Page 11 - STA Studio Sessions Playbill 082120 FINAL

WHO’S WHO

MARK FOLKES (Managing Director) Mark
Folkes joined Stages as Managing Director
in 2015 during an important time of growth
for the company. In the role of Managing
Director, Mark leads Stages’ administrative
functions with a focus on financial
management, fundraising, marketing and
strategic planning. In recent years, Stages’
annual operating budget has more than
doubled from $2.1 million to $5.5 million
today, driven by transformational growth
in ticket sales and philanthropic support.
In January 2020, Stages celebrated the
opening of a three-theatre new venue,
The Gordy, funded by a capital campaign
that has raised more than $35.8 million
including one of the largest individual gifts
to support the performing arts in Houston’s
history. Prior to joining Stages, Mark served
as Senior Director, Development for the
Houston Symphony, and has worked for
a variety of arts organizations including
Canada’s National Arts Centre, the
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the College-
Conservatory of Music at the University
of Cincinnati, and Houston Grand
Opera. Mark is a Certified Fund Raising
Executive and holds Master of Arts (Arts
Administration) and Master of Business
Administration degrees from the University
of Cincinnati. He studied theatre as an
undergraduate at the University of Waterloo
and the Canadian College of Performing
Arts. In 2018, Mark was recognized as a
Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40
Honoree.