Dorsey Baskin Named Chairman of the Board for 2015

Posted on March 18th, 2015

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Dallas Business Executive and Civic Leader Dorsey Baskin
Named Chairman of the Board of Dallas Summer Musicals

Dallas, TX… Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM), the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, has named Dorsey Baskin, a global accounting firm executive and civic leader, Chairman of the DSM Board of Directors for 2015.

Baskin began his career in public accounting immediately after earning an MBA from Texas A&M University. Beginning as a line auditor with Arthur Andersen, he progressed, eventually taking on the role of National Technical Director and Industry Liaison for the Banking Industry audit practice and then Managing Director of the Assurance Professional Standards Group.

After more than 25 years with Andersen, Dorsey moved to Grant Thornton LLP, another global accounting firm in 2002. Currently, he is a partner in Grant Thornton’s National Office, working as the Managing Partner of Innovative Services Development. He monitors upcoming changes and developments in laws, regulations, and the business environment and works with the audit, tax and advisory services lines to develop integrated solutions that bring confidence to the financial reporting, tax planning, IT systems development and other objectives of dynamic organizations.

Dorsey is co-editor of Current Issues in Auditing, an academic journal, and a member of the board of the Grant Thornton Foundation. Dorsey is married to another native Texan, Cynthia, and they have two daughters, both born in Houston. One daughter, Natalie Crawford, is an architect living in Richardson with her husband, Brian, also an architect, and son, Nathan. The other daughter, Jennifer Arnold, is a CPA who lives in northern Virginia outside Washington, D.C. with her husband, Ryan, a banker, and daughter, Annie.

DSM President and Managing Director Michael A. Jenkins said, “We are very lucky to have an outstanding executive and business leader like Dorsey Baskin take the helm as Chairman of the Board of Dallas Summer Musicals for 2015. He combines an impressive record of 37 years of achievement in his profession with volunteer leadership in support of the arts and has been a big supporter of DSM for some time. His firm, Grant Thornton, also counts the ballots for the annual High School Musical Theatre Awards Show and is a long-time supporter of DSM.”

New DSM Board Chairman Baskin said, “It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead this prestigious arts organization, especially during its 75th Anniversary in 2015. DSM belongs to the people of Dallas and we are here to safeguard it and make sure that it is passed along in good condition to the next generation. As a nonprofit, we work year-round to bring the best that Broadway has to offer to Dallas at an affordable ticket price and provide performing arts education opportunities to our children. With the help of sponsors, subscribers, volunteers, elected officials of the City of Dallas, and the community at large, we will continue this tradition for many years in the future.”

Immediate Past Chairman of Dallas Summer Musicals is Richard Rogers, Executive Vice President of Texas Capital Bank, with Ted Munselle, Chief Financial Officer of Landmark Nurseries, serving as Chairman Elect. Ruth Altshuler holds the title of Honorary Chair, and Michael A. Jenkins is President and Managing Director of DSM.

Other DSM Officers for 2015: Vice President – Audit, Brian Dill; Vice Presidents – Community Relations, Glenda Kemple and Nancy Natinsky; Vice President – Development, Jane Schoen; Vice President – Finance, Randy Wright; Vice Presidents – Marketing, Jennifer Altieri and Jay Fox; Vice President – Nominating, Richard Rogers; Vice President – Personnel & Compensation, Steve Watson; Secretary, Steven C. Metzger; Treasurer, David Dienes and Education and Children’s Committee Vice President, Downie Mathis.

Members of the Executive Committee are: Ruth Altshuler; Jennifer Altieri; Steven E. Beene; Ed Bratton; Brad E. Cheves; Karl Chiao; J. Diane Childress; Scott T. Collier; O. Paul Corley, Jr.; David Dienes; Brian D. Dill; Barry Epstein; Patti Flowers; Jay Fox; Stanley D. Gardner; Louis J. Grabowsky; Rick J.W. Graham; Charles L. Gummer; Sally Hoglund; Darrell E. Jordan; Sheffield Kadane III; Rebekah Hamilton Kay; Glenda Kemple; Marvin M. Lane, Jr.; Downie B. Mathis; Dr. John McCoy; Steven C. Metzger; Andrew N. Meyercord; Ted R. Munselle; Nancy Natinsky; Craig G. Ongley; James R. Pitts; Gail H. Plummer; Mark B. Plunkett; James W. Porter, Jr.; Holly Reeves; Richard L. Rogers; Jennifer Ryan; Kenneth D. Sandstad; Jane Schoen; Donald K. Spies; Michael C. Steindorf; Paul A. Stotts; Steve B. Watson; Randy Wright; and Kimberly J. Yamanouchi.

Past Chairmen of the Board for DSM are Ed Bratton; O. Paul Corley, Jr.; Stanley D. Gardner; Rick J.W. Graham; Gary Griffith; Charles L. Gummer; Darrell E. Jordan; Steven C. Metzger; James W. Porter, Jr.; Dick Quisenberry; Kenneth D. Sandstad; Donald K. Spies; Michael C. Steindorf; Paul A. Stotts; Steve B. Watson; and Kit Williams. Past Chairmen O. Paul Corley, Sr.; J. Frank Miller III; Douglas Perry; and Charles Pistor are deceased.

Now celebrating its 75th season, Dallas Summer Musicals is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theatre organization in the United States, and the sixth largest nonprofit theatre company in the nation. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

This year’s season is presented by Texas Instruments and began with A CHRISTMAS STORY, December 2-14, 2014; followed by KINKY BOOTS, February 24 – March 8, 2015; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I, March 20–April 5, 2015; THE ILLUSIONISTS, April 7-19, 2015; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, June 9-21, 2015; DIRTY DANCING, June 23–July 5, 2015; and PIPPIN, July 7-19, 2015.

About Dallas Summer Musicals:

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education, and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region.

As a nonprofit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM provides positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. DSM’s High School Musical Theatre Awards are patterned after Broadway’s Tony® Awards and celebrates the power of the arts to significantly improve all areas of education. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

Dallas Summer Musicals is presented by Texas Instruments and gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors and partners The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and The Original Cupcakery.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214.421.5678 or visit our website at www.DallasSummerMusicals.org.

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For media information, please contact Francisco Chairez at 214-413-3909 or fchairez@DallasSummerMusicals.org