FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Tina Louise Schaller
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
PA Shakespeare Festival Announces Silvia Vargas as New Director of Development
CENTER VALLEY, PA —September 21, 2026— Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Silvia Vargas as its new Director of Development. Vargas brings nearly two decades of experience in executive leadership, fundraising, advancement, and relationship-building across higher education and nonprofit organizations.
In her new role, Vargas will lead PA Shakespeare Festival’s philanthropic strategy, strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors, expand major-gift opportunities, and develop the resources and partnerships needed to support the Festival’s continued artistic and organizational growth.
Vargas has built a career focused on advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic fundraising, donor engagement, community partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives. Most recently, she has supported nonprofit organizations through consulting and leadership roles focused on fundraising strategy, donor relations, and community partnerships. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation, where she helped grow philanthropic support and expand resources for students, programs, and institutional priorities.
Her experience encompasses major gifts, annual giving, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, special events, campaign strategy, and advancement planning.
Vargas also brings a personal connection to the arts and a background in creative design. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design and Architectural Engineering from New York Institute of Technology.
“We’re thrilled to have Silvia join the PSF team. Silvia has years of fundraising experience, extensive relationships in the Lehigh Valley, and a passion for the transformative power of theatre. I’m excited to work with her to advance PSF’s mission and improve our community,” said Jason King Jones, Artistic Director.
About Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
Founded in 1992, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is the Lehigh Valley’s Professional Equity Theatre hosted on the campus of DeSales University, and the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, featuring acclaimed actors from Broadway, television, and film, and is the summer home to over 200 artists from around the country, including winners and nominees of the Tony, Obie, Emmy, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Jefferson, and Barrymore Awards. PSF’s mission is to enrich, engage, entertain, and inspire the widest possible audience through professional productions of classic, contemporary, and Shakespearean works, along with educational programming and mentorship opportunities for emerging artists.
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