Tag: art
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Five Initiatives for SBMT’s Future
Over the past several weeks, I have written about changes coming to South Bay Musical Theatre, the reasons we believe change is necessary, and what we hope to accomplish. Now it is time to talk about what we are actually going to do. At our August board retreat and September board meeting, SBMT’s executive team…
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A Modern Performing Arts Company
In my last blog, I talked about why I’m proposing changes to SBMT in the future. I cited several reasons for some of the changes such as the fragility of the arts ecosystem, rising costs, the importance of community connection, changing audience demographics, and SBMT currently being in a state where we are strong enough…
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What Comes Next for SBMT
SBMT is… expanding? In a few weeks, the SBMT Board and executive team will gather for our annual Board Retreat. This is a chance to step away from the daily work of running a theatre company and think about the future. This year, the executive team will present three initiatives that could significantly expand what…
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The Arts Are Essential Infrastructure
Funding The State’s Creative Economy Strategic Plan Last Thursday, I drove up to Sacramento to represent SBMT at the presentation of the 2026 Creative Economy Strategic Plan with Senators Ben Allen and Susan Rubio. The California Joint Committee of the Arts is requesting $50 million for the California Arts Council to expand local assistance grants…
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Patron Survey Insights
Over the past year, hundreds of SBMT patrons shared what they value most, and their responses are directly shaping our upcoming seasons and audience experience. I thought I would share a few interesting insights. Our core audience continues to be local, long-time supporters, while our fastest-growing segment is a younger, more diverse community. This is…
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The Cost of Live Theatre: Part 2
Ticket prices are going up starting next fall, and we want you to understand why. It includes an increase in ticket prices that better aligns with the reality of the cost of producing live musical theatre. (Season subscriptions save you up to 25% if you are budget conscious). Back in November, we answered one of…
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Patron Survey Insights
Over the past year, hundreds of SBMT patrons shared what they value most, and their responses are directly shaping our upcoming seasons and audience experience. I thought I would share a few interesting insights. Our core audience continues to be local, long-time supporters, while our fastest-growing segment is a younger, more diverse community. This is…
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Children and Art
“Children and art… children and art…” Several recent events in my personal life have inspired me to do something that I‘ve been putting off for over 10 years: updating my will. Big changes like sending my children away to college, becoming empty-nesters (or “free-birds” as my wife likes to call it), purchasing an electric vehicle,…
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Running a Theatre Company
August 21, 2025 Since stepping in to SBMT’s Executive Director position in July, I have been delving into documents and spreadsheets, agreements and archives to compile, organize, and analyze over 60 years of SBMT producing theatre here in the South Bay. My goal was to become as much of an expert on SBMT as I…
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SBMT’s AI Policy: Protecting People, Creativity, and Integrity
by Michael Paul Hirsch, Executive Director and Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director August 14, 2025 At South Bay Musical Theatre, every costume stitch, scenic brushstroke, musical note, and marketing image tells a human story. These are crafted by artists, technicians, and volunteers who pour their time and talent into creating something authentic and memorable. Our…
