Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Dunning.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have worked in non-profit arts management my whole career. My career took me to positions at American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, the Big Apple Circus, and now Celebrity Series of Boston. I’ve had the pleasure of working with great artists and wonderful colleagues, and generous volunteer board members.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always the stories of operational struggles along the way – the costumes that get lost in the middle of a tour, the blizzard that shuts down a city in the middle of performances, the power outage that threatens a scheduled performance – those are real challenges, but they also fade into the background as part of the lore and allure of the business. Of course, financial struggles are always close at hand in the performing arts, but the real challenge is setting forth a vision for a company and motivating the professionals and the volunteer base of donors and board members to work in tandem to realize that vision.
Celebrity Series of Boston – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Celebrity Series of Boston is a non-profit presenting organization that brings the world’s great artists to stages all across Boston. We present across several disciplines in theaters and halls that range from 300 seats to 3800 seats. With approximately 70 ticketed performances as well as over 125 free annual community concerts and activities, we seek to introduce and share the joy of live performance with the people of Boston.
Some of our most recent successes have been to add free outdoor public performances projects to the Boston landscape. Last year, we presented Street Pianos – placing pianos painted by local artists at locations throughout Boston. This fall, we will bring back Let’s Dance Boston – five nights on the Greenway of free dance lessons on the and live performances by great dance bands in a variety of social dancing styles
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
One of the bonuses of working in the performing arts is instant gratification. On a very regular basis, the curtain goes up and you know, sometimes immediately, if the evening is a success or not. The feedback from the audience is pretty immediate and very honest.
To me, there are very few things that can match that moment of excitement when the entire audience leaps to its feet in appreciation of a great performance.
Contact Info:
- Address: 20 Park Plaza
Suite 1032
Boston, MA 02116 - Website: www.celebrityseries.org
- Phone: 617-482-6661
- Instagram: @celebrityseries
- Facebook: @celebrityseries
- Twitter: @celebrityseries
- Yelp: @celebrityseries
Image Credit:
Robert Torres
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