Staff

Andy Sandberg
Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer

Andy Sandberg was appointed Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage in 2019. An accomplished director, writer, and Tony Award-winning producer whose national and international career has been committed to new work and artist development, Sandberg was selected to lead the organization following an extensive national search.

Since joining the Hermitage in January of 2020, Sandberg has guided the organization through a period of significant growth and transition, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Over the past three seasons, the organization has dramatically expanded its programming, more than tripled its fundraising, embarked on a new strategic plan, completed a campus-wide restoration, and established dozens of new collaborative partnerships throughout the region and across the country. Under Sandberg’s leadership through the pandemic, the Hermitage was one of the nation’s earliest and most successful adapters to find safe and innovative opportunities for live programming, creating unique outdoor and virtual experiences for artists and audiences alike.

Sandberg’s theatrical work has been represented in New York City, London, and throughout the United States. In 2009, at the age of 25, he became the youngest producer in history to win a Tony Award. Sandberg’s Broadway and West End producing credits include the hit revival of Hair (2009 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Awards); the Broadway revival of Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, starring James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, John Larroquette, Candice Bergen, and Eric McCormack (2012 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Nominations); and Will Eno’s The Realistic Joneses, a critically acclaimed new play starring Toni Collette, Michael C. Hall, Tracy Letts, and Marisa Tomei.

Sandberg directed the London premiere of Jeannette Bayardelle’s Shida, which opened to rave reviews and earned 2019 Off West End Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Director, and Best Lead Actress. He previously directed the world premiere of Shida Off-Broadway at Ars Nova (four AUDELCO Award Nominations, including Best Director and Best Musical) and at the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, MA). Sandberg has been represented Off-Broadway as the director of Straight, named a Critics’ Pick by The New York Times, which cited that the production was “directed with polished finesse.” He previously wrote and directed the critically acclaimed world premiere of Application Pending, a comedy about kindergarten admissions (BroadwayWorld Award: Best Off-Broadway Play, Drama Desk Nomination: Outstanding Solo Show, Winner: Book Pipeline Prize). Additional world premieres that he has directed include Alan Brody’s historical drama Operation Epsilon (four IRNE Awards, including Best Play and Best Director), the Off-Broadway comedy Craving for Travel (also co-author), and the Off-Broadway musicals The Last Smoker in America, Neurosis, and R.R.R.E.D. In 2020, he directed How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying for the Maltz Jupiter Theater.

Born and raised in New York, Sandberg is a graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in English and Theater Studies. He is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), and the Off-Broadway League. He has served on the boards of The Browning School (NYC), the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, the Yale Dramatic Association, the Whiffenpoof Alumni Association, and the Yale Alley Cats Alumni Organization (founder and longtime president). He recently served as President of the Browning Alumni Association.

Stacia Lee 
Managing Director
Stacia@HermitageArtistRetreat.org 
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 9

Stacia Lee was appointed Managing Director of the Hermitage in 2023. Most recently, Stacia served as the publisher for Sarasota Magazine, Houstonia Magazine, and the Asheville Visitor Guide. She oversaw the Florida and Texas operations for SagaCity Media, a Seattle-based company, where she was responsible for building and sustaining partnerships with key businesses, vendors, and non-profits across the Southeast. Prior to her move to lifestyle magazines, Stacia’s career in news media has given her the opportunity to lead multimillion-dollar operations across the country with Gannett, Lee Enterprises, and McClatchy. Her career in management and leadership has encompassed marketing, communications, branding, and organizational development. She has extensive experience developing strategic relationships and building operational infrastructure. She is deeply passionate about the arts and the role that the Hermitage plays in the local, national, and international arts ecosystems. She has always been ardent about quality journalism, community service, and meeting the ever-changing needs of her internal and external clients. She has served on several boards throughout her career but is most proud of her legacy of professional coaching and development. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Stacia graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She has been privileged to serve communities across the United States and now calls Sarasota home.

Amy Wallace
Development Director
Development@HermitageArtistRetreat.org 
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 2

Amy Wallace has a wide range of development experience, spending six years at New College Foundation in a variety of roles including fundraising, prospect research, donor relations, and database management. Most recently at New College, Amy held the position of director of philanthropy.

She spent many years in corporate financial services and human resources before transitioning to a career in nonprofit development and philanthropy. She holds the Blackbaud bCRE certification and is currently pursuing the Certificate in Fundraising Management designation through the IU Lilly School of Philanthropy. Amy is a member of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals and a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Elizabeth Power 
Operations Director
Elizabeth@HermitageArtistRetreat.org 
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 6

Elizabeth Power joins the Hermitage Artist Retreat as Operations Director with more than 20 years of experience in music education and arts administration. 

Having started her study on the violin at age 8 in public school, by the age of 12 Elizabeth was encouraged to teach privately and has continued doing so for more than 25 years. 

Her love of classical music was ignited by the movie “Amadeus,” inspiring her to continue her study of music through college. She has earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree of Music in Viola Performance at The Hartt School at University of Hartford, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Graduate Studies at The Juilliard School.

Through her love of music education, Elizabeth found her niche in supporting the development of young artists. This led her to Sarasota, Florida in 1999 to serve as the Education Director at the Sarasota Orchestra, running youth orchestra and summer camp programs for students, and creating more than a dozen music classes for all ages, engaging young children through retirees. 

From 2004 through 2020, Elizabeth received the opportunity to work with Toby and Itzhak Perlman, running the 17-day PMP Winter Residency in Sarasota-Bradenton. This intensive program provides professional training for young international string students (ages 12-20+) of rare and special talent and invites the community to attend free and low-cost daily public events to hear them. As Executive Director of The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, Elizabeth expanded annual programs to include multiple week-long residences featuring graduates of The Perlman Music Program performing in schools and throughout the community, established a unique partnership with the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to present programs on their campus, and designed and launched the PMP/Suncoast Super Strings program, offering Florida-based string students (ages 8-18) the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on stage with the PMP string students under the baton of international concert violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman. 

James R. Monaghan
Programs Director
Programs@HermitageArtistRetreat.org
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 3

Prior to becoming the literary manager and resident dramaturg at Asolo Repertory Theatre (Sarasota, Florida), James wrote about theatrical design as the Tow Foundation Fellow in the Roundabout Theatre Company Archives, created a one-on-one theatrical experience entitled [antidote] for the National Theatre of Croatia in Rijeka, and worked in the literary department of the Play Company in New York. He has been a resident artist at the Catwalk Institute, was recently featured in the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas’ newsletter and recently directed a digital production of Spring Awakening with the Georgetown Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Before completing his MFA at Columbia University, James received his BFA with honors from New York University, and worked as an educator and director in his hometown of Houston, Texas. 

Travis Ray
Senior Development Associate
Travis@HermitageArtistRetreat.org
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 7

Travis Ray is a seasoned arts leader who has served as Director of Advancement at Urbanite Theatre and previously as Associate Managing Director at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe for nine years. He is the Founder/CEO of Dapper Bowtique and delivered a TEDx Talk titled “Manifest Your Dreams.” Travis has received the “Agent of Success” and “Rising Star” awards, along with “40 under 40” and “Entrepreneur of the Year” honors. He has participated in the Start Up Circle, 26 West Center, Gulf Coast Leadership Institute, Gulf Coast Board Institute, and Steppenwolf Theatre’s Development Fellowship program. Travis holds an MFA in Theatre Management / Arts Administration from the University of Alabama and a BA in Theatre Performance from Alabama State University. He also completed a summer intensive in Arts in Health at the University of Florida and a Directing intensive at Yale University. Travis is a proud meditation, Reiki, and yoga practitioner.

Julie Mayer Magnifico
Marketing Communications Specialist
Communications@HermitageArtistRetreat.org
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 8

Julie Mayer Magnifico brings many years of experience in media sales and strategic marketing to the role of Marketing Communications Specialist at the Hermitage. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, her media career began at Leisure Media 360, publishers of The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country, and custom lifestyle publications. As Sales Director, she developed successful and integrated marketing campaigns for local, regional, and national clients. Upon moving to Florida, Julie held the position of Sales and Business Development Executive at SRQ Media, where she was introduced to Sarasota’s burgeoning arts and culture scene. Julie is excited to support the mission of the Hermitage and develop new opportunities to share its unique story with the local community and beyond. She is also grateful for the opportunity to work on Manasota Key, a place she first fell in love with as a child when visiting her grandparents in Venice, Florida.

Andres Larrea
Executive Assistant/Residency Coordinator
Assistant@HermitageArtistRetreat.org
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 5

 

Andres Larrea joins the Hermitage as Executive Assistant and Residency Coordinator, bringing his passion for the arts to the Gulf Coast. A Miami native and graduate of Florida State University with a B.A. in theater studies and a minor in general business,Andres previously served as the executive producer of Side B Society, a theater collective in Tallahassee. With his unique experience and background, Andres is proud to support the Hermitage’s programs and resident artists.

Whitney Stone
Grants Coordinator
Grants@HermitageArtistRetreat.org
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 111

Whitney Stone is an arts administrator and theater director dedicated to supporting generative artists. A longtime resident of New York City, Whitney has occupied many roles over her fifteen-year career. She is a seasoned choreographer and was a member of the faculty at the Mark Morris Dance Center. Whitney is working towards her Graduate Certificate in Arts Leadership & Cultural Management through the University of Connecticut. She studied directing with Seth Barrish of The Barrow Group, and she has a BFA in Theatre Arts Performance from Hofstra University. Whitney has worked with the Marin Theatre Company, and she is an alumna of Directors Lab West, as well as an associate member of SDC.

‘Chef’ Jordan Moore
Events & Hospitality Assistant

Jordan Moore was born in Pennsylvania and subsequently relocated to South Florida. With a strong passion for food and the arts, Jordan graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in New York in 2012 with his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts. Prior to his time at the Hermitage, Jordan worked at various organizations and establishments, including the Garrison Institute in New York — a retreat center where he assisted and organized large events. He has competed in multiple food competitions over the years, winning first place in the 2014 Venice Main Street Iron Chef competition and first place in the State of Florida Skills USA Competition in 2009.