My third season of booking programming at Bradshaw Performing Arts Center (BPAC) in Pinehurst, NC has come to a close. This year, we had three series: the Mainstage Series, the Comedy Series, and the Family Fun Series, totaling eleven events. We also had BPAC’s 5th Anniversary, our first Holiday event in December, a special concert for Friends of BPAC, and a Master Class.
Booking a broad-appeal set of shows always has its challenges, and BPAC strives to offer a little something for everyone. Some people want marquee pop culture names, some want high culture events, some want to rock out, some want to laugh, some folks just want something to do—and if they can bring their kids, that’s even better.
For my third season of booking, measurable progress across multiple KPIs was achieved.
The Comedy Series kicked off with a bang: Becky Robinson’s show sold out as fast as any show we’ve ever had at BPAC. Mike Goodwin also drew a crowd and did a special talkback afterward with SCC’s on-campus organization BASE. Joe DeVito from Fox News Channel’s Gutfeld! returned for his second BPAC appearance to a full house and a delighted crowd. We tried something new with comedy hypnosis from David Anthony as the Comedy Series finale (and the BPAC season finale) and the audience absolutely ate it up. Also, it can’t be overstated what a pleasure it was to work with all four of these artists: professional, affable, ready to work, and they all delivered excellent shows.
The Mainstage Series also began with an event that quickly sold out: Arrival from Sweden bringing us all the ABBA hits. For BPAC’s 5th Anniversary Concert, An Evening with Jimmy Webb was unforgettable as he sang his hit songs for a capacity crowd and told us the stories behind them. In January, Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch brought their legendary Cast Party to our stage, with their own dynamic performances side-by-side with some talented locals. Finally, Garrison Keillor delivered his patented wit and vivid storytelling, closing out the Mainstage Series with another sold out show.
The Family Fun Series continues to draw a grateful crowd. Puppy Pals Live! drew a large audience for their return to our stage. Our first circus, the charming and eccentric The Colorful Hat, was next, and we closed the Family Fun Series with The All New Wizard of Oz on Ice. Circus shows and ice shows test the versatility of Owens Auditorium, our flagship venue, and that’s part of why we do them: to show all the things we really can do at BPAC.
But wait, there’s more: Irish Christmas in America was a lovely, authentic, and very special evening that was perfect as BPAC’s first holiday attraction. Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch did a special concert in the intimate McPherson Theater for Friends of BPAC, our first time setting up that venue in a cabaret configuration…and BPAC will definitely be doing that again, it was enthusiastically received. They also taught a master class to local students, many of whom were singers from Sandhills Community College, as well as local high schools and nearby universities.
My work with BPAC includes serving on the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series (RPLS) Board of Directors, and I suggested and helped them book two attractions in this past season’s series: TimeOut New York theatre critic Adam Feldman, and a multi-year arrangement bringing National Geographic Live events to BPAC as part of the RPLS season.
And that’s just what BPAC booked. These are only a few of the nearly 200 attractions presented each year in BPAC’s five venues: professionals, amateurs, students, plus anything and everything in-between. Theatre, music, dance, lectures, comedy, lectures, visual arts exhibits, rite of passage ceremonies, and more…BPAC continues to be in constant demand, fulfilling its cultural, community, and educational functions.
Next season’s series programming will be announced soon. The Mainstage, Comedy, and Family Fun Series will all return…and we’re going to try out a Tribute Series. There’s so much to look forward to, so many memories yet to be made.