Management Team
James L. 'Lynn' Singleton
President
n 1983, Lynn Singleton arrived at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) as President and successfully reversed the theatre’s financial situation from near bankruptcy. Since 1984, PPAC is considered one of the most successful, not-for-profit theatres in North America. Under his direction, attendance at PPAC has increased from 57,000 in 1983 to nearly 500,000 this year, and the number of events has tripled, resulting in PPAC being voted by Performance Magazine the top 3,000-seat theatre in the nation in 1985 and 1987. Recently, PPAC has received Tony Awards as producers of Once, Kinky Boots, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Band’s Visit, winners of “Best Broadway Musical.”
In 2012, Lynn successfully sought passage of legislation to expand Rhode Island’s existing film tax credit to include opening of pre- and post-Broadway national tours in the state. As a result, since 2012, PPAC has opened nine national tours, opening three in 2013: Evita, Once, and The Phantom of the Opera. Rhode Island was only the second state to expand their film tax credit to include opening of Broadway shows.
Lynn initiated and completed PPAC’s $8 million stage expansion and $5 million historically-accurate restoration of the Grand Lobby, Arcade, Auditorium, and electronic marquee/vertical sign. These improvements to the facility allowed the presentation of blockbuster shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, Wicked and Jersey Boys. In recognition, Lynn became the first recipient of the City of Providence Renaissance Award for Highest Achievement in the Arts. As Associate Producer of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Lynn was nominated for a 1999 Tony Award in the “Best Revival of a Musical” category. Most recently, he received the “Best Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program” Emmy Award for A&E’s cable television version of this production starring Cathy Rigby.
In 1988, Lynn founded Professional Facilities Management, Inc. (PFM, www.pfmcorp.com) and serves as President and CEO. Today, PFM, a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of Providence Performing Arts Center and has national management/booking contracts with eleven facilities in eight states. Last year, PFM presented over 1,300 major national and international cultural and contemporary performances and attractions. Their 2,700-seat theatre in Durham, North Carolina was ranked 5th in Pollstar magazine, 4th in Billboard magazine, and 3rd in Venues Today magazine in 2016.
In May of 2012, Lynn received Trinity Repertory Company’s Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts. In 2018, he received the John Hazen White Sr. Leadership in the Arts Award from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. Lynn sits on the Government Relations Committee of the Broadway League and is a voting member for the “Tony Awards.” In 2004, he was the recipient of the Broadway League’s Samuel J. L’Hommedieu Award for Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management. In 2011 and again in 2016, Lynn was named as one of the 25 “driving forces” in the Rhode Island business community over the past 25 years by Providence Business News.
Norbert Mongeon
Vice President / Treasurer
Primarily responsible for talent acquisition and booking Broadway productions for all PFM venues. Active member of the League of American Theatres & Producers. Responsible for development of financial models and pro forma business plans.
Alan Chille
Vice President of Operations
Executed restoration of national historic theatre. Lead theatrical consultant in new 2,800-seat theatre in Durham, North Carolina. Member of the Providence Design Review Commission (maintaining the historical integrity in architectural projects throughout the downtown community).
Donna Santos
Vice President of Ticketing Services
Responsible and accountable for the entire in-house Box Office and subscription operation of all PFM facilities. Responsible for start-up, implementation, and upgrades of all ticketing operations.
Amanda Bonafine
Director of Concerts
Negotiates, contracts and schedules performances in the multiple PFM venues in the disciplines of contemporary concerts, comedy, dance, classical, family and education.
Christopher Myers
Director of Information Systems
Responsible for oversight of the technology infrastructure for all PFM-managed venues.
Cynthia A. Goldsmith
Director of Special Projects / Assistant to the President
Provides PFM Corporate staff administrative support; coordinates and prepares responses to requests for proposals received for new management projects.