That afternoon launched a career spanning theaters, arenas, convention centers, and stadiums, a career grounded in bringing high-quality programming to communities while staying rooted in their character. When the King Center opportunity came, the decision was about more than the job.
“ I chose Melbourne because professionally it was a great and exciting opportunity,” he says.“ But more than that, I chose this community because it’ s where I wanted to raise my family.”
SETTLING IN, SIZING UP
A few months into the role, Palmiotti has had time to take the measure of the institution he now helps lead, and three things have stood out.
The first is the staff.“ I’ ve been really impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the team,” he says.“ They genuinely care about making this venue successful, and it shows in everything they do.”
The second is the programming. For a market the size of Brevard County, the King Center’ s calendar rivals that of much larger cities.“ We compete with major markets, but the King Center has a long history of delivering top-quality content to this community,” he notes. That content spans decades and includes artists like Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, John Legend, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, and Steve Martin and Martin Short.
The third is the venue, a six-story, 100,000-square-foot facility that houses the 2,016-seat L3Harris Technologies Theatre, the intimate 300-seat Studio Theatre, the Lexus Lounge VIP room, The Backstage Vault lounge, and more. At nearly 40 years old, it remains in remarkable condition.“ This building has been incredibly well cared for by EFSC over the years,” Palmiotti says.“ It’ s a testament to the level of support and commitment the College has shown since the very beginning.”
WHAT’ S ON DECK This season, the Center’ s mission takes the stage in a big way. The Broadway at the King Center series, now continuing into its sixth season, brings three acclaimed national touring productions to the L3Harris Technologies Theatre. The lineup includes the breathtaking, circus-infused spectacle Water for Elephants, the high energy, pink-powered musical celebration Legally Blonde the Musical, and the electrifying, Tony award-winning musical phenomenon Hadestown.
The holidays take the King Center stage with a full lineup of seasonal favorites from the community’ s own performers. The Space Coast Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker on December 5 & 6, and the Brevard Community Chorus performs Handel’ s Messiah on December 12. Joining the December holiday lineup is the return of the classic“ A Christmas Carol” on December 21.
LOOKING AHEAD As the King Center approaches its fourth decade, Palmiotti sees an institution whose purpose is as clear as ever, in a community worth serving.
“ My family and I are excited to be here, and I’ m looking forward to everything the Space Coast has to offer,” he says.“ My commitment is to workday in and day out to deliver what this community expects from the venue, and to be a thoughtful steward of this important asset to the College and the community.”
For a venue that has spent 38 years bringing the world’ s best entertainment to the Space Coast, the next chapter isn’ t about resting on that history. It’ s about building on it.
For a full schedule of events, visit kingcenter. com / events.
18 EFSC CONNECTIONS FALL 2026