Theater performances require cooperation. Connections between people are the basis of community strength.
Meet my neighbor Carla Bechstein, programming manager at Renaissance Performing Arts in downtown Mansfield.
Connecting with our audience is essential to the continued growth The Ren hopes to continue. Bechstein is tasked with programming shows that appeal to patrons of all ages and generations.
“We try to offer something for everyone, whether you're 2 years old or 92 years old,” Bechstein said. “People have been coming here for generations. We've grown up with (their families).”
Her daughter's participation in The Ren led to her mother's new job.
“I was actually bringing my daughter here to attend the MY Theater (Mansfield Youth Theater) show and the RYOT (Renaissance Youth Opera Theater) show,” Bechstein said. .
She said she is currently rehearsing “Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella,'' while Dauphne Maloney founded MY Theater Program and Lori Turner directs RYOT.
Beckstein said there were so many that she ended up working at The Wren, where she will celebrate her fifth anniversary in April. Although she wasn't always involved in programming, she has worn many different hats.
“I've sort of memorized the work in each department here,” Bechstein said. “It's been about two years since I started programming.''
Programming for the future
Bechstein said engagement with regular customers is essential to growth. Renaissance staff constantly posts on multiple social media platforms to direct the public to the website and ask them what they want to see, or what they don't want to see. The response has been “amazing,” she says.
This season ends in May. The 2024-2025 season begins in July and is typically announced in April, she said.
Emerging from the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, Renaissance continues its “mission-based” efforts to grow support.
“Renaissance's mission is to foster deeper relationships and understanding through performing arts experiences that inspire, engage, and educate all people,” the association's website states. There is.
“We're growing and getting bigger,” Bechstein said. “We'll be able to gradually bring bigger artists here, which is really exciting.”
She said her co-workers inspire her every day.
“I work with people who are very passionate about what they do. All of these people are extremely talented,” Bechstein said. It's amazing to just sit back and listen to their ideas and watch the whole process fall into place. It's moving. ”
Readers can suggest future “Meet Your Neighbor” profiles to correspondent Joe Di Lullo at muckrack.com/dilulloj or jp.dilullo0926@gmail.com.
