My Profile

Sarah Cissna, MFA

The Side Lobby

Contact Details

The Side Lobby

Bio

Based in Washington, DC, Sarah has been directing events and productions for more than 20 years.  In 2013, she launched The Side Lobby, a firm achieving marketing goals through events, specializing in small and mid-sized nonprofits and arts organizations.  Recent clients include National Network to End Domestic Violence, Housing Up, Global Forest Watch, and Eastern Market Main Street.  Prior to launching The Side Lobby, she was the in-house event planner at two DC-area arts organizations and a small PR firm as the Director of Special Events.

Sarah is an active member of the International Live Events Association where she currently serves as a director on the International Board of Governors.  She received ILEA’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2018, and earned the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation in 2012.

Sarah holds a BA in theatre from the College of William and Mary, an MFA in directing from Catholic University, and a certificate in event management from George Washington University.