Page 2 - Clemens Center 2015–16 Annual Report

Karen Cromer Executive Director
CLEMENS CENTER 2015–2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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TMessage from the Executive Director
he 2015-16 Season was already booked and well underway when I
joined the Clemens Center in October 2015. I found here in Elmira a veteran theatre staff well-versed in presenting Broadway shows, education
matinees, and performing arts events of all types. They are so capable of running the venue without me that I completely forgot a performance over Thanksgiving weekend when I was moving into my new house. Despite the artist having been in a car accident the night before, the staff picked up the pieces and the show carried on quite well without me.
Because so much was already in place and working well, I was able to spend a good deal of the year getting to know the area and the various players: current and past Board of Trustees members, staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors, renters, resident companies, arts organizations, vendors, and individual patrons. Everyone was welcoming and encouraging, and helped make the transition from Indianapolis a fairly easy one.
The Board of Trustees is to be applauded for the many hours they devoted to the Center throughout the search process and for covering base until I arrived. Because of the skills of the Board and the staff, the stats for the 2015-16 Season remained very positive both to mission and budget with the Center realizing 75,000 visitors and a modest surplus. Over 230 days of operation were logged including 110 performances, 76 rehearsals, and 44 tech days. The venue stayed open for four weeks during the summer to host a musical theatre summer camp and opening night of the Ferrario Southern Tier Jazz Festival— eliminating half of the customary summer employee layoff.
Marching orders from the strategic plan entrusted to me by the Board are
to diversify programming to bring a broader audience, maintain operational excellence, and build sustainability of the organization. Expanding program offerings brings with it great risk, but also great rewards. The 2016-17 Season may be quite challenging financially as we push the boundaries and change the lineup of offerings, but with the Board’s support and encouragement the Clemens Center team is certainly up to the task!
Programmatic and financial information reflected for September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016.