Weidner director will take audience backstage in ‘After Thoughts’ talk
“The Performing Arts: What Really Goes on Behind the Curtain” is the topic for Kate Green, executive director of UW-Green Bay’s Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, who will be the featured speaker for the University’s second After Thoughts program of the fall semester on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Green will actually take audience members behind the curtain, backstage, as part of her presentation.
The event will begin with a 5 p.m. hors d’oeuvres reception, followed by the 6 p.m. program, in the Grand Foyer of the Weidner Center on the campus 2420 Nicolet Drive.
Kate Green
Green has served as the Weidner’s executive director since August 2012, when she was appointed by Chancellor Tom Harden following a national search. She had rejoined the University-run venue in an administrative capacity a year earlier as general manager. Her previous involvement with the center included five years as president of the independent non-profit programming organization Weidner Center Presents, Inc. (2006-11) and earlier tenures as the facility’s group sales manager (1993-2003) and ticket office supervisor (1997-1999). She also spent three years (2003-2006) as director of marketing and partnerships for the Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Green earned her bachelor’s degree at UW-Green Bay in 1999 with a major in Communication and a minor in Information Science.
As executive director, Green is charged with overseeing programming, financial management and day-to-day operations of the Weidner Center, with additional responsibilities in the areas of community relations, cultivating partnerships and securing underwriting.
Another duty involves interacting with visiting performers and welcoming them to the venue. In an article for the October 2013 edition of the UW-Green Bay magazine, Green describes some unusual requests — contract riders calling for organic chickens, bananas in “three stages of ripeness,” obscure snacks and even, once, a place for Spot to watch the show — but says most touring celebs are entirely relatable.
“They miss their families,” Green says. “They ask questions about the area, they want to try cheese curds, they comment on the Packers, they joke about the cold weather… and they love what they do.”
Green says that her After Thoughts remarks will also include stories of choosing shows for the Weidner lineup, negotiating with artists, agents and promoters, and balancing the educational and entertainment elements of the center’s larger mission. The program will also include a drawing for free tickets to an upcoming Weidner Center event.
Now in its third full season, After Thoughts seeks to connect women in the community with UW-Green Bay. The gatherings showcase University faculty, staff and guests, and convene women — and often “a few good men” — after their workdays for learning, enrichment and fun. The sessions are so named because they provide “After Thoughts” for participants to take with them when they leave.
Seating is limited, so advanced registration is recommended. The cost of each program is $14. To reserve your spot, send a check (payable to UW-Green Bay Foundation) to: UW-Green Bay Foundation, CL 805, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311; or register online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/afterthoughts/. Walk-up registration also is an option. Call (920) 465-2074 for more information.
You can find After Thoughts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/afterthoughts.uwgb.
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