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arts & communications management resume

SUMMARY

THEATRE ARTS & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Dynamic and dedicated, Stephen is a versatile communications, marketing, and event manager. He is a solid administrator, a professional writer, and media specialist. A natural collaborator, also comfortable working independently, Stephen is a skilled communicator and mentor, possessing a natural ability to connect with others and generate enthusiasm. Detailed and organized.

TECHNICAL & CREATIVE SKILLS
Creative writing, Copywriting
Adobe Photoshop (basic/intermediate)
Adobe Premiere, Adobe Encore,
Final Cut Studio, Final Cut X
DaVinci, iMovie
Apple Logic
Apple Mainstage
Garageband
MS Office Suite
Apple iWork Suite
Email Marketing, basic HTML
Content Development
SEO, Social Media Engagement & Marketing
WordPress Site Management

CULTURE & RELATIONS MANAGER, TOWN OF HUDSON, COLORADO
Town of Hudson | Hudson, CO | March 2023 – Present

  • As the Town’s first Culture and Relations Manager, created the Recreation and Events Department structure and all operations procedures. Write all Town communications, develop and manage relationships across the Community. Envision, budget, plan, produce, and manage all major and minor Town events
  • Write all Town marketing, PR, informational, and communications content
  • Conceive and create all content for the Town’s Social Media pages; including graphics and flyers, text, images, and professionally-edited promotional/marketing videos
  • Write monthly Newsletter, Press Releases, marketing, and advertisements
  • Maintain and manage the Town Hudson CIVICPlus ™ website; includes creating Events Calendar pages, Newsflashes, adding and maintaining various Town business and information pages, and articles
  • Maintain the Town Hall’s Digital Marketing sign
  • Report regularly to the Town Council on various event efforts and marketing initiatives
    Quickly created relationships with area companies, including: TBK Bank, Bank of America, United Power, Allo Fiber, Northern Engineering, Platte Valley Medical Foundation, Waste Management, Motherlode CoPacking, The SouthEast Weld County Chamber of Commerce, and the Hudson Public Library
  • Secured $10,350 in Sponsor money in first five months on the job, over $11,000 for 2023
    Sponsorship dollars paid to install of Trimlight lights on Town Hall, nightly lighting the building for the first time
  • Create 25 individual Town event budgets and a Master Events Budget
  • Conceive, produce, budget, and manage 25 yearly Town Events, including Public Safety Day, the kid’s Fishing Derby, Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, Veteran’s Commemoration and Picnic with a flyover by the Rocky Mountain Renegades, the Holiday Parade and Celebration at Town Hall, and the largest annual event, the Hudson Harvest Festival.
    • This year the festival included over 75 vendors, Food Trucks and Ice Cream Trucks, a Petting Zoo, a Bounce House, a Kid’s Maze, a Kid’s Train, two Live Bands on a 20-foot stage, a Beer Garden, Four (4) large Tents, hay bales for sitting, a Car Show, and Fireworks
  • Create and manage relationships with local businesses, Talent (e.g. Musicians), and Vendors
    Manage Contracts and Invoices (In/Out)
    When appropriate, act as Emcee for large events
    Represent in person and in writing the Town to large area companies, constituents, and businesses
    Create all social and other media content and marketing materials
    Create graphics — flyers, posters, maps, and other printed materials
    Author articles for the Lost Creek Guide; includes information about Town events, and local and Town issues
    Shoot and professionally edit Town marketing videos (using Final Cut X and Adobe Premiere Pro)
    Fly the Town’s DJI Mavick Pro ™ Drone for the purposes of creating marketing videos; also available to shoot for the Public Works Department
    In a Town of 1600 people, increased Facebook “Followers” from 400+ to over 1500 in 7 months

EVENT COORDINATOR, ENT CENTER FOR THE ARTS & THE HELLER CENTER FOR ARTS & HUMANITIES
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) | Colorado Springs, CO | October 2021 – September 2022

  • Coordinate and manage internal department events and external (contracted) events at the Ent Center for the Arts, a venue housing the 241-seat Chapman Recital Hall, 750-seat Shockley-Zalabak Theater, the Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA), and other performing arts venues, and education spaces
  • Coordinate and manage internal and external (contracted) events at the Heller Center for Arts & Humanities, a unique, 38-acre venue with indoor and outdoor spaces, and a Guest House
    Meet with new and existing clients to discuss event(s) logistics, production, setup, and catering need
  • Manage contracts for Heller Center Guest House residencies
  • Assess appropriate event charges and build quotes (cost estimates) for those inquiring about event venues
  • Input event data into event management/scheduling software, KxConferencing ™
  • Coordinate staff for onsite, day-of-event support, including checking setups, catering deliveries, audiovisual setup, and inspecting rooms to meet client expectations
  • Conduct venue tours of the Ent Center for the Arts and Heller Center for the Arts and Humanities
    Create event layout/setup diagrams for the Catering and Production teams to follow, using Social Tables ™
  • Support and manage events day-of as necessary
  • Schedule all VAPA (Visual & Performing Arts Department) concerts and events in venues within the Ent Center
  • Schedule all venues and spaces for Theatreworks performances and rehearsals; Theatreworks is an Equity (Union) Theatre company whose home is the Ent Center for the Arts
    Schedule all Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA) events within the Ent Center for the Arts
    Conduct venue tours, providing venue pricing, contract and insurance requirements information, catering and other services offered, venue technical information, capabilities and limits, setup and logistical information, answering relevant client questions
  • In Kx Conferencing™ software, “close out” events, preparing them for final invoicing; consists of adjusting any differences between the original quote and the final invoice, sending it to the Client for approval, then settlement/processing through the UCCS finance team
  • In Kx Catering™, create and manage large/complex BEOs (Catering Banquet Event Orders)
    Ensure and enforce State and University guidelines and policies regarding events with alcohol and food service
  • Create effective working relationships with clients and within and across departments and reporting lines
  • Assisting in the training of student staff, providing ongoing support and development opportunities

HEAD HOUSE MANAGER (Seasonal)

Aspen Music Festival & School | Aspen, CO | June 2021 – August 2021 (Summer/Seasonal)

  • Managed daily FOH operations for over 140 concerts and special events in 58 days in the 2055-seat Benedict Music Tent (one of the largest stages in the U.S.), and the 550-seat Harris Concert Hall
    Scheduled and managed four full-time House Managers, two full-time Lead Ushers, 44 paid Student Ushers, and 18 volunteers
  • Began the season with an Usher payroll budget of $24,000, ended with a surplus of $6,170
  • During COVID, facing complex logistical ticketing, audience-flow, seating, and signage challenges on an 8-acre property, developed a complex ticket-holder entry, exit, seating, and traffic flow plan that followed State and Local pandemic rules and guidelines and kept our patrons and staff safe
  • Implemented the highest set of standards for Front of House (FOH) comportment and patron quality-of-service
  • Ensured patron safety, comfort, and satisfaction; defused and resolved a variety of minor patron issues
  • Managed program and insert (print) distribution at Harris Concert Hall and The Benedict Music Tent; included daily and weekly program inserts, sponsorship, and patron recognition signage
    Tracked and approved House Manager and Lead Usher weekly hours using Paylocity; Slate was used for tracking Student payroll hours
  • In concert with “Meadows Crew,” ensured venue cleanliness and safety of the 8-acre property
    HeartSaver CPR AED Certified

ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS MANAGER (Interim)
Historic Beverly | Beverly, MA | January 2021 – May 2021

  • Developed, produced, and managed events at three historic properties
  • Events include plays, open-air films, reenactment and history-related programs, virtual and IRL conferences, rentals and special events, kids experiential programming, outdoor concerts with internationally-known musicians, and multiple collaborations with synergistic organizations
  • Produced, managed, and supported 180+ virtual and real-world events, programs, and presentations/year
  • Wrote marketing plan, event advertising/marketing matrix, and budget for the 2021 season of events
  • Managed marketing efforts including online calendars, social media, radio ads, and PSRs, and newspapers
  • Wrote press releases, social media campaigns and posts, newsletters, and website content
  • Acquired earned media coverage with newspapers, radio stations, and local cable channels
  • Developed and manage collaborative relationships, create new synergistic partnerships
  • Responsible for all property and event rentals, including weddings (contracts/event management)
  • Managed event communications/emails, RSVPs, confirmations, and follow-ups

GENERAL MANAGER & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Bas Bleu Theatre | Fort Collins, CO | August 2019 – March 2020 (COVID-19 closed the theatre indefinitely)

  • Reporting to BoD, responsible for the leadership, strategic planning, and development
  • Managed Colorado Gives Day fundraising and marketing efforts, created multi-media content
  • Managed operations and production budget, making sure we didn’t go over budget
  • Created monthly operations/board reports, attended all board meetings
  • Managed fundraising campaigns, including aspects of the big, annual “Mardi Gras”-themed fundraiser
  • Managed grant applications & follow-up; wrote portions of grants, processed all donations through Fundraiser ™
  • Maintained fundraising database and wrote and processed acknowledgment and “thank you” letters
  • Managed box office operations, including vendor relationship management
  • Created and oversaw the distribution of marketing materials, including website & social media
  • Built the theatre a new WordPress website
  • Supervised bookkeeper to ensure a balanced budget, and that all financial obligations were paid, income was promptly recorded, and financial records were up to date and transparent

SELF EMPLOYED | FREELANCE | CONTRACT | April 2013 – August 2019
Communications & Media Arts — End-to-end Video Production, Web Design, Writing, Marketing, Tutoring 

Highlights: 

WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, “SUNSHINE REBELS: Gotham’s Lost Tribe”
A documentary film pursued under the auspices of D.A. Pennebaker’s company, Living Archives, the film tells the story of a group of 1970’s inner-city teenagers who came together in New York City at Central Park’s Naumburg Bandshell and in the process left an indelible stamp on world culture through startling innovations in graffiti art, music, and extreme sports. 

EDITOR, DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER — BLUE DAYS FILMS, “SHE’S THE BEST THING IN IT”
A documentary film by Ron Nyswaner (PHILADELPHIA, FREEHELD, and THE PAINTED VEIL). Edited fundraising teasers/ trailers.

DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN (DIT), 2ND AC — DOVID MEYER  Feature film

DIT (Digital Imaging Technician): Responsible for the safe transfer of all film

2nd AC: Assist DoP and 1st AC. Member of the camera team responsible for setup, lens management, camera moves

CAMERA OPERATOR, VIDEO EDITOR — Seven21 Media Center  | March 2013 – Feb. ’14
Using Final Cut and Adobe Premiere, edited TV ads and corporate films.

VIDEO DEPT. & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY MANAGER

Dragon360 Marketing | Kingston, NY | Sept. 2012 – Feb. ’13

  • Launched and managed the video department
  • Authored 38-page white paper detailing the value of video in marketing
  • Managed clients’ social media presences, edited blogs, and articles for SEO keyword optimization and relevant linking
  • Wrote scripts, shot, edited, optimized, marketing videos

Artistic Director, The Palace Theatre, Danbury, CT    Dec. 2009 – Jan. 2011

The Palace opened in 1928 as a 1999-seat venue but it fell into neglect and shut its doors in the 90s. Dark for nearly 15 years, it was open again and struggling for three years before my hiring. My mission was to raise our profile, involve the community in our theatre, increase audience attendance and revenue, and help bring commerce and energy back to Main Street, Danbury.

Duties & Accomplishments:

  • PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    The Palace Theatre | Danbury, CT | Jan. 2010 – Jan. 2011

    • Realized an increase in audience attendance, ticket sales, and concessions revenue within the first four months of taking the position
    • Wrote and managed production budgets, contracts, and offer sheets
    • Negotiated contracts and riders with music agents and managers representing artists like Buddy Cage, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Larry Coryell, Colbie Caillat, Shawn Colvin, Citizen Cope, Lucy Kaplansky & Jimmy Webb, and Judy Collins, among others
    • Managed operations front and back of house, concessions, inventory, and payroll
    • Served as representative in the press and in the media; emceed when appropriate
    • Managed financial business of theater, monitoring budget, production, and payroll expenses
    • Managed daily operations and maintenance, led production meetings, attended all rehearsals
    • Built a new website and integrated it with accesso ShoWare and new ticket printers
    • Implemented and managed online ticketing system; upgraded box office software and hardware
    • Developed relationships with local businesses, the media, community members, and local policymakers

Co-Founder, Artistic Director, Center for New Media & the Arts   

cnma_fisheye_web-02Jan. 2008 – Nov. 2009

Conceived and co-founded the Center, an art gallery and live arts venue in a 2,400 sq. ft. loft space in a historic, 1848 building in Bethel, Connecticut where P.T. Barnum once had a vaudeville stage and Mark Twain played pool when the first floor of the building was a billiard hall. With a 15-feet high ceiling and 17 windows that were 9-feet tall, it had also been the Bethel High School gym, the Post Office, even a roller skating rink. 

At the Center, our mission was to provide arts and arts education programming that served our community with thought and purpose. And our programming included live theatre, music, dance, comedy, poetry spoken word, films, special events, and benefits. The following is part of what I wrote as our mission statement:

The arts celebrate all aspects of our lives. They serve to enlighten us and broaden our horizons. The arts inform our perspective, cultivate cultural and personal expression and expand our capacity for empathy and compassion.    In short, they teach us about life.

Scope of Work:

  • Conceptualized and produced performances, art exhibits, and special events. Programming included stage plays, music, dance, comedy, poetry spoken word, films, special events, and benefits.
  • Developed arts education programs included acting and music instruction, life drawing, songwriting, salsa and swing dance lessons.
  • Facilitated special film nights and in-person conversations with artists, actors, and filmmakers.
  • Sought out and developed relationships with local and regional artists.
  • Represented the Center in the public and in the media.
  • Managed venue rentals and agreements.
  • Trained staff, volunteers, and interns.
  • Developed an email database of 733 contacts in less than a year.
  • Wrote our newsletters, press releases, and marketing and promo materials.
  • Produced benefits for charitable organizations including a 911 First Responders Fund, the Wyatt Foundation for Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and WPKN Radio.
  • Worked closely with architect, town and state officials to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
  • Developed relationships with local officials and the First Selectman and head of the Chamber of Commerce volunteered to cut the ribbon at our opening day celebration.

Education

Columbia University, Bachelor of Arts, Literature/Writing Program, with honors, 1997.

Hunter College, Communications studies, 2 years (46 credits).  Dean’s List.

Volunteer Work

Former Events Planning Lead, Charter for Compassion International.

media arts resume