Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's official.
Shea's Performing Arts Center announced Monday morning Congressman Brian Higgins will serve as the next President and CEO of the theatre effective Feb. 5, 2024.
A champion of the Buffalo Waterfront and other crucial long-term investments for the City of Buffalo and Western New York, Shea's believes Higgins was the ideal candidate for the position out of the many who applied in a search that reached internationally.
"The Congressman's return to Buffalo is a welcomed homecoming; his fresh perspective will enhance Shea's mission and strategic goals. He is the right person to steer Shea's towards a vibrant future with the dedicated board, leadership team, and staff," said Jonathan Dandes, Shea's Board of Trustees Chair.
"This is a great opportunity, this is a great time to be in Buffalo," said Higgins. "We are an arts and cultural community that has greater potential than we've realized thus far. My goal here is to help make the theater district a more inviting place."
The announcement comes two weeks after the Congressman announced he would be leaving Congress before his term expires at the end of 2024. He vocalized his frustrations with the current division of politics in America and that he went to Congress to change his community.
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"Congressman Brian Higgins has long been one of the most effective legislative and elected leaders in our community in the entire Western New York community," said Mayor Byron Brown. "One of the great strengths and assets that he brings is his collaboration, his ability to work with others, to engage others around the vision that he has. I can tell you that he has a deep love and passion for the arts. If you look at the body of his work, and the depth and breadth of his work is extraordinary, is exceptional. But all through his service in elective office, he has shown his passion and love for the arts. He understands that the arts equals economic development, that the arts is a building block of a strong community."
As Shea's Performing Arts Center approaches it's 100th anniversary, the institution and the congressman are positioned for a new chapter of future investments, further cementing the theatre as a cultural landmark and "crown jewel" for the City of Buffalo.
"Our job, your job, Brian, is to preserve [the theatre] for the next generation, to continue the legacy," said Albert Nocciolino, Broadway Partner-Producer and search committee member. "All the hard work that's been done will need to go forward. More renovations, more restorations, the continuation of proper programming, and the building of audiences, we need to do that together. We know, Brian, with what you have done already in our community, recognizing the assets that we have, with your vision, and your support, and your leadership over all these years, if you bring that to us, and you help us continue on the foundation that everyone here in this room has worked so hard for, we're gonna go a long way and for generations to come. they will walk into this theater and continue to look up and say, 'Boy, are we lucky to have Shea's.'"
Higgins is set to replace former President Michael Murphy, who was booted from his role in October of 2022.
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