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PodCamp: Directing the Sangamon Auditorium

Carly Shank interviewed by Abigail Stalets
Katie Buck
/
NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS
Carly Shank shares with Abigail Stalets

Hello my name is Abby Stalets with the 2018 PodCast Camp.

 

Carly Shank is the Director (of Audience Development) at the Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield. She has worked there for 17 years. The purpose of the auditorium is to bring artists and performances to the area and to help the community.

“We help bring all type of artist to our community and help the local organizations to have a place to do activities whether it is art or we just hosted high school graduations.”

She has been involved with the local theatre community sense she was a child.

“I grew up performing on the Springfield Muni opera stage. I grew up in Riverton when away for college live away I traveled with a theater company out of state."

Some people wonder when specific shows are coming to town.

“People ask all the time when like are we going to get wicked when are we going to get Hamilton” but the problem is “Well again this is a business and the producers of these shows are always looking to maximize their money.”

Carly notes to get people to the auditorium takes a lot of effort.

“The way we sell shows used to be like buy some tv ads and newspaper ads people will find out about the shows well now we get our content from some many different places we have to constantly be learning about how to buy online ads how to find the people that are local that would be most interested in the shows.  Um that is a real challenge in this day of age.”

Every production unique and different.

“Every one of is very different in terms of who audience I find that some people in the community only come to Sangamon Auditorium for one thing that’s there expectation that’s what they think we are.”

“This summer I will direct Annie at the Springfield Muni Opera.”

This has been Abby Stalets for the 2018 NPR Illinois Podcamp.

PodCamp logo

NPR Illinois PodCamp is an annual program teaching media literacy, civic education, journalism, and technical skills to aspiring students.

Abigail is an 8th grader at Rochester JHS. She likes track, horse riding, and participating on the scholastic bowl.
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