OKC Ballet announces new Executive Director!

FROM L.A. TO N.Y. TO OKC –  

OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET ANNOUNCES

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 (Oklahoma City, OK — September 8th, 2009) – Oklahoma City Ballet is excited and proud to announce the selection of its new Executive Director, John Krasno, who brings a strong track record of industry excellence and bold new plans to the local Company.

            Krasno has invested his professional life primarily in the arts, with demonstrated expertise in improving the financial well-being of creative companies. He has more than 20 years of hands-on experience leading companies through various stages of operations and across divergent entertainment-related industries, including Theater, Education, TV, Film Production and Documentaries.

            “The selection of John Krasno is a major coup for Oklahoma in general, and for Oklahoma City Ballet specifically,” said Robert Mills, Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director. “We’re thrilled because Krasno is widely recognized for his ability to strengthen the behind-the-scenes financial and operational aspects of organizations, which will ultimately upgrade the quality and creativity that our valued patrons will experience on stage.”

Krasno’s professional resume is both extensive and impressive.

As a Vice President at Panavision in Los Angeles, he supported the creation of hundreds of independent films including Pulp Fiction and Leaving Las Vegas. Most recently, Krasno helped re-engineer the business model, fund raising, operations and programs for the American Society of Cinematographers. Now he’s in Oklahoma City to support the ballet which is ‘on the move’!

“What was achieved by the Oklahoma City Ballet in the last year, through the efforts of Robert Mills and the impressive Board of Directors is remarkable,” said Krasno. “I believe there is an opportunity here to build a ballet company of world class stature.”

Previously, Krasno was the Chief Operating Officer of The Drama Department, a New York-based theater company, and paved the way for their dynamic growth, including the Tribeca Theater Festival produced in conjunction with Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Institute.

Krasno was also President & Chief Operating Officer of Stick Figure Productions, a documentary and television production company that produced highly regarded films shown at prestigious film festivals including Sundance, Tribeca and Edinburgh, as well as airing on HBO, Bravo, PBS and Showtime. He has also written screenplays, authored books and produced award-winning television programs and documentaries.

Born in Milwaukee and raised in California, Krasno holds a BA in English from UCLA. He has a long, personal affiliation with ballet, having studied with Stanley Holden and Margaret Graham Hills of the Royal Ballet.

“I’m very pleased to be a part of the arts community in this most welcoming and gracious city. Go Sooners, Go Cowboys!”

For more information about Oklahoma City Ballet’s upcoming season visit www.okcballet.com or call (405) 848-TOES.

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