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Hilde Garcia; Chairperson, 1998 - Present

Guy and I became the dynamic duo! It was Mr. President and Madame Secretary.
It was scary. We spent more time together than most married couples. But it was so necessary. We needed to restructure FP’s image and create a distinctive one of its own.
We produced our first official brochure, letterhead and even membership cards that
you could now get discounts with around town. I created business cards for al Board members too.

One of my biggest projects was redesigning our newsletter’s layout with the help
of Michael Tarris and Ileanne Buigas-Lopez. Michael and I had already come up
with monthly postcards to be sent on non-newsletter months. (Finally in 1998, that
became a reality). In 1997 we were online and ready to go.

Then before I knew, we held our first Florida Project elections and I was voted in as Chairperson (the first female and Spanish one at that!) I was very excited and felt like
I was going to help usher in a new era for FP.

Since becoming Chairperson, I have restructured the secretarial files and helped
organizeour internal information. I have also updated our Database and Treasurer’s
files so that they are now computerized. As a result of the Alumni Cabaret, which
was the School of Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Celebration - I found a great Treasurer,
Linda Kaley. Mark Addison created professional FP Archive Files, which look great!

At my first board meeting, we voted to have bi-monthly board meetings, an FP first!
With all this support, I felt confident when I traveled to The Asolo and FSU to network
with different departments on campus. I wanted them to know that we are open to
all the gads and need everyone’s support.

During that trip in June of 1998, we also forged an alliance with The FSU Alumni Association. In September 2000, the FSU Alumni
Association presented The Florida Project with the first ever “Circle of Friends”
Award in recognition of service and leadership in furthering the objectives and goals
of the University and its alumni programs. It was presented by Betty Lou Joanos and received by Linda Kaley and Hilde Garcia. Interim Dean of the FSU School of Theatre,
John Deal, shared this honor at the awards luncheon. James Melton, Betty Lou Joanos
and Terry Johnson have been instrumental in helping FP move forward.

There are smaller things too - like the development of Welcome to NYC and LA
packets; a more interactive website to keep us all closely knit.
We instituted the Cafe LaRoe Play Reading Series started by David Watson, our
first ever general auditions to acquaint our directors with our performers and our
off-off Broadway Season Prelude- Say Goodnight Gracie.

Our season started with The Voice of the Prairie, continued with Sand Mountain,
and finished with FSU School of Theatre grad Robin Swicord's Last Days at the
Dixie Girl Cafe. An awesome undertaking by FP raising $25,000 for the entire year and laying the groundwork for our newest original venture, Lady O, by David Caudle.

In LA, we did a season of Monthly Play Reading Series of Original Scripts and
produced a full legnth showcase as a result of the Readings. We made a profit, had
25 members involved, and it was seen by industry and huge audiences and very well received. We are looking at expanding this series to several productions during the year.
We now hold Networking Parties in both LA and NYC yearly and have distinguished
VIP's attend both.

We have even ventured into color newsletters and our own bulk-mailing permit.
We did our first ever massive fundraising campaign to 2600
FSU tri state alums in 1998. Our capital campaign continues as we are committed
to raising $100,000. There’s no stopping us!

When I look back at what Marc started with Showcases and realize we can now
offer more. When I think of how little funding Robb had to
start with for The Production Fund and how that’s grown.

We continue to be flexible and have evolved Four Mondays in May into FP Open
Studios into The Cafe LaRoe Reading Series and in LA - into the Monthly Original
Play Reading Series.

When I see the initiative of Ric Falklen and Chris Dolman’s administration to tackle
on getting a space in NYC it makes me think that we are quite remarkable and have
come a long way.

We have inspired hundreds to make this Project work. It’s quite awesome to
be your Chairperson.

Hilde Garcia is an actress for theatre, film, television and commercials in LA.
She is also the President of her children’s book publishing company, Caliente.