Summer 2016 Vol. 39 No. 2 IN THE LEAGUE OF HISTORIC AMERICAN THEATRES LEAGUE LHAT 40th Anniversary National Conference 9 Newport Drive, Ste. 200 Forest Hill, MD 21050 July40th 17-20, ANNUAL 2016 (T) 443.640.1058 (F) 443.640.1031 WWW.LHAT.ORG CONFERENCE & THEATRE TOUR ©2016 LEAGUE OF HISTORIC AMERICAN THEATRES. Chicago, IL ~ JULY17-20, 2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Greetings from Board Chair, Jeffery Gabel 2016 Board of Directors On behalf of your board of directors, welcome to Chicago and the L Dana Amendola eague of Historic American Theatres’ 40th Annual Conference Disney Theatrical Group and Theatre Tour. Our beautiful conference hotel is located in John Bell the heart of Chicago’s historic theatre district which has seen FROM it all from the rowdy heydays of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show to Tampa Theatre Randy Cohen burlesque and speakeasies to the world-renowned Lyric Opera, Americans for the Arts Steppenwolf Theatre and Second City. John Darby The Shubert Organization, Inc. I want to extend an especially warm welcome to those of you Michael DiBlasi, ASTC who are attending your first LHAT conference. You will observe old PaPantntaggeses Theh attrer , LOL S ANANGGELEL S Schuler Shook Theatre Planners friends embracing as if this were some sort of family reunion. That’s COAST Molly Fortune because, for many, LHAT is a family whose members can’t wait Newberry Opera House to catch up since last time. It is a family that is always welcoming Jeffrey W. Gabel new faces with fresh ideas and even more colorful backstage Majestic Theater stories. Lasting friendships and valuable connections are made Becky Hancock here as we celebrate each others’ triumphs and comfort one Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation another’s woes. Micah Hollingworth Jujamcyn Theaters I am particularly grateful for the gracious hospitality of our Margaret Lake conference host, Dulcie Gilmore – LHAT board member emeritus Theatre Doctors Inc. and recipient of our “Outstanding Individual Contribution Award", Mark Litvin as well as former manager of Chicago’s celebrated Arie Crown New York City Center Theater and Oriental Theatre. And a special thank you to fellow Peter Means ASU Gammage board member, Bill Register at Nederlander, for all his efforts. Karen Nelson While I want you to enjoy this “toddling town,” the heart and soul American Swedish Institute of our annual conference are the educational sessions. Whatever NeNeded rlrlanandeder ThT eaeatrtre,e NENEW YOY RKRK Björn Olsson role you play at your theatre, you will find this year’s sessions offer Tarrytown Music Hall a dynamic range of topics presented by the finest experts in our Steve Peters VenuWorks industry who will help you solve some of the problems you may be Brian Phoebus facing. Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc. LHAT’s conference and its service to the field of historic theatres Bill Register are made possible through the extraordinary generosity of our Nederlander Organization sponsors. Their financial support gives LHAT the resources it needs Joseph Rosenberg, Ph.D. V.I.P. Tours of New York to provide you with an outstanding experience this week and to Michael Schnoering, FAIA provide support and services to you throughout the year. If you Mills+Schnoering, LLC see someone wearing a sponsor ribbon, please thank them and Paul Siemborski, AIA keep them in mind as a resource should you need their services. Westlake Reed Leskosky Finally, please take a moment to thank our talented and dedicat- Stephanie Silverman ed LHAT staff - starring Ken Stein as President & CEO, with support- Belcourt Theatre Lynne King Smith ing cast members Colleen Poehlman, Tisha Shelden and Theresa BaBankn of AmAmererici a ThTheaeatrree,, CHCHICCAGAGO TicketForce Grier. They have worked tirelessly to make sure you have an expe- Alec Stoll rience this week that is both fun and transformative. Stages Consultants As Frank Sinatra belted about Chicago, “On State Street that Tom Tomlinson great street I just want to say, they do things that they never do on HOHONNORING CEELLEEBRBRATINNGG CULTIVATINING Charleston Gaillard Center (former) Kelly Updike Broadway.” Have a great conference! the Past the Present the Future Embassy Theatre Foundation, Inc. BOARD EMERITUS Dulcie Gilmore Arie Crown Theater (retired) Alice & Halsey North Jeffery W. Gabel The North Group, Inc. Chairman, League of Historic American Theatres Darlene Smolik Founding Executive Director, Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater NEDERLANDER ORGANIZATION, INC. Plymouth Soundings, LLC Vice Chairman, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts 40th Anniversary Conference & Theatre Tour July 2016 INLEAGUE | PAGE 1 The League of Historic American Theatres together with PROTECT YOUR THEATRE'S The Nederlander Organization, The Shubert Organization Disney Theatrical Group and Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc. present The LHAT 40th Annual Conference and Theatre Tour Chicago, IL JULY 17-20, 2016 Chicago Local Host and Grandeur Planning Committee LHAT Board Emeritus Broadway in Chicago Nederlander Producing Co. of Dulcie Gilmore America, Inc. Former Manager, Arie Crown Theater Bill Register Vice President, Operations LHAT Staff Ken Stein Colleen Poehlman Theresa Grier President & CEO Director of Membership Services Interactive Marketing Manager Tisha Shelden To learn more about the Historic Theatre Insurance Program, contact Kevin Sullivan: Membership Services Coordinator 410.547.3176 or [email protected] Photo Courtesy: Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ. CONTENTS: 2016 Conference Program .............................................................................................................4 Sunday 7/17 .................................................................................................................................4 Monday 7/18 ...............................................................................................................................5 Tuesday 7/19 ................................................................................................................................8 Wednesday 7/20 .........................................................................................................................12 Acoustics Preservation at Cary Memorial Hall .............................................................................15 Back to the Future: The Lebowsky Center .....................................................................................17 Awards Program ..............................................................................................................................20 Theatre Tours (Ramble) ...................................................................................................................22 Theatre Tours (Conference) ............................................................................................................26 LHAT Member Survey Results ..........................................................................................................30 Sponsors (Service Providers) Information ......................................................................................31 Speaker Bios ....................................................................................................................................40 40th Anniversary Conference & Theatre Tour July 2016 INLEAGUE | PAGE 3 how you can use LHAT’s resources to achieve your 40th Anniversary Conference & Theatre Tour goals. In this introductory session for new members Monday, July 18, 2016 or new staff, we will cover historic theatre marketing, All events at Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel CHICAGO, IL - July 17-20, 2016 fundraising and operation basics. This will also be a unless otherwise noted great opportunity to network with members of LHAT’s CHECK THE NEW LHAT MOBILE APP FOR UPDATES national board of directors and make new friends to All sessions and events are at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel unless otherwise noted. hang out with during the conference. 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM All events and locations, times, tours and speakers subject to change so check your LHAT APP or Presenter: Ken Stein, President & CEO, League of REGISTRATION OPEN the registration area at the hotel. Historic American Theatres, Austin, TX (Looking Grand Ballroom Foyer, 2nd Floor) Sunday, July 17, 2016 3:45 - 6:00 PM 7:30 - 8:30 AM IRST IMER S ELCOME OUNGE REGISTRATION OPEN 11:00AM - 6:00PM in the Grand Ballroom Foyer, 2nd Floor F T ' W L EYE OPENER BREAKFAST: PEER DISCUSSIONS & (Located in Discover, 2nd Floor) NETWORKING If this is your first LHAT National Conference, please (Looking Glass Ballroom, 3rd Floor) LHAT PRE-CONFERENCE RAMBLE EARLY BIRD INTENSIVES make time on Sunday to stop by the First Timers Seek advice from your LHAT colleagues and Welcome Lounge. Enjoy a cold beverage and meet share experiences in historic theatre operations, Bus leaves at 8:30 am (7:30AM breakfast) 2:00 - 5:00 PM some fellow attendees, including your "first friend" programming, management and facilities through a (if possible). Ask questions and get pointers from Pre-Conference Historic Theatre Ramble Pre-registration is required to ensure a spot; limit highly interactive information exchange. A favorite seasoned LHAT conference attendees. of LHAT conferences, this breakfast session introduces Sponsored by: 50 people each session. Check the registration you to valuable resources within the League’s network. area to see if a spot is still available. 6:45 - 7:45 PM Sponsored by: HISTORIC THEATRE TOUR Pre-Conference Ramble requires an Early Bird Option #1: