Kellis Group at School to Work

Last Thursday high school students from four schools across the Valley participated in the ASU Gammage School to Work Workshop. Students from Raymond S. Kellis High School in Peoria, Camelback High School and Bostrom High School in Phoenix, and Learning Foundation for the Performing Arts in Gilbert got an inside look at what it takes to put on a show at ASU Gammage.

The School to Work workshop teams students with ASU Gammage staff to learn about the responsibilities of the different departments at ASU Gammage and the process of bringing a show to the ASU Gammage stage using real life scenarios. The students got a crash course in arts presenting from the ASU Gammage staff, and in just a few short hours were making decisions about choosing a show, developing fundraising strategies, creating marketing plans, reading technical riders, setting up a show at the box office and learning how to navigate budgets. After learning all about their assigned departments the students report to the rest of the group what their department needs to do to present a show. After working all morning students were taken on an exciting backstage tour of the set of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Company Manager Deb Barrigan. Students loved the chance to get an up close look at the set and costumes, and to learn more about what it like to work with a national touring company.

It truly is a joy to share what we do here at Gammage with students, and to the School to Work workshop gives us an exciting opportunity to introduce them to potential careers in the arts that they might not have ever thought about.

Thanks so much to all of the students who participated in last week’s workshop, great job.

Here is some feedback from one of the students:

My experience at the recent School to Work program was interesting. I had no idea what to expect. Coach Moore, my volleyball coach, said I would like it….but I was not sure. Coach Moore really does not take “no” for an answer so I knew we were going. Anyway, she got the head coach, Vicky Bauler, to take us. Coach Bauler is the BIGGEST Beauty and the Beast fan so she said “YES”. So off we went to find out what this was all about.

Turns out it is really cool!! We got to learn about all the work it takes to bring a Broadway show to a city. We broke into small groups and learned about how departments work together to make the show happen. It was super interesting. Then we got to tour the set. I learned a lot and I had fun. I hope we get to do this again.

Nicole ,Raymond S. Kellis High School

Message from Colleen (Exec. Director of ASU Gammage)

(Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Executive Director of ASU Gammage)

Recently returned from NYC to see more shows as part of my duty as Arizona’s Tony Award voter, I have 60 to season this season!

It’s fall and time for Tony season and football! No, this is not a mistake for this new season on Broadway the two go hand in hand. LOMBARDI the new play on Broadway about the legendary coach and the namesake of the Super Bowl trophy is playing at Circle in the Square. Call it kismet, but following a trip to Lambeau Field and watching my husband’s beloved Packers I flew to NYC to see LOMBARDI. Dutifully attired in my Packer jersey (#12) I ran into Thomas Kai, the director in the lobby. (You will remember that Tommy was the director for IN THE HEIGHTS and came to ASU GAMMAGE to help Lin Manuel Miranda work back into the show, Tommy even joined us for our TalkBack).

Tommy was delighted to see me in my Packer jersey and commented that it helped to set the correct tone. The play focused on Vince the coach and home life with his indomitable wife Marie. The PACKER National was in full attendance. This play marks another first on Broadway; one of the producing partners is the NFL. The NFL was so excited about LOMBARDI that there are plans for other Broadway shows. Hmmm. …CARDINALS the musical. We’ll see.

Inspiration abounds with the PITMEN PAINTERS at the Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. This is a great story of British miners who discover their talent and love for culture and they proceed to capture the attention of the visual art world. A true story that underscores that creativity is not the sole province of one class. These fine actors came from across the pond in the West End where PITMEN PAINTERS is a huge success.

Cherry Jones dominates the stage and gets a hold of you and does not let go in MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION. The play is about the business that Cherry’s character is in and her conservative daughter coming to grips with it. While the play feels long in the run and does bog downed in parts, seeing Cherry Jones is worth it.

Always keeping an eye out off Broadway, plus following up on a rain check performance of Edward Albee’s ME, MYSELF & I at Playwright’s Horizons which closed out my trip. The first time I was scheduled to see the show one of the leads who plays a twin was out sick. So the theater graciously rerouted us to later performances. The story of a twin trying to separate himself from family was Albee-lite, but I do love the fact that Playwrights Horizons invests in new work and is the most patron accommodating theater.

Already planning my next trip as TONY letters await for BRIEF ENCOUNTER, LIFE IN THE THEATRE and TIME STANDS STILL (which I saw last year but it must have missed the Tony nom deadline). See you at ASU GAMMAGE or on ole Broadway.

- Colleen Jennings-Roggensack

ASU GAMMAGE - TYPE A MARKETING APPOINTS EXECUTIVE MICHAEL PORTO

ASU Gammage announced today that Michael Porto will leave his post as Director of Marketing & Communications to become Executive Vice President of Type A Marketing in New York City. Victor Hamburger, Director of Marketing for Wharton Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan State University will assume the role in November previously held by Porto.

Porto will work closely with Anne Rippey, President of Type A on the marketing of its slate of Broadway and National Touring productions.

Porto’s work over the past six years has been a factor in ASU Gammage becoming one of the top Broadway touring markets in North America. ASU Gammage’s mission of “Connecting Communities” informs the innovative promotional, interactive and grassroots marketing strategies that have yielded record sales and media exposure for the ten Broadway productions annually.

Hamburger comes to ASU Gammage with more than 11 years experience at Wharton Center, rising from student graphic designer to Director of Marketing. He currently manages marketing, subscriptions, advertising and interactive media for Wharton which presents more than 180 productions annually, including Touring Broadway.

“Michael has been a tremendous asset to ASU Gammage and we know he will excel at Type A and continue to be a leader in the Broadway industry,” stated Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU Gammage Executive Director. “We are delighted to bring Victor on board to replace Michael in this key marketing role. He is a known player in the industry and his consistent marketing leadership will help us remain one of the Road’s top-producing touring markets,” she added.

Porto and Hamburger are both active in The Broadway League and serve as Co-Chairs of the Road Marketing Committee.

“Michael has been instrumental in shaping the marketing of Broadway on a national level, with his strategic, innovative and sophisticated campaigns. That success has made him a bona fide industry leader. It is a privilege to have him on board. He will be an asset not only for Type A Marketing, but for the entire Broadway community,” says Anne Rippey, President of Type A.

Located on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, ASU Gammage is among the largest university-based presenters of performing arts in the world. ASU Gammage is the home theater of the PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona and Beyond series. Its mission is connecting communities by providing artistic excellence and educational outreach to the public. ASU Gammage is an historic hall designed by internationally-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. asugammage.com

Type A Marketing is an independent entertainment marketing company that specializes in Broadway and National Touring productions. Marketing Direction services include strategic partnerships, inventory management, group sales management, media and non-media trade, grassroots campaigns and oversight of advertising and publicity campaigns. Current and upcoming Broadway productions include American Idiot, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, La Bête, Million Dollar Quartet, Promises, Promises, The Addams Family, The Phantom of the Opera and Yank. Current and upcoming National Tours include A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, The Phantom Of The Opera and The Addams Family.