Manager and upper management. Kept Ticket Representatives informed about subscription
products and policies.
Accomplishments:
• Processed all subscriptions with an average income of $1.5 million per year.
• Programmed subscription season in Prologue Ticketing System.
• Created and maintained Excel budget spreadsheets.
• Organized subscription mailings.
Assistant Box Office Manager
2002 – 2002
Supported Box Office Manager in financial reports, training and supervision of Ticket Representatives,
maintained the House List, handled customer complaints, supervised performance curtains, supported Ticket
Representatives with exchanges, customer issues, and single tickets sales.
Assistant Company Manager
2001 – 2002
Assisted Company Manager in support to actors, transportation, housing; maintained 20 apartments for actor
and staff housing; created and maintained budget lines for all company management accounts; provided
meals for staff during rehearsals; provided 24 hour emergency contact for all staff and actors.
WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL, Williamstown, Massachusetts
Associate Production Manager
Summers of 2001 & 2002
Assisted the Production Manager with all aspects of planning, building and follow-through of 10 summer
shows. Assisted the Business Manager with all aspects of department budgets, organization and
maintenance of all spreadsheets, purchase orders, and oversaw office supply ordering. Supported the
maintenance of fleet of 6 vehicles for festival staff use; supported interns in the purchase and preparation of
meals for 24 hour periods during show changeover. Production Manager of Cabaret series for the 2002
summer.
THE SELF FAMILY ARTS CENTER, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Production Assistant
2000 – 2001
Assisted all incoming Stage Managers with show preparation, rehearsals and performances; created
schedules and recorded and prepared minutes for all production meetings; crew person for the run of all
performances; assisted with all incoming special events and performances.
ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE, Little Rock, Arkansas
Production Assistant,
1998 – 1999
Assisted all incoming Stage Managers with show preparation, rehearsals and performances; created
schedules; crew person for the run of all performances; assisted with all incoming special events and
performances.
DAYS INN SOUTHSIDE, Savannah, Georgia
Front Desk Manager
1993 – 2000
1999 – 2000
Responsible for all front desk operations, handled all sales groups, maintained all franchise requirements,
hired front desk personnel, processed all reports for, handled customer issues,
assisted Housekeeping and Maintenance departments, and assisted General Manager in pricing and special
business discounts.
Weekend Supervisor
1993 – 1999
Responsible for all weekend operations of the hotel.
STUARTS/STUARTS PLUS, Savannah, Georgia
Key Holder
Sales Associate
1992 - 1995
1994-1995
1992-1994
Assisted all managers with daily store operations, opening and closing store, all sales, and customer service.
Education
Armstrong Atlantic State University, Bachelor of Arts in English
Studies included performing arts administration, stage management, concentrated studies in literature,
poetry, costumes, props, event planning.