02-18-2010, 11:27 PM
WT, please understand that I hear, and agree with you...to a point.
Yes, the theatre does sit empty a great deal of evenings; without a doubt, you are correct.
Please consider this though...the theatre has the potential to be open 365 days a year. That doesn't mean that 365 shows are going to "make money." I'd like to stress this point. Putting on a production, large or small takes money. When SMG books a performance, they are in essence, acting as stewards for the city of Waukegan. It is the city's money used to put on a performance...whenever the doors are open for a performance, the risk of it being a success or a failure financially falls on the city.
SMG must balance money making performances with those which don't make money &/or lose money.
Each year SMG has increased the number of performances held at the theatre.
Did you know, that under the direction of SMG, our little Genesee Theatre as made it into the Top 100 theatres in the WORLD for ticket sales? Congratulations!!!! It's either #84 or #87. I can't remember.
Also, many, many times that the theatre "sits empty," there are actually private events occuring inside.
Corporate parties, weddings & receptions, university orientations, school graduations...it's events like these, which are recruited & booked by SMG, that are the true money makers.
It would be a shame to reinvent the wheel after all the hard work that's gone into building the theatre.
Please, aldermen, renegitiate the contract with SMG, but keep them at the helm.
Yes, the theatre does sit empty a great deal of evenings; without a doubt, you are correct.
Please consider this though...the theatre has the potential to be open 365 days a year. That doesn't mean that 365 shows are going to "make money." I'd like to stress this point. Putting on a production, large or small takes money. When SMG books a performance, they are in essence, acting as stewards for the city of Waukegan. It is the city's money used to put on a performance...whenever the doors are open for a performance, the risk of it being a success or a failure financially falls on the city.
SMG must balance money making performances with those which don't make money &/or lose money.
Each year SMG has increased the number of performances held at the theatre.
Did you know, that under the direction of SMG, our little Genesee Theatre as made it into the Top 100 theatres in the WORLD for ticket sales? Congratulations!!!! It's either #84 or #87. I can't remember.
Also, many, many times that the theatre "sits empty," there are actually private events occuring inside.
Corporate parties, weddings & receptions, university orientations, school graduations...it's events like these, which are recruited & booked by SMG, that are the true money makers.
It would be a shame to reinvent the wheel after all the hard work that's gone into building the theatre.
Please, aldermen, renegitiate the contract with SMG, but keep them at the helm.