Portland Ballet announced today that its Board of Directors has selected Stephanie Cotsirilos to serve as Interim Executive Director, effective April 13, 2015. Ms. Cotsirilos, an attorney with a prior career in the performing arts, currently maintains a management consulting practice for nonprofits in Maine, and will succeed Genie O’Brien, Portland Ballet’s visionary founder. In 2014, Ms. O’Brien announced her decision to retire after 35 years of service as Artistic and Executive Director.

“Stephanie will provide seamless leadership for the Ballet as we say farewell to Genie, who transformed the world of dance and dance education in Portland,” said Melissa Lin, Portland Ballet’s Board President. “As we look forward to the exciting national and international candidates who have responded to our search for a permanent new Executive Director, Ms. Cotsirilos will provide our school and our company with stability and direction until our executive search is complete. Portland Ballet’s Board is thrilled about this appointment.”

Ms. Cotsirilos holds a BA from Brown University, an MMA from Yale Music School, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. She performed leading roles at the Yale Repertory Theatre, in New York on and off Broadway, and in regional and national companies, TV, film and concerts in a fifteen-year career. She returned to school to earn a law degree and worked at the law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York City. After moving to Maine, she received recognition for volunteerism in women’s health care and with United Way, and became a presenter for the Maine Association of Nonprofits’ Advanced Board Boot Camp statewide. She was appointed to a judicial review panel for a U.S. District Court vacancy, has drafted election reform legislation, and, for the University of Maine, served on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council, and on the President’s Board of Visitors. She continues to balance her management consultancy with civic engagement that includes the ACLU (Maine) legal panel, and the International Women’s Forum, Maine Chapter.

“I am very excited to work with Portland Ballet’s talented artists, staff and Board to sustain this organization as it honors the legacy of its inspirational founder, Genie, and lays a solid foundation for its new leader,” said Ms. Cotsirilos. “I’m grateful for this rare opportunity to draw on my background in the good company of people so highly dedicated to the performing arts in the community.”

Ms. Cotsirilos takes the helm as Portland Ballet celebrates its 35th anniversary. Unique in greater Portland’s arts culture, Portland Ballet distinguishes itself through its multiple collaborations – with Portland Symphony, Choral Arts Society, Portland Public Library, PORTopera, Kotzschmar Organ, colleges and universities, and across the community’s diverse neighborhoods. Portland Ballet combines a resident professional company of seasoned dancers from around the world, a school of ballet, and a groundbreaking, 25-year-old pre-professional program (CORPS). An educational innovation, CORPS offers high school credit for youth qualified and committed to its rigorous pre-professional training and “truly creates a performing arts high school for students from any district in Maine.”(Portland’s public school superintendent) As a national summer program audition site, Portland Ballet sends its CORPS students for summer study to American Ballet Theater, National School of Canada, Cincinnati Ballet and Joffrey Ballet. Portland Ballet’s professional company embeds its innovative performances throughout the city, and produces a library of exquisite original choreography tailored to the Portland’s audiences.

About Portland Ballet: Portland Ballet is Maine’s professional ballet company and school. The Company performs throughout the year in southern Maine, presenting full-length classics as well as highly-regarded contemporary choreography under the direction of Artistic Director Eugenia L. O'Brien and Associate Artistic Director Nell Shipman. Portland School of Ballet under the direction of Principal Daniela Sabbath offers choices for students with differing levels of commitment; classes for children and adults, beginner to advanced, recreational to professional. PSB offers small classes and individual attention. All classes are taught by adults with extensive teaching and performing experience.