- July 29, 2026
Craig Uppercue, the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center’s new director, is an overachiever and a multitasker. In other words, he’s perfect for his new role.
Uppercue is an employee of Flagler Schools, and he also runs a nonprofit — the performing arts center on the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School.
He is not only the director at the Fitz, he is also the new adminstrator of the school district’s Flagler Youth Orchestra. And he is the director of the district’s K-12 Visual and Performing Arts programs, including the district’s dance, theater, band, choir, general music and 2D, 3D and digital arts programs.
“It’s a very unique position, because we are the only performing arts center in Florida that is directly affiliated with the public school district,” said Upercue, who came on board July 8 and is replacing Amelia Fulmer, who officially retires July 31. “I work for the school district, which is incredible, and run the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, where we bring professional plays, musicals and professional acts to our stage.”
Fulmer has been an educator with Flagler Schools for 38 years, the last seven as the Fitz’s director. She is moving to New Smyrna Beach where she will be on the board of trustees for the Hub on Canal, a downtown community arts center featuring rotating arts exhibitions and working artist studios. She is also on the board of directors for the Daytona Beach Symphony Society and is a Florida vocal Association choral adjudicator.
“I started all these things in the last six months, because I wanted to still have something to cook on and make new friends,” Fulmer said. “The last seven years, I've grown a lot and learned a lot about how to run a business. Now I’ll be doing quite a different thing, but I’m excited.”
In her final weeks with Flagler Schools, Fulmer has helped Uppercue transition into his new position.
“Craig has a lot to learn [about his new job], but I know that he can do it,” Fulmer said. “I know he's got the right attitude. He's got that growth mindset as all good educators do.”
None of his new roles are unfamiliar territory. Upercue has most recently been Volusia County Schools’ fine arts specialist overseeing visual and performing arts programs. From 2013 to 2022, he was the artistic director for the Athens Theatre in DeLand, a full-time job, while also working full time for Volusia County Schools.
He taught music on the elementary, middle and high school levels for 16 years in Seminole and Volusia counties before moving into administration seven years ago. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at Stetson University, a master’s degree in educational leadership at Grand Canyon University and an education specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Stetson.
And he is wrapping up his doctorate degree in curriculum instruction from Liberty University.
“All of my coursework and dissertation are done,” he said. “So I'm just waiting to cross the stage at this point.”
Uppercue lives in DeLand with his wife and three children and said he’s been enjoying the quiet time of his new commute. He wife told hime that if they move closer to Palm Coast it will be to north DeLand.
Uppercue’s new office is not far from the Fitz’s stage, a place where he feels at home. He is a percussionist. He performed in the orchestra for the “Lion King” on Broadway and on national tour.
He grew up in Tampa. Both of his parents are musicians and educators. His father taught music for 42 years in Hillsborough County Public Schools. His mother, a former banker, is now a guidance counselor. Uppercue grew up playing in the Tampa youth orchestras and also performed in professional theater.
He has experience for all the different roles his new job entails, but he’s never been able to combine them all under one umbrella.
I think what's most exciting is really combining all the things that I love in one place. For at least the last 10 to 15 years, I felt very torn in my jobs with the Athens Theatre, and in the school district. I was being pulled in a lot of different directions, and it wasn't for one common purpose and one common mission.
— CRAIG UPPERCUE
“I think what's most exciting is really combining all the things that I love in one place,” he said. “For at least the last 10 to 15 years, I felt very torn in my jobs with the Athens Theatre, and in the school district. I was being pulled in a lot of different directions, and it wasn't for one common purpose and one common mission.”
Now his jobs are all connected. The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center is a direct support organization for Flagler Schools. The professional shows support the community. High school students, by their junior or senior year, get to work in theater in the sound and lighting department, doing stagehand work and stage managment, operating the spot light, as well as working in the front of the house — in the snack bar, learning how to manage the lobby, taking tickets, learning customer service while working with the box office staff.
“We refer to it often as the ultimate classroom for the arts,” he said. “So, they can have those opportunities where they're learning and growing.”
Uppercue said Fulmer has grown a tremendous team at the Fitz with a staff that handles the box office, bookkeeping, ticket sales and marketing.
“When I think about arts and education,” he said, “the professional shows that come here allow us to give back to the school district, so that when it comes time we can utilize some of the funding that we may make as a nonprofit. We can help a school buy a tuba. We can help kids afford voice lessons. We can help the theater programs at the high schools.”
Uppercue hasn’t met the Fitz’s entire governing board yet. He said he’s going to take the next few months to get to know all of the Fitzgerald’s stakeholders including folks who regularly attend the shows as well as those who never come, so he can see what shows the Fitz can bring in to appeal to the next generation.
Fulmer said Uppercue’s new responsibilities are all in the name of arts education.
“So, I'm excited for Mr. Uppercue to come in and give a little bit more emphasis to that,” she said, “because that's what I've tried to do.”
