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.
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.
Dave Newman
Operations & Facilities Manager
Operations@HermitageArtistRetreat.org
(941) 475-2098, Ext. 6
Dave Newman comes to the Hermitage from the Midwest with over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a vast knowledge of facilities, maintenance, and operations. After earning a bachelor’s degree in theology from Grace Ministries in Beavercreek, Ohio, Dave’s career evolved into facilities management and planning large-scale events. He was a founding board member of the Richmond Dream Center in Richmond, Indiana; the organization grew to feed over 2,500 meals each Christmas and distributed over 1,500 backpacks for young people returning to school. He was instrumental in helping to transform a 91,000-square-foot former quilting factory into a ministry center, while also housing two additional local businesses. Since then, Dave has chosen to trade the blustery winters of Indiana for the endless summers of Florida; he now calls the Englewood area home. Most recently, he served as the Director of Facilities for Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda, Florida. In his role there, he coordinated the building and grounds maintenance for the 27-acre botanical and sculpture garden, where he collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians.
‘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.