PROVIDENCE — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence is pleased to announce that Christopher Donovan has assumed the role of Director of Bishop McVinney Auditorium, located at 43 Dave Gavitt Way in Providence.
Donovan comes to McVinney after most recently serving as the production manager for the East Coast tour of Starry Night Theater Company’s one-man play “Vincent.” Previously he held the role of assistant managing director at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts as well as acting as stage manager for numerous productions as part of the Actor’s Equity Association. A graduate of UMass Dartmouth’s Charlton College of Business, Donovan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is also a graduate of Bishop Feehan High School. He resides in Providence.
As director, Donovan is responsible for guiding and sharing the vision of McVinney Auditorium within the vibrant Providence arts community as well as across Rhode Island and beyond. Hosting not only diocesan school, parish and agency events, McVinney also accommodates national clients and is on track to enhance its offerings under Donovan’s leadership.
“I’m honored to be trusted with the immense responsibility that comes with caring for such a beautiful space. McVinney has already established itself as a home for wonderful programming and I am excited to further its growth as a fixture in the Providence cultural community.”
The beautifully renovated space now offers seating for 750, handicap accessibility, LED theatrical lighting, JBL wireless digital sound, a 10k projection system, two dressing rooms, new heating and cooling systems, and code compliant fire alarm and fire protection systems.
Since it’s reopening in May of 2015, McVinney has hosted more than 60 events including Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts Chamber Music Series featuring world-renowned musicians, Providence Ballet Theatre’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and St. Pius V Elementary School’s productions of “Peter Pan Jr.” and “The Lion King Jr.”
On Friday, June 16, McVinney Auditorium and Advanced Production and Design, will present globally recognized electro hip hop violinist Svet on his 2017 “String Theory” tour. Having appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” Svet is internationally recognized for his incredible gift to recreate music and songs of today with the violin.
For more information about upcoming events, and rental opportunities at McVinney Auditorium visit www.mcvinneyauditorium.org or find McVinney Auditorium on Facebook.
