JUNE 10, 2025

CONTACT: Isabella Rodrigues, Public Relations and Marketing Manager

EMAIL: IsabellaR@OrlandoShakes.org

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger honored with “Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day” on June 2, 2025, to celebrate three decades of outstanding leadership.

ORLANDO, Fla. — In recognition of three decades of excellent leadership and dedication at Orlando Shakes, the City of Orlando officially proclaimed June 2, 2025, as “Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day.”

Before becoming Orlando Shakes’ Artistic Director in 1995, Jim acted in various shows at the then Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. Throughout his leadership tenure, Jim has directed/produced over 256 mainstage productions at Orlando Shakes, including his adaptations of A Christmas Carol, Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, and Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker.

“The City of Orlando is proud to join in the recognition of Jim’s 30 years of leadership,” wrote Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We thank him for his countless contributions to our community and express our collective gratitude for his passion and commitment which have helped to shape a more vibrant and welcoming community for all.; now, therefore, I, Buddy Dyer, Mayor of the City of Orlando; do hereby proclaim June 2, 2025, as ‘Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day’ in the City of Orlando.”

“It is a pleasure working alongside Jim,” said Executive Director Cheryl Collins. “His artistic leadership, collaborative spirit, and dedication to Orlando Shakes and the greater arts community have left an incredible mark. This celebration is a great honor.”

As a member of both the Actors’ Equity Association and National New Play Network, Jim is committed to advocating for professional actors and the arts, as well as new play development. He is also a valued faculty member of the University of Central Florida’s Theatre Department, where he’s taught over 2,340 pupils, 28 graduating classes, and over 100 Master of Fine Arts students.

“There are so many people to thank for the growth and success of Orlando Shakes – our audience, donors, staff, and volunteers,” said Jim Helsinger. “I’m so proud to be a part of it all, and I am deeply moved by this honor and recognition.”

Jim remains a driving force at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, where his passion for Shakespeare and thought-provoking new plays continues to shine. Orlando Shakes and the City of Orlando proudly celebrate Jim Helsinger’s 30th anniversary as Artistic Director.

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ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKES
Now in its 37th season, Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, is Central Florida’s largest non-profit professional theater, featuring classic, contemporary, and children’s plays at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Conveniently located in Loch Haven Cultural Park, just minutes from the heart of Orlando’s Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village Main Street entertainment districts, Orlando Shakes is one of the region’s top date-night destinations. Visit OrlandoShakes.org to learn more about our annual Signature Series, Children’s Series, PlayFest, concert series, and immersive educational programming.

** Orlando Shakes is sponsored in part by the City of Orlando, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs, and by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts. Additional support is also provided by generous individual donors.

The mission of Orlando Shakes is to enrich our community with engaging professional theater, inspiring educational experiences, and thought-provoking new plays.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” – The Tempest