Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) is thrilled to announce that Neil Sudhakaran will be relocating to Somerset to join the company as the new Managing Director. The role of the Managing Director is a new position, designed to support the work of the Producing Artistic Director, Sommer Schoch. Over the next year, Neil will become a public face of FbTC in the community for sponsors and local businesses partnering with Flashback. This will empower Schoch to increase her focus on long-term vision and artistic output.
Neil Sudhakaran
Neil Sudhakaran is an accomplished independent filmmaker, arts producer, and development officer who comes to Somerset from Akron, Ohio. His career began in advertising with iHeartMedia, after which he transitioned to various roles in development and advertising across several theaters in Northeast Ohio, including The Akron Civic Theatre, convergence-continuum, and Broadview Heights Spotlights, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the greater Akron arts community.
Notably, Sudhakaran earned a Cleveland Critics Circle Award for his film and projection work on “Angry F@#$” at convergence-continuum. His short documentary, “Dain Bramage: Voyages into Visual Collage,” was honored with a selection for screening at the prestigious Academy Award Qualifying 49th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival, and is the 2024 Summit Art Space Emerging Artist. Additionally, Sudhakaran is the founder of The Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival.
Sudhakaran expresses enthusiasm about becoming part of the Somerset community, confident in his ability to be a significant catalyst for the growth and passion for the arts in the greater Lake Cumberland area.
As the Managing Director, Sudhakaran will oversee the business and administration aspects of Flashback. These duties include overseeing fundraising goals, soliciting funding from state and federal organizations, maintaining relationships with current sponsors and grant funders, coordinating grant applications, managing FbTC’s part time staff members, coordinating and attending board meetings, creating and implementing the annual budget, and advocating for Flashback within the community.
Many of these duties were previously the work of the Producing Artistic Director, Sommer Schoch. To clear up any confusion: Sommer Schoch is remaining in her position. The choice to bring on a Managing Director was motivated by the positive growth FbTC has experienced over the past ten years. The company has grown significantly, producing more ambitious projects and serving a larger number of audience members and artists each year. Flashback has its sights set on becoming a beacon of the performing arts known throughout the state of Kentucky. By sharing the responsibilities of managing the $200,000 organization, Schoch will have more time to focus on the strategic and artistic vision of Flashback’s future.
If you see Sudhakaran on the street, he’ll likely ask you if you have a Letterboxd account, what your top 4 favorite films are, and what’s your go-to karaoke list. Notably, he will be present at this weekend’s performances of The House of Blue Leaves. Be sure to say hi if you see him around town!