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Eric Dillner is a successful stage director and bel canto tenor with over two decades of performing arts experience. In addition to his abilities as a performer, Eric Dillner has demonstrated an ability to develop successful artistic productions within tight budget restrictions. Eric Dillner completed a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as a Master of Music in Opera Production at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he received a full tuition scholarship and a yearly stipend. Upon graduation, Eric Dillner undertook dual careers as an opera singer and a stage director. Eric Dillner has performed with notable opera companies across the United States, including New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, and Chautauqua Opera. Eric Dillner has portrayed Count Almaviva in the Barber of Seville, Alfredo in La Traviata, the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, and Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore, among many other roles. Eric Dillner has also sung concert roles with orchestras in the United States, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. As a director, Eric Dillner assisted in mounting productions for the University of Missouri, Columbia; Shreveport Opera; and Opera Memphis, including La Traviata, the Magic Flute, My Fair Lady, Rigoletto, Carmen, and children’s operas, such as the Pied Piper of Hamelin and Little Red Riding Hood. Additionally, Eric Dillner has commissioned several operas, including four works for children and a mainstage production titled Corps of Discovery, A Musical Journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. From 2001 until 2008, Eric Dillner served as the General and Artistic Director for Shreveport Opera in Shreveport, Louisiana. Eric Dillner oversaw an annual budget of approximately $1 million, and brought the company from a $160,000 deficit to a $90,000 surplus in 2 years. Eric Dillner also secured numerous grants and developed valuable marketing initiatives. In 2008, Eric Dillner joined Skylight Opera Theatre as Managing Director, directing a team of 59 staff in the production of six shows and over 100 performances annually. Eric Dillner also restructured the company’s administrative departments, including finance, marketing, development, human resources, and the on-site restaurant and bar operations. In addition, Eric Dillner started a young artist training program and acquired new facilities for the company. In 2009, Eric Dillner founded Strategic Nonprofit Analysis and Planning (SNAAP), a private consulting firm that assists artistic companies with budgeting and strategic planning. Eric Dillner currently serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Eric Dillner's Publications
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About the Straz Center for the Performing Arts by Eric Dillner
November, 2011
Spread across nine acres of beautiful Tampa, Florida grounds, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts was founded in 1987 as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Built as a monument to the diversity, entertainment, and educational value of performing arts, the Straz was built by Tampa residents who desired to construct a venue worthy of the productions they envisioned taking place within its halls.
The rechristening of the Straz occurred quite recently in the venue’s history. In November 2009, David. A Straz, financier, made a generous donation to the performing arts center, the largest donation ever given to a cultural institution in Tampa. In honor of the philanthropist, the venue’s executives rebranded the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center to the Straz.
David Straz’s generous gift only served to draw even more attention to the already popular 24-year-old performing arts center. Since its opening in 1987, over 10 million visitors have walked the Straz’s halls to witness various shows and productions. The Straz, spanning over 335,000 feet, features plenty of room for a large mix of performances such as concerts, grand operas, and special events. To properly take advantage of its cavernous dimensions, the Straz houses six different facilities: Carol Morsani Hall, Ferguson Hall, Jaeb Theater, TECO Energy Foundation Theater, the Shimberg Playhouse, and the Rehearsal Hall.
As of 2009, the Straz added another performance type to its roster of events: the Broadway Genesis Project. Intending to help usher projects onto Broadway, Broadway Genesis hosts world-premiere musicals and plays.
About the Author
Presently serving as the Artistic Producing Director at the Straz Center, Eric Dillner holds a passion for opera and the performing arts dating back to his earliest years. Equally versed in business, vocals, and musical history, Eric Dillner received his Master of Music in Opera Production from Florida State University.
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