Numa Saisselin stands inside the Florida Theatre in mid-2023, as a renovation began. Saisselin has resigned as the theater's president. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
Published on December 10, 2025 at 12:53 pm
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Numa Saisselin has resigned as president of the Florida Theatre after 13 years at the historic facility.
The board of directors named Kevin Stone, the vice president of programming, to serve as interim president, effective immediately
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Theatre officials said Saisselin informed the board recently of his decision to resign as president, effective Tuesday.
Theatre spokesperson Beth Carper said that the Board of Directors did not cast “a vote of no confidence.” And a statement from the theater Wednesday also gave no information about what led to Saisselin’s departure.
“We thank Numa and his wife, Laurie, for their more than 13 years of service to the Theatre, and we wish them the best in their future endeavors,” the statement reads. “During his time as president, Numa led multiple initiatives to strengthen the Theatre’s ties to both the North Florida and arts and entertainment communities, furthering our place as one of the most revered and well-attended theatres in America.”
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Contacted Wednesday, Saisselin told Jacksonville Today that his resignation was a mutual decision, deciding “our time was done and I left voluntarily.” He did not respond to questions about what might have led to the decision.
“The Boy Scouts always taught me to leave the campsite better than I found it, and I am confident I left the Florida Theatre in a better place than it was 13 years ago,” he said. “The Jacksonville audience has embraced what we have done with the theater over the last 10-plus years, and that was extremely gratifying, and I hope everybody will continue to support the theatre because it is an important economic driver for Downtown, and an important part of our cultural community.”
Florida Theatre’s past
The Florida Theatre opened in April 1927, one of six theaters on Forsyth Street, erected on the former site of Jacksonville’s police station. Originally a movie theater, it moved to live presentations and concerts. The League of Historic American Theatres gave its 2025 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award to the Florida Theatre in July.
The theatre underwent an $8 million restoration in 2023 that included new paint matching the 1927 original, redone bathrooms, restored architecture and an upgraded air conditioning system to preserve all those changes.
Unveiled in October 2023, the restoration was part of a larger, multiyear project estimated to total $25 million by the time it’s all done, Saisselin said at the time.
The project included new theater seating, upgraded lighting and sound systems and the Remedy Lounge and VIP room on the second floor lobby. Restoration of the marquee was scheduled to be next, officials said.
The Florida Theatre’s statement Wednesday said it will soon begin a formal search for the next permanent leader. A committee appointed by the board will lead the search, aided by an external search firm.
“We anticipate there will be opportunities for our community to participate in this process in the weeks and months ahead,” the statement said. “We encourage you to provide your feedback and input as the board works to identify a leader who will help us write the next chapter of the Florida Theatre’s storied success.”
The statement also said that the leadership transition will not affect or interrupt the Florida Theatre’s operations or “commitment to enhancing the North Florida community’s quality of life through diverse and memorable arts and entertainment experiences.” It said Stone has been part of the organization for 12 years, with more than two decades of experience in the performing arts industry.
Saisselin is a graduate of the State University of New York’s Fredonia School of Music. The New Jersey native has handled arts administration and concert promotion, according to his biography.
He was executive director of Minnesota’s Paramount Center for the Arts from 1992 to 1997 and managing and artistic director at the College of Staten Island Center for the Performing Arts from 1998 to 2002. He was CEO of the Count Basie Theatre in New Jersey from 2002 until he took over the Florida Theatre position.
Speaking to Jacksonville Today, Saisselin said he hopes to have an announcement about his “next move” soon. He said there are always regrets about things not done.
“But I am very happy with all of the capital improvements we were able to make with the building, and all the increases in programing activity,” he said. “It’s a team sport — I am just one person, and there are lots of people that play a role in that, and I am confident that will continue for the Northeast Florida community.”
