February 23rd, 2010 | 1 Comment »

O.k., I am now a blogger! Or at least I’m starting to blog.

What does this mean to the casual reader of the Victoria Theatre Association/Arts Center Foundation website? I hope it means an exchange of ideas, some information transfer, some casual gossip about Broadway or shows or other things, and the chance for us to get to know each other a little better.
 
Everything written here is my opinion and not necessarily the opinion of Victoria Theatre Association or the Arts Center Foundation.  Despite the fact that I am the President and CEO of these organizations, I would like to have the freedom to be as open and candid about the things I want to write about as is possible. I am, by nature, very curious – this is interesting to me because I am not one of those people who asks a lot of questions – so maybe it isn’t a traditional kind of curiosity, but more of a restless quest for new ideas and thoughts that may stimulate even newer thoughts or ideas that can benefit Victoria Theatre Association. At any rate, I hope to bring some new ideas and strategies on arts management to this forum.  You’ll also get a chance to hear from some special guest bloggers. 

One of the hardest things facing me on this blog is the pure time pressure of producing information on a regular basis. I am going to try and commit to a regular schedule of postings, but I will warn you right now that is subject to change. That sounds a little harsh – but I’m just building up my excuses ahead of time in case I miss a post!

One of my favorite sayings lately is “let’s go out and play in the traffic.” It sends a message of adventure, or seeking out new experiences, of maybe encountering something a little dangerous.  That’s what this blog might be – a little bit of fun in the traffic.

-Ken

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December 29th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

It’s that list time of year. Best dressed, worst dressed, best films, most newsworthy moments…  And, don’t leave out live theatre!  Here are Back Stage Blog Stage’s picks: Best of Theatre 2009. 

What are your 2009 theatre favorites?  Hey, it’s 2010 on Friday! How about your favorites of the past decade? Let’s start a list!

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Posted in Theatre News

December 2nd, 2009 | 1 Comment »

A gift to the Victoria Theatre Association’s Annual Fund makes you the star! You help to bring Broadway hits and culturally diverse programming to the Miami Valley, and allow us to remain a catalyst in Downtown Dayton’s redevelopment. Your support helps make possible our Physicians for Kids Discovery Series school-day educational series, which teaches fun and important lessons to more than 40,000 students each year.

Annual Funds provide crucial unrestricted operating support to Victoria Theatre Association. With foundation and corporate resources pressured by the current economy, gifts from our Annual Fund donors provide Victoria Theatre Association with the financial stability to continue to present quality and diverse arts experiences in the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, the Victoria Theatre and The Loft Theatre.

A contribution at a level that is comfortable for you may be made by cash, check or charged to your MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover. Gifts of appreciated assets, such as stock, may also be used to make an Annual Fund gift. The full amount of your annual donation is deductible as a charitable contribution, unless otherwise noted.

Annual Fund donations also make great gifts! Your donation to the Annual Fund can be designated to honor, remember and celebrate the lives of your family members and friends. Victoria Theatre Association will make sure your personal tributes prominently appear in our Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series program books throughout the season and the people you honor are sent an immediate acknowledgement of your gift.

Your support of Victoria Theatre Association is vital. Donate now!

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Posted in Annual Fund

October 23rd, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Ticket Center Stage is the exclusive seller of WICKED tickets and tickets for any other event at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. The only way you can be sure you are purchasing legitimate tickets at the original ticket price is to buy tickets from Ticket Center Stage.

Due to the unprecedented demand for tickets to WICKED, it is likely that Dayton engagement of WICKED will sell out in record time. Here are the only ways you should buy tickets for this engagement:

  1. 1. Ticket Center Stage Box Office: Located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center at the corner of Second and Ludlow Streets in downtown Dayton.
  2. 2. Ticket Center Stage Phone Lines: (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630.
  3. 3. Ticket Center Stage Online: www.TicketCenterStage.com.

Unauthorized ticket brokers have launched websites that might include our theatre name and/or name of our shows to confuse ticket buyers. These sites may say you can purchase tickets before they go on sale, often have incorrect performance dates and increased prices, and even let you choose seats in the Schuster Center that don’t exist!

In previous engagements, when WICKED tickets are sold out, patrons have found tickets that are still available through ticket agencies or brokers. Tickets purchased through these sources are usually substantially more expensive than the original ticket price. Please know Ticket Center Stage and Victoria Theatre Association cannot prevent these agencies from buying tickets when they go on sale, and laws governing ticket brokers (and how much they can charge for tickets) vary greatly from state-to-state.

To make sure you have legitimate seats for WICKED and other shows at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre, buy from Ticket Center Stage!

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Posted in Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Seri, Theatre News, Uncategorized

September 29th, 2009 | No Comments »

Thanks to all who attended Victoria Theatre Association’s 2009-2010 Sponsor Networking Breakfast on Thursday, September 10 on the Victoria stage.

If you were able to attend we hope you found it interesting and enjoyable. If you were not able to attend, we missed you and hope that you will join us next time. This breakfast is just one way we say “thank you” to our great corporate sponsors for all they do to help us fulfill our mission to strengthen the artistic and economic vitality of our community and arts partners through presenting quality and diverse arts experiences.

We simply could not do it without you!

Best regards,

Michael Roediger
Vice President – Development


Group Sales Manager, Barrie Denmark, explains the benefits of purchasing group tickets to Peggy Weaver (Esther Price Candies), Lynette Levine ( McGohan Brabender) and guests


VTA/ACF President & CEO, Ken Neufeld greets David Mezera (Donet)


Ron Katsuyama (VTA board member and University of Dayton), Ken Neufeld, George Wymer (WDTN), and Patrick Donnelly (WDTN)


Michael Roediger (VTA VP Development), Bill Miller (Freund Freeze & Arnold) and Eva Garmen (One Lincoln Park)


Barrie Denmark and Julie Liss-Katz (Premier Health Partners) chat a bit before the breakfast begins.


Joni Magnus Ramsey (Dayton Daily News) and Lou Mason (Past President, VTA Board of Directors)


Lisa Wagner (VTA VP Ticketing and Hospitality) and Tina Rezash (Time Warner Cable) discuss the upcoming season


Victoria Theatre Association and Arts Center Foundation President & CEO Ken Neufeld expresses his appreciation to the many sponsors in attendance.


Shirley Nixon (VTA Board Member, VP at Wells Fargo) and Tim McGaffin (WDTN)


Joni Magnus Ramsey (Dayton Daily News), Karen Long (Dayton Daily News) , Sue Stevens (VTA VP- Marketing), Diane Schoeffler-Warren (VTA Public Relations Manager), and Tina Rezash (Time Warner Cable)


George Wymer (WDTN) Tim McGaffin (WDTN), Patrick Donnelly (WDTN) and Lisa Wagner.

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July 20th, 2009 | No Comments »

Thanks to everyone who attended the July 10-12, 2009 showings of WHITE CHRISTMAS at The Victoria Theatre as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series. An extra special thanks to those of you who got into the spirit of things by having your photo taken with our Santa. Here are a bunch of photos — and rest assured, you’re all on Santa’s “Nice” list now! If you’d like a copy of your photo, please email us at info@victoriatheatre.com and be sure to include the photo ID number. We will send it by email to you.

Be sure to stop back for all the other Cool Films running every weekend through August 30.

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Posted in Michelob Ultra Cool Films, Victoria Theatre

July 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

Many of you “Got Your Blonde On” for this contest. So many, that I could not narrow a winner down to just one, but chose seven instead. We had Dorothy from Oz, recent graduates, fathers and sons, Marilyn-wannabes, and ladies ready for a night on the town. Thanks for all of the great entries; I’m sorry not everyone could win! Stay tuned for more contests during our Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series and throughout the year!

If you didn’t win passbooks during the contest, don’t worry. Passbooks are still on sale at www.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling 937-228-3630. A book of ten passes is just $24 and you can use the passes in any combination all summer long and save 50% off individual ticket prices of $4.75 at the door. Where else can you enjoy a movie, FREE popcorn and soda, a concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer AND a classic cartoon for under $5.00?

See you at the movies!
Ken Neufeld
President & CEO, Victoria Theatre Association


BEAUTY: FLAUNTING WHAT YOU’VE GOT – Frank Hollingsworth & Meredith Hollingsworth of Oakwood – featured: Meredith Hollingsworth


DAVID, GPA AND MARILYN – Sandy Mudry of Oakwood – featured: Sandy’s dad and son


KTMARILYNSTATUE – Katie Arnold of Dayton


NANDRY & MARILYN’S NIGHT ON THE TOWN – Nandry Smith of Miamisburg


NORMA JEAN AND ME – Virginia Matis and Caroline Matis of Dayton – featured: Caroline Matis


WE’RE NOT IN DAYTON ANYMORE – Dave Broering and Michael Curtner of Sidney.


THE GIRL I WANTED TO BE – Gary Gilliam and Teresa Wiebusch of Dayton – featured: Teresa Wiebusch

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June 18th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

I am going to attempt to be a regular contributor to the VTA Blog site and I thought that a short post about my first opening night might be a good place to start.

I joined the VTA/ACF as President and CEO on June 1st, so yesterday was week three, day two – not that I’m counting! And Tuesday was the opening of the final show in our 2008-2009 Chase Broadway series – LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL. For me it was an evening of meeting lots of new people, seeing a show that I had never seen before, and generally watching the “process” of how a new theatre – new for me, at least – does things.

One of the great things about theatre, whether as a producer or a presenter, is that the process is essentially the same no matter the size of the venue, the type of theatre, or the show being presented. But the thing that is a bit different about the VTA is that there are so many elements involved in the overall evening that there is the potential for calamity at every corner. Let me explain.

We run a restaurant (Citilites) that was busy prior to the show and we were doing a large catered event in our “black box” theatre that involved production elements and event food services. And there was a fashion show as part of that event. We also run a parking garage – so that was busy. It was threatening rain which is always a problem, increasing the number of latecomers and chaos for the box office and house management. And on top of all that, the volunteers were presented with four different stuffers for the programs at the last minute. Oh, and did I mention that the Humane Society had rescue dogs in the lobby? I’m sure you get the picture:  the evening could have been a disaster if any one of these aspects of the operation had significant problems. And then on top of all of this you’ve got this slightly nervous new President wandering around, asking questions, and probably getting in the way.

I am happy to report that everything went off swimmingly.

Sometimes, the best thing a Prez can do – especially a new one – is to stay out of the way, trust that everyone knows what they are doing, and then thank everyone for making you look good! And that is exactly what I did!

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May 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

Saw SHREK yesterday afternoon and NINE TO FIVE last night. Both great.

SHREK is very creative, charming and entertaining … some really fabulous songs in there – not what you would expect. Brian D’Arcy James and Sutton Foster are both utterly wonderful and charming. The costumes and sets are incredible making us wonder how it will tour. Hopefully it won’t be scaled back too much! Tina is very positive about getting the show for Dayton in the next few years.

NINE TO FIVE, on which we are a producer as part of the Independent Presenters Network, was great. I was really impressed with the trio of actresses in the leads – Allison Janney doesn’t have the strongest voice, but she has a fabulous number in the second act that was written just for her! Of course her acting is superb. The staging and choreography are the next stand out to me. Very inventive choreography, very contemporary really – the whole thing is set in the late 70s/early 80s, same time as the movie was. Mark Kudisch plays Hart and he is a good foil for the ladies, as he told us was his role in the Creative Connection panel they did for us. He spends most of the show in a Foy fly harness which he says is suprisingly comfortable. Ha! Again, Tina is eager to get this show for Dayton as soon as possible and since we are part of the investment team via IPN, that will help our ability to get it on our season sooner rather than later.

Today is all conference sessions and one more show tonight – WEST SIDE STORY. WSS is one of the titles I grew up with – listened to the movie sound track and still know all the words. Can’t wait.

- Sue Stevens

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May 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

First day of the Broadway League Annual Road Conference in New York City was a busy one. Great panels and speakers on topics such as the synergy between education and marketing; current social media trends and how to apply them; diversity in the workplace; top concerns of touring Broadway presenters today; etc. Tuesday evening, Michael Roediger and I saw the Broadway revival of HAIR at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Hirschfeld Theatre). Incredible performances and all the in-your-face rebellion and passion of the 60s of the original and then some – or so my older colleagues in the League were saying at intermission. One gentleman recalled the original production and said this one was like a really great flashback. Not for the faint of heart with lots of simulated sex and drug use (of course), profanity, and even full front nudity, HAIR is packed with infectious enthusiasm. More later on what the rest of our party saw last night.

Tomorrow I’ve been asked to chime in on the subject of customer service, how you track it, how you focus on it, how you reward staff who “get it.” A subject that Victoria Theatre Association is pretty well versed in. I’ll be talking about our customer service survey on our website – check it out at the survey link in the upper right corner of the home page. I’ll also be talking about our Spotlight Awards and how we encourage and reward our staff to take the utmost care of our patrons.

Dayton native and Tony-nominated Allison Janney was one of a panel of speakers from NINE TO FIVE at a conference session Tuesday. She and her fellow cast members were joined by Dolly Parton to be interviewed with wit and style by the inimitable Liz Smith. A real treat!

- Sue Stevens

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