Michael Marinaccio, who received his B.F.A.-Acting in 1998 from the University of Central Florida, has been hired as the producer for the Orlando Fringe Festival. Marinaccio has contributed greatly to the Central Florida theatre community since his days at the university, working on and off stage with local theatres including the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, the Orlando Repertory Theatre, Mad Cow, Sak Comedy Lab, Theatre Downtown, and others.
"I did my first Fringe in 1997 while I was a student at UCF. It was myself and a group of other UCF students, some of whom I still work with today. Those connections and collaborations began at UCF," said Marinacciol about his time at the university.
"Fringe is where I found my individual voice, but UCF is what taught me to use it. I owe so much of what I am today to my professors, including Dr. Don Seay, Jim Helsinger, and especially Jim Cali."
The Orlando Fringe Festival is the nation's longest-running Fringe Festival and is Central Florida's best-known theatrical event. In the past fifteen years, Marinaccio has worked with the Festival in many roles, including volunteering, producing, and performing.
"I am extremely excited to have Mike on board the Fringe team," said George Wallace, the Fringe's general manager, in this week's announcement. "He is well-known in the arts community and an outstanding choice."
(Photo is from the Fall 1996 production of Servant of Two Masters. Michael Marinaccio is top center.)
