Managing Director

Meet Gail Dobbins, Managing Director

Gail Dobbins has long been associated with Heartland Theatre, having served on the board of directors for over 20 years, volunteering her marketing and brand skills and working alongside her husband Mike Dobbins, Heartland’s former Managing Artistic Director who passed away in July 2013. Gail acts as the theatre’s spokesperson and media contact. Besides marketing and communications, she is responsible for budget management, fund development, database management and volunteer coordination for the theater.  She oversees grants and sponsorships as well as taking on responsibilities with business strategies, box office, house management, reservations and the physical space at One Normal Plaza. Gail works closely with Artistic Director, Rhys Lovell, both reporting equally to the Heartland Board of Directors.

“Gail and Mike Dobbins created a formidable partnership. Although we faced a difficult road without Mike at the helm, we are happy that Gail has continued to utilize her many talents on our behalf,” said past president Todd Wineburner.

Gail Dobbins has served in a variety of management positions in marketing firms in central Illinois, as well as managing her own business Dobbins Graphic Design in Freeport, IL and Dobbins Strategy in East Peoria, as a healthcare marketing strategist with national and local clients.  She has worked in the non-profit arena for over 35 years, contributing her time and talents in theatre, healthcare and community non-profit organizations.  She served as President for the Kiwanis Club of Bloomington in 2017 and serves on the board of AART (Area Arts Roundtable). She has won numerous national and international awards for her brand development and direct mail campaigns.  She was awarded Outstanding Woman in Communications by the Association of Women in Communications in 2013 and is a 2015 YWCA Woman of Distinction in Arts and Entertainment.

“My passion is Heartland Theatre, as most people know. After spending almost 25 wonderful years of my life growing and developing this theatre, I am happy to be an important part of its future,” said Dobbins.

Gail Dobbins on the stage of Heartland Theatre 2017
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