Otto Vazquez - Artistic Director Portfolio

Welcome to the online portfolio of Otto Vazquez, freelance Artistic Director and Festival/Event Producer. Otto Vazquez served as the Artistic Director of LEAF Festivals (www.theleaf.org) for four years, where he shaped the creative vision and elevated the festival experience through innovative programming and strategic leadership. Under his direction, LEAF Festivals flourished, blending diverse artistic disciplines with culturally rich themes that resonated with audiences and performers alike. Otto’s ability to curate dynamic performances, secure major grant funding, and foster meaningful community engagement established him as a driving force behind the festival's success.

Commissioned poster design: Traditional Mayan influenced piece, by an artist from Chiapas Mexico.

Hand drawn commissioned tee shirt design to match an event theme, 2024.

Work Experience:

Under Otto’s leadership, his team executed LEAF’s three flagship events: the Spring Retreat (2,000 attendees), the LEAF Downtown Concert Series (15,000 attendees), and the Fall Festival (10,000 attendees). His tenure saw record-breaking sales and elevated the festival’s impact, managing an annual operational budget in the millions for the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. His role encompassed high-level curation, strategic planning, and seamless execution of these large-scale multicultural events. His duties included:

Grants: Otto’s role began with crafting the annual programming theme, guiding the design and writing of grant proposals, and securing an impressive 85% success rate in awarded grants. Over his tenure, he helped secure over $3 million in funding, including the SVOG, grants from the NEA, South Arts, and numerous other prestigious organizations, while ensuring accurate distribution and thorough reporting to funding partners.
Bookings: The position required that he attend music conferences to find new national and international talent, negotiate contracts and book talent. Then he paid, hosted talent, assisted with travel accommodations and took part in the entire booking process.
Art Direction: Based on the themes, he would hire appropriate artists, help design poster art and artwork that would represent each festival visually. These designs would then be printed on merchandise like bags, hats and tee-shirts, to be sold at each festival to commemorate each experience uniquely.
Schedule Layout: Designed schedules, layout of festivals, based on specifics like headliners touring schedule, knowing what works best with different time slots and the proper orchestration of events.
Crew Hiring & Management: Otto was responsible for the following festival crews: Stagehands, Sound/Light Techs, Festival Security Teams, Hospitality Teams, Artist Transportation, On & Off-site Transportation, and Artist Check-In Teams (between 75-90 crew members each festival). From hiring, training, scheduling and management, Otto was responsible for the largest amount of crews in every festival.
Festival Assistant Director: Worked directly under the Festival Director and had to take courses on Festival Safety, Electrical Safety, Crowd Control, Emergency Evacuation and worked under The Art of Mass Gathering to constantly improve on elements such as Accessibility, Efficiency, Safety and Smart Festival Layouts.
Sponsors & Donors: Otto connected with sponsors constantly, acquiring hotel sponsors, catering sponsors, building with donors and securing financing and services that aided each festival. Otto actively was part of the team that fostered these relationships and it was a major factor of his job.
Show Producer & Performer: Otto curated immersive experiences blending dance, theatrics, and high concepts, with groundbreaking new ideas. Like his show Street Dance: 100 Years of Innovation - a guided tour through a century of urban dance featuring over 50 dancers - a reoccurring fan favorite. He tailored each production to reflect the festival’s yearly theme.
Marketing & Development: Otto connected the company with a marketing specialist and, with the admin team, created a streamlined brand guide. He also modernized outdated systems by developing a festival website portal that organized artist documents, saving hours of work and allowing one person to manage tasks previously handled by two.
Social Media Marketing: Otto’s duties included crafting compelling copy to engage audiences, ensuring consistent brand messaging across all platforms, and strategically managing social media posts to maximize reach and audience engagement.
Publicist Work: Before each event, Otto crafted and distributed detailed press releases, highlighting key themes, performers, and unique aspects of the production to generate buzz. He actively built and maintained relationships with reporters, radio hosts, and columnists, securing media coverage through interviews, feature articles, and radio spots to maximize audience engagement and attendance.
Promotions: As part of each festival, Otto actively engaged with the media through live interviews on TV and radio, providing insights into the creative process and the artistic vision behind his productions. He also contributed to magazine features, newspaper articles, and social media campaigns, helping to generate buzz and connect with a broader audience..
Event Host: Organized and hosted exclusive parties and fundraisers at diverse venues, including privately owned homes, local breweries, vibrant nightclubs, and fairgrounds. These events featured live performances, curated music, themed décor, and interactive experiences designed to engage guests and foster community support.
Administration & Reporting: Data Entry, Grant Reporting, Annual Plans, Monthly Reports to CEO, Board of Director Slides, Financial Reports to CFO, Training, Critical Conversations, Critical Accountability, DEI Training.
Securing Backline and Headliner Requests: From acquiring tech & hospitality riders, Otto managed the complex logistics of securing DJ backline, instruments, specialized lighting, and staging to ensure seamless performances at LEAF Festivals. His attention to detail and deep understanding of production needs helped create a professional and immersive experience for both artists and audiences.
The previously listed duties are a summary, more in-depth information can be furnished upon request.
Festival Lineups:
In Otto’s recent four-year tenure as an Artistic Director, he brought a very diverse group of acts to LEAF Festival:
Sheila E., NewCleus, Rahzel of The Roots, Tito Puente Jr & his Orchestra, Dan Tyminski, Grandmaster Caz/Cold Crush Brothers, The Headhunters, Preservation Hall, Halluci-Nation, Angelique Kidjo, Martha Redbone, Orquesta Akokan, Sierra Hull, The Black Opri, Cana Dulce - Cana Brava, Rocky Dawuni, Agent 23 Skidoo, Las Cafeteras, CimaFunk, Songs From the Road Band, DakhaBrakha, Donna the Buffalo, Rising Appalachia, Chatham County Line, Son Rompe Pera, Genticorum, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Trap Jazz, Making Movies, Pierce Freelon, SupaMan, among many more. Full Line Ups Available on festival site www.theleaf.org.
Previous Work Experience:
Rock With U Entertainment, South Florida (2009-2012) www.rockwithu.com
Duties included: Bookings, Office Management, Talent Direction, Choreographer, Emcee/Host on events.
Carnival Cruises, Tampa Bay Florida (2010-2011) www.carnival.com
Completed two 6-month-contracts onboard the Carnival Inspiration out of Tampa Bay, Florida. Duties Included: Social Host, Atrium Show Host & Entertainer, Crew Leader, Muster Station Leader. On occasion, I was asked to back up our security team due to my physical build.
Break, The Urban Funk Spectacular, Off-Broadway Show, New York (2003-2009) www.loveproductions.com
Duties Included: Performer, Soloist, National/International Tour Manager (handled flights, accommodations, funds distribution, scheduling, rehearsal, hiring-firing, acted as a liaison with presenters and theater personnel, while being a performer in the show.) Toured 25 countries and every state in the U.S. with the exception of Alaska & Hawaii.