VenuWorks Names Numa Saisselin as Executive Director of the Historic Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce

VenuWorks is pleased to welcome Numa Christopher Saisselin as Executive Director of the historic Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce, Florida. Saisselin will officially step into the role on July 20, bringing decades of experience in historic theatre leadership, programming, fundraising, preservation, financial management, and community engagement.

VenuWorks began management of the 1,200-seat Sunrise Theatre on June 1, following selection by the City of Fort Pierce as the venue’s new management company. Located in the heart of historic downtown Fort Pierce, the Sunrise Theatre has served the community since 1923 and remains one of the Treasure Coast’s most treasured cultural landmarks.

Saisselin joins the Sunrise Theatre with a nationally respected record of leading historic performing arts venues through periods of growth, reinvestment, expanded programming, and strengthened community impact. Most recently, he served as President of Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc. in Jacksonville, where he led the 1,865-seat historic Florida Theatre in a public-private partnership with the City of Jacksonville.

During his tenure, the Florida Theatre presented more than 200 music, dance, theatre, film, and education events annually, welcomed approximately 205,000 attendees each year, and operated with a $14 million annual budget. His leadership included growing the organization from $3.1 million to $14 million in annual business, raising $19.5 million in capital funds, advancing major preservation and capital improvement work, and earning recognition as one of Pollstar’s Top 5 most attended theatres under 2,000 seats in the nation.

“Numa brings extraordinary experience leading historic theatres, growing audiences, strengthening community relationships, and balancing preservation with innovation,” said Steve Peters, Founder and CEO of VenuWorks. “His track record at the Florida Theatre and Count Basie Theatre demonstrates exactly the kind of leadership we believe will help the Sunrise Theatre continue to thrive as a cultural and economic anchor for Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast.”

Prior to his leadership at the Florida Theatre, Saisselin served as Chief Executive Officer of Count Basie Theatre, Inc. in Red Bank, New Jersey, where he guided a 1,500-seat historic theatre through significant growth in programming, attendance, revenue, capital improvements, and preservation projects. Under his leadership, the Count Basie Theatre became one of Pollstar’s Top 100 Most Attended Theatre Venues.

“The Sunrise Theatre has been serving the Fort Pierce community since 1923, and I am excited to start a new chapter of my career by stewarding this historic theatre into its next era,” said Saisselin. “The City of Fort Pierce and the Sunrise Theatre Foundation and the professional staff of the theatre are all excited and committed to growing the theatre’s presentations and impact on the community, and I am looking forward to quarterbacking that team effort.”

At the Sunrise Theatre, Saisselin will focus on honoring the venue’s historic legacy while expanding programming, strengthening community partnerships, enhancing guest experiences, and supporting the theatre’s role as a cultural and economic anchor in downtown Fort Pierce. VenuWorks’ management plan for the theatre includes pursuing additional national touring acts, family programming, children’s theatre, Broadway-style entertainment, Latino and urban entertainment, comedy, concerts, private events, community gatherings, local arts programming, banquets, weddings, and special events tailored to the Fort Pierce market.

The Sunrise Theatre is a beautifully restored 1923 performing arts venue featuring an intimate 1,200-seat Mainstage and an accompanying Black Box Theatre. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the venue presents concerts, Broadway touring productions, comedy, dance, opera, community events, educational programs, and special events for audiences throughout the Treasure Coast.

VenuWorks looks forward to working alongside Saisselin, the City of Fort Pierce, the Sunrise Theatre Foundation, theatre staff, volunteers, artists, patrons, local businesses, and community partners as the Sunrise Theatre enters this next chapter.