Onetime teen pageant producer to help run local circus

SARASOTA — Jennifer Mitchell, a former executive director and producer for the Miss America Teen Pageant program, has been named managing director of Circus Sarasota.

Mitchell has been the marketing director for Circus Sarasota, a nonprofit performing arts and educational organization, since 2008. Mitchell will assist circus executives with a vision for regional and national expansion in the newly created position, according to a release. Circus Sarasota also recently hired Sarasota-based Be Creative Studios to work on the organization's marketing and brand positioning.

“We are thrilled to have Jennifer as our new managing director and Be Creative Studios as our marketing and creative partner,” Circus Sarasota Founder and CEO Pedro Reis says in the statement. “Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to her new role. These are exciting times for Circus Sarasota, and we look forward to unveiling a whole host of new ideas next season.”

Mitchell has coordinated hundreds of national events and activities over the last 20 years, according to the release, in addition to her work with the Miss America Teen Pageant.