Director of Development &

Donor Relations

Marlo Abril-Viriña

As a Filipino-American artist and fundraising professional, Marlo Abril-Viriña is deeply committed to celebrating underrepresented voices and fostering inclusive, accessible spaces for creators. At DePaul University, he honed his writing skills in their Film & Television program, where he learned firsthand how vital funding access and institutional support are to creative projects. Then, as a graduate student in Northwestern University's Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) program, Marlo deepened his understanding of how artistic vision and organizational strategy must work together. His particular focus was in grant writing, donor relations, and impact measurement as tools for building stability within arts and culture nonprofit organizations.

Marlo believes artists and community-focused organizations deserve funding structures that honor their integrity, labor and lived experiences. As Citadel Theatre's Director of Development and Donor Relations, his goal is to build sustainable systems that reduce burnout, increase access, and allow creative communities to thrive for the long term. Between the creative beats, you can find him indulging in his love of immersive theatre, strong coffee, and good food, always on the hunt for his next great story to tell.

We are excited to welcome Marlo to the Citadel Theatre family!