Cheers for Weidner season: 'You told us what you wanted. We listened'
A crowd of Weidner Center patrons and friends got a firsthand look at the Performing Arts Season they helped craft Tuesday, May 22, as the 2012-13 lineup was announced during a special event on the venue’s main stage.
UW-Green Bay Chancellor Tom Harden and Weidner Center General Manager Kate Green presented the 16-show, 18-performance season to more than 120 Weidner stakeholders, ranging from volunteer ushers to donors, community members and UW-Green Bay faculty and staff. Many in attendance were part of a series of focus groups, held last year as part of the Strategic Plan process, which helped guide the programming of the season.
“You told us what you wanted,” Green told the crowd, moments before introducing the season. “We listened. And we think you’re going to like what you see throughout the year.”
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Indeed, those in attendance responded positively as Green showed a brief video highlighting each performance, periodically applauding or happily whispering in recognition as a favorite title flashed across the screen. Following the video, Green gave a brief overview of each performance, offering the highlights of shows ranging from Broadway to comedy, dance and more.
During his remarks to the crowd, Harden also emphasized the critical role of stakeholder feedback in crafting the 2012-13 season. In addition, he offered a big-picture look at the University’s plan to reinvigorate its signature performing arts venue, touching on budget and staffing strategies that are part of the five-year Strategic Plan.
“We believe this is a really exciting season coming up,” Harden told the crowd as he outlined the plan’s primary goals. “ … The response to this plan to ensure the vitality of the Weidner Center has been very positive.”
The plan for the Weidner has four main goals: enhancing the Weidner’s Performing Arts Series (traditionally referred to as “mainstage” programming); increasing access to the venue for faculty, staff and students; providing more opportunities for various community groups; and continuing an emphasis on K-12 educational programming. In addition to announcing the Performing Arts Series, Green and Harden told event attendees about programming in these other categories, giving each one a comprehensive event brochure that offers additional information about what the Weidner offers. Members of the local news media who covered the event also received the brochure, and copies of the video highlighting the upcoming season.
The Weidner Center will celebrate its 20th anniversary in early 2013. More information about the upcoming season, including ticketing, and the venue itself can be found at www.WeidnerCenter.com.
The 2012-13 Weidner Center Performing Arts Season is as follows:
- Lewis Black: Running on Empty, 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. Tickets $39-$54.50.
- The Capitol Steps: Take the Money and Run for President, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. Tickets $22-$38.50.
- Price is Right, Live!™, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. Tickets $38.50.
- Aquila Theatre Company presents William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22. Tickets $22-$38.50.
- Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents “Moulin Rouge® — The Ballet,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. Tickets $22-$66.
- Fiddler on the Roof, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets $27.50-$71.50.
- Kenny Rogers Hits & Christmas Show, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Tickets $55.50-$89.50.
- Shrek The Musical, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13. Tickets $43-$76.
- A Chorus Line, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Tickets $27.50-$71.50.
- Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Tickets $27.50-$49.50.
- VOCA PEOPLE, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Tickets $16.50-$44.
- The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Tickets $33, or $16.50 for children ages 12 and younger.
- Elvis Lives, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21. Tickets $38.50-$55.
- Celtic Crossroads: World Fusion Tour, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. Tickets $22-$44.
- The Minetti Quartet and distinguished pianist Andreas Klein, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5. Tickets $33.
- John Tesh: Big Band Live!, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. Tickets $33-$66.
*Service fees apply for all ticket sales
Tickets are currently on sale via subscription. Patrons need simply to select five or more of the Performing Arts Season events listed above to qualify as a subscriber, buy before the general public, get the best seats and save up to 10 percent on their purchase. Subscription order forms reflect discounted prices. Orders of less than five events will be processed at full price in late July when single tickets go on sale to the general public.