CLIENTS
TESTIMONIALS
Eileen Phelan would be an exceptional addition to any organization. During her tenure at Portland Stage, Eileen saw her position Director of Communications, Marketing and Engagement as not just about traditional marketing activities, but also in developing a strong community engagement plan. As a member of senior staff, Eileen was an asset in terms of seeing and understanding the bigger picture. As a small theater, we rely of staff that has the capacity to both plan as well as execute that plan. Eileen was always thinking forward, coming in with new ideas and with the energy to follow through. Traditionally marketing at Portland Stage had been siloed with the bulk of energy reserved for the main stage. Eileen understood the need and strengths of branding the whole, and the stature and understanding of the entire organization expanded as a result. She saw the need for greater community engagement, and she developed a wide range of events that were designed to engage diverse members of our community. Eileen is a self-starter. She sees the potential for an activity and she actively follows through.
Anita Stewart
Artistic Director Portland Stage
I’ve known and worked with Eileen for more than 20 years, beginning with our time together at the famed Village Voice newspaper and media company in New York City where I was the corporation’s first Chief Information Officer responsible for the start-up of its new media division. In her position there as Marketing & Promotions Manager, Eileen’s creativity and drive were quickly apparent, and she became the highly successful event producer for the Voice Obie Awards, downtown theater’s most prestigious awards. Eileen’s heart was (and today remains) centered in that world of new, innovative, and ever-evolving theater and the events she produced demonstrated her passion as well as her expertise.
Linda L. Nelson
Founding Executive Director, Opera House Arts Deputy Director, Portland Ovations (2018-2021)
Journalist and Nonprofit Consultant (Current)
I worked with Eileen while she was the Director of Communications, Marketing & Engagement at Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine in two capacities: as an Affiliate Artist and as an Associate Producer of a world premiere. I observed and appreciated Eileen’s varied, creative approaches to marketing events. She took each seriously, worked to understand the project so she could better target an audience, and gave them her all. I watched our audiences for these events grow under Eileen’s marketing leadership. When I worked as an actor and an Associate Producer for the world premiere of my adaptation of Babette’s Feast at Portland Stage I really grew to respect Eileen’s skill as a Marketing Director. She is smart, creative, and skillful in reaching new communities. It is my opinion Eileen is a strong fit for any arts based institution and could help programs grow their audience in numbers and diversity as well as raise an organization's profile and donor base by activating the skills she used at Portland Stage: big picture thinking, responsibility and ownership of even the small details, and targeting new communities by brainstorming new and surprising ways forward.
Abigail Killeen
Associate Professor of Theater and Chair of Theater and Dance
As the Communications and Engagement Manager for the Department of Theater Arts at Brandies University, Eileen has brought a wealth of talent and experience to the position and excelled at the job. In a short time, she has been able to exponentially grow our connection to the Brandeis community. Through rejuvenated newsletters, eblasts, graphics and community events, she has increased the Department’s visibility throughout our campus, alumni network, and external audience. In particular she has grown our mailing list tenfold, which has directly boosted attendance at auditions and performances. Eileen has worked successfully with outside photographers, graphic designers, videographers in support of the Department’s production and academic goals.
J.B. Barricklo
Director of Production
Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts