Doreen P. Cugno

Doreen P. Cugno is President & CEO and Co-Founder of Staten Island’s St. George Theatre, where she oversees day-to-day operations and the multi-million dollar capital restoration projects.

In 2004, she, her late mother, Rosemary Cappozalo, and her sister, Luanne, created St. George Theatre Restoration, Inc., a non-profit organization, to save the St. George Theatre from destruction. Opened in 1929 as a lavish movie palace and vaudeville theater, it fell on hard times and was padlocked for over 30 years. The three ladies were the driving force to bringing this theater back to life. Today, it is a thriving 1,900 seat performing arts center that has hosted world-class entertainment acts including Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Jerry Seinfeld, Smokey Robinson, and hundreds more. The organization has grown from its three founders to a full-time staff of seven, 100 part-time employees, over 100 volunteers, and a dedicated board of directors.

Ms. Cugno is a member of the League of Historic American Theaters, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation Women’s Counsel, and the Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as a Cultural Development Fund Panelist for the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. She holds a B.A. in Dance with a Minor in Music from Point Park University.

Before her current duties, Ms. Cugno had an extensive career as a dance educator/choreographer in Staten Island for over 20 years. She is the co-owner of Mrs. Rosemary's Dance Studio, established in 1959. She also taught art, and kindergarten to eighth grades, at a local Catholic school from 1988 to 1995.

Ms. Cugno resides in Staten Island with her husband Michael and two children, Michael-Scott and Rose.