Aurora Theatre Welcomes New Staff Members

In the midst of its 20th anniversary season, Aurora Theatre announces the addition of Liz Hartnett and Sergio Rubio! Now with a full-time staff of 15, an apprentice company of 11 and more than 300 artist contract workers, both Hartnett and Rubio will help guide and grow the organization into its next twenty years and beyond!

"As Aurora Theatre continues to grow, we need to expand the scope of our possibilities. These are two people with a tremendous passion not only for the arts, but for the way we serve the community here at Aurora," said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director. "As we look to the future, our success demands that we expand both our programming and the physical space in which we operate. Liz and Sergio, along with our top-notch staff, will help us to realize the potential Aurora Theatre has for making a difference."

Hartnett has spent the last three years as Development Director for Synchronicity Theatre. As the primary fundraiser, Hartnett was essential to the campaign that led to the theatre securing their permanent home in 2014. In Hartnett's new role at Aurora, she will be Director of Institutional Giving, helping to ensure the growth and financial security of the busiest theatre in the Southeast.

"I'm thrilled to be joining such a dedicated, motivated and supportive team at Aurora Theatre, especially in their landmark 20th anniversary season," said Hartnett. "The best is truly yet to come, and I am looking forward to working alongside some great artists and administrators to support the organization's big, bright plans for the future."

Rubio's strong ties to Aurora began when he was an intern for the organization while attending Central Gwinnett High School. Over the past seven years, Rubio has worked part time as both a technical and marketing assistant. When Aurora was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to expand its Teatro Aurora programming, which celebrates Gwinnett's Hispanic and Latino culture, Rubio was tapped as the Program Manager. In his new role, Rubio will oversee the planning, publicizing and execution of these exciting events!

"When I first came to Aurora, I never thought I was going to come full circle; to give back to my community a little piece of my culture and my heritage," said Rubio. "This by far will be the greatest challenge of my life, and I am so proud to be a part of this fantastic team!"

About Liz Hartnett

Liz Hartnett graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Agnes Scott College with a B.A. in Theatre and French, and has an M.A. from NYU's Institute of French Studies and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Before joining the team at Aurora Theatre, Liz was Development Director at Synchronicity Theatre for three years, where she led the successful first year of the Transition Campaign for Synchronicity Theatre. Before that, she served as General Director of Théâtre du Rêve, Atlanta's French-language professional theatre company, where she produced the national and international tour of Voir un Ami Pleurer, Microfiction ATL, The Red Balloon, the commission of the new play Celles d'en haut, among others. She has extensive arts administration and production experience in Atlanta theatre. Liz has been involved with companies and projects across the Atlanta arts community: performer for Elevate | Art Above Underground, Group Sales Manager for Georgia Shakespeare, Recommending Judge for the Suzi Awards, translator/interpreter for the U.S. Koltès Project, Emory University Chorus, Agnes Scott College and more.

About Sergio Rubio

Sergio Rubio is honored to join the full-time staff of Aurora Theatre, finding new challenges and working with a variety of Latino artists in this wonderful experience. Beginning his seventh season, Sergio has worked on every series and program Aurora offers. Sergio started as an intern while a junior in high school in 2009, has worked backstage, ran spotlight, served as Technical Assistant, Stage Manager and Marketing Assistant. In the past few years, Sergio has worked to bring different events that showcase Latin American arts and culture to Aurora, such as comedian Fernando Arau, international band Apu Inka, and Noche de Velas. He stage managed Real Women Have Curves & Mariela in the Desert among others and represented Aurora Theatre in Encuentro 2014 in Los Angeles! As a marketing student at Gwinnett Technical College, he combined his passion for the arts with his career goals to bring the Hispanic community closer to the arts and theatre.

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