Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Hickey.
Bob, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Having lived in Foxborough for over 25 years and being actively involved with several civic and town government positions, I have a strong desire to see our town grow the downtown area.
When I discovered that this iconic theater was for sale and on the verge of closing, life circumstances just happened to allow me to make a significant career change to take on this community project.
That is exactly what this theater is – a community project, a resource for not only performing arts but also for regional non-profit and civic organizations to use as a tool for them to generate revenue, hold fundraisers and create their own projects.
Additionally, we’ve become a resource for area schools and are so excited that our stage is filled with tomorrow’s creative leaders from several school districts.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worthwhile doing is ever easy, right? But in truth, every step on this journey has had a positive outcome. For example, as I and members of my Board of Directors were looking to obtain financing to complete the purchase, a wonderful friendship grew with Don Rodman who, through our Board President Jim DeVellis and Vice President Rachel Callabrese, created the financing necessary to complete the purchase.
But more importantly perhaps, we were inspired by the wonderful work of Don’s wife, Marilyn, who passed away in 2013 and was a life-long teacher and supporter of the arts. So much so that we named the theater in her honor!
Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center at The Orpheum Theatre Foxborough – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Built-in 1926 as a silent movie house and reborn in 1993 as a performing arts stage, the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center, or MRPAC, has 396-seats with a 31’x25′ stage capable of hosting musicals, plays, dance and concert events. We have a lot of comedy, movies and community events, recitals and productions.
Our vision is not to be a “me-centric” space but rather to be home to many. Having just celebrated our one-year anniversary, I am so happy with the variety and quality of relationships we have formed, from school productions to youth- and adult-performance groups, from our OnCommon Comedy partnership as well as our dance and civic offerings.
We also want to be able to provide space for new ideas and “one-off” productions where that chance was not previously available. It is fun and important to give creative space to those who need it and, perhaps in a small way, this is what I consider to be one of our greatest accomplishments here at the MRPAC.
That said, we work very hard to provide great entertainment for the region between Providence and Boston. We’re easy to get to and bring great value to both customers and the groups that grace our Orpheum stage.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is, of course, financial as no matter the organization, if the lights aren’t on, then nobody wins. That said, I think the best indicator of success is when youth and adults performers want to come back to perform again, when bands want to come back and when customers return time and again and talk about the great experience they have here at the MRPAC.
Pricing:
- Concerts are anywhere from $10 to $50, depending upon the group
- Plays and Musicals are anywhere from $6 to $45, again depending upon the group.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 School Street, Foxborough, MA 02035
- Website: www.orpheum.org
- Phone: 508-543-ARTS (2787)
- Email: boxoffice@orpheum.org
- Instagram: @marilynrodmanperformingartscenter
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/OrpheumFoxboro/
- Twitter: @MRPACorpheum
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