Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Orlando Shakes Reveals Leadership Change

Current Managing Director Douglas Love-Ramos is leaving the company on Wednesday, July 5.

By:

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater in partnership with UCF is announcing the search for a new managing director. Current Managing Director Douglas Love-Ramos is leaving the company on Wednesday, July 5.

Love-Ramos has been with Orlando Shakes since June 2019. He and artistic director Jim Helsinger successfully led the company through the COVID pandemic, producing creative theater both virtually and outdoors. In 2022-23, he helped to lead Shakes' reopening, one that brought sellout crowds back to the theater.

“We thank Douglas for his hard work these past four years with Orlando Shakes,” said Rick Schell, president of Orlando Shakes. “We wish him continued success.”

Elizabeth (Betsy) Gwinn, an arts management consultant, will provide interim executive leadership effective Thursday, July 6. Gwinn was previously the Executive Director of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park for 15 years.

“Betsy will be a strong leader while we search for a new managing director,” Schell said. “With her arts management experience and her knowledge of the Central Florida community, we know that Shakes will remain the premier professional theater in our region.”

The initial event under Gwinn's leadership will be “The Sounds of Soul: Motown and Beyond,” July 8-9, part of the Cypress Bank & Trust Cabaret Series. 

The first show in the 35th season Signature Series will be “Million Dollar Quartet,” which runs August 2-20. The musical recounts an impromptu jam session with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins in December 1956. “Million Dollar Quartet” will be produced in honor of Harvey L. Massey.

A national search for a permanent managing director has begun. Those interested in applying for the position can find additional information at https://www.orlandoshakes.org/about-us/careers-and-internships/

For more information about Orlando Shakes, or to purchase tickets to any of our upcoming shows, please visit https://www.orlandoshakes.org/.

Don't Miss a Orlando News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


Candide in Orlando Candide
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (2/26-2/28)
Zayn at Kia Center in Orlando Zayn at Kia Center
Kia Center (11/09-11/09)
THE PROM in Orlando THE PROM
Theatre at St. Luke's (8/06-8/16)
Wicked in Orlando Wicked
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (1/06-1/31)
Madame Butterfly in Orlando Madame Butterfly
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (10/02-10/04)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical in Orlando The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Athens Theatre (11/20-12/13)
Ted Swindley’s Honky Tonk Angels in Orlando Ted Swindley’s Honky Tonk Angels
Athens Theatre (2/26-3/21)
Songs for a New World in Orlando Songs for a New World
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (8/28-8/30)
Golden Girls The Laughs Continue in Orlando Golden Girls The Laughs Continue
Dr. Phillips Center (11/01-11/01)
The Shark Is Broken in Orlando The Shark Is Broken
Athenaeum Theatre One (10/15-11/08)