Theatrical Productions by Ronnie Plasters

With a deep passion for philanthropy and the arts, Ronnie Plasters brings a wealth of experience in fundraising, strategy, and relational leadership. His career has been dedicated to advancing equity & access, ensuring impactful storytelling and live theater remain meaningful and inclusive. 

Ronnie began his fundraising journey at the University of Chicago, where he raised millions in support of first-generation and undocumented students. He then joined UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity and Inclusion, serving as the principal fundraiser for campus-wide initiatives that championed equity-driven programs. 

Before pursuing his PhD in Philanthropy, Ronnie served TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, leading a multi-tiered fundraising team that engaged thousands of investors in support of live theater. His extensive experience in fundraising maximization, strategic planning, and executive leadership allows him to guide theatrical productions, ensuring the resources and leadership necessary to reach audiences. 

Ronnie leverages his expertise to not only sustain but elevate the company’s mission, securing the support necessary to produce groundbreaking, thought-provoking performances. His leadership is driven by a belief in the power of theater to foster empathetic connection, challenge perspectives, and inspire curiosity in each of us. 

For more about Ronnie and his work, you can visit www.consultingronnie.com or explore insights from industry leaders like Alan Souza.

Alan Souza is as highly regarded for his vital, re-imagined versions of classic plays and musicals as he is for his stirring development of new works in live theater. He mines the present-day relevance of a story, challenging people’s memories and expectations, so that they hear and experience the words and ideas anew. Alan compels audiences to lean forward and participate rather than observe, breaking down boundaries between audience and actors, encouraging hearts to flutter and conversation to ensue.

He recently made his critically acclaimed London directorial debut with the world premiere, award-winning play Remembrance Monday. His 10-person Oliver! was solicited by Stage Entertainment and had its inaugural production at the Human Race Theatre Company, featuring choreography by Spencer Liff. Alan worked in conjunction with the Lerner Estate on his post-modern and highly celebrated Camelot for the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, where he also mounted a rather progressive and highly stylized take on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and a provocative, madcap, Vegas-themed Joseph…Dreamcoat.

Alan has directed plays and musicals for various esteemed theaters, including Laguna Playhouse, Olney Theatre, Arkansas Repertory, Walnut Street Theatre, The New Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Virginia Musical Theatre, 3D Theatricals, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Casa Mañana, and the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport. He also directed the National Tour of a new version of Xanadu, starring Drag Race superstars Ginger Minj and Jinkx Monsoon.

He has directed many world premieres, including The Little Hours (based on the short stories of Dorothy Parker), Exposure Time, and Multiple Family Dwelling for NJ Repertory, Mourning the Living at the Abingdon Theatre in NYC, and Death Valley: A Love Story for the Springfield Contemporary Theatre.

Alan has been nominated for both the Joseph Jefferson Award and the Carbonell Award, has received multiple Edgerton Foundation Grants for New Works, has had his work recorded for the National Theatre Archive, and is a frequent podcast guest.

Alan has directed original benefit performances on Broadway for both the Actors Fund of America and the Christopher Reeve Foundation. He also conceived and directed the star-studded virtual variety show Oasis, benefiting the Ali Forney Center.

As a stalwart Guest Artist at University Drama Programs throughout the country and a recurrent Teaching Artist for the Broadway Dreams Foundation, Alan continues to inspire the next generation of theater artists. Based in NYC, Alan Souza is a member of SDC and a Taurus. For more information, visit www.alansouzaofficial.com.