A group of 11 Eastern Michigan University students were transformed into political advocates this April. Student Organization, AMPlifying the Arts, is a group of Arts Management students who are dedicated to providing opportunities for the university's artists and arts leaders. This year, AMP sent 11 of us to Washington D.C. to advocate with Americans for the Arts at Arts Advocacy Day.
Chairman Rocco Landesman of the National Endowment of the Arts and EMU Student Org, AMPlifying the Arts.
Every year A4A rallies arts advocates from across the nation to address congress on the importance of the arts and arts funding.
AMP and Hansen Clarke, a HUGE supporter of the arts in Michigan
Asking your representatives for $155 million for the National Endowments of the Arts and $30 million for arts education is not an easy task. However, AMP Students were pretty fearless. We're a group of passionate young professionals. And many of us recently completed a course in which we studied techniques in addressing congress to support the arts.
Alec Baldwin delivered a speech at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center to inspire the advocates. He mentioned his love for gangster dancing after watching West Side Story and convinced us it was an integral part of his early days of inspiration. That's right kids, you can thank Jerome Robbins for those giggles you get on 30 Rock.
If you're not an arts advocate, you may be asking yourself...Why would we invest almost $200 million in the arts? After Arts Advocacy Day, we're able to answer that question very easily.
Keeping the arts as a part of Core curriculum in public schools is a small investment to substantial outcomes. Students who participated in 3+ years of arts activities as opposed to students who spent less than a half year, on average scored 100 points higher on SAT exams.
Hospitals that include the arts in their programming (i.e. art galleries in the lobbies, bedside performances, art classes, improv classes, etc.) consistently have shorter patient stays and happier employees. A portion of the National Endowment for the Arts supports Arts in Healthcare.
The arts creates job opportunities. Ten percent of the estimated total of arts and culture organizations accounts for over 15 thousand jobs within the state of Michigan.
Thanks to speaking skills from years of theatre, I was able to speak my mind and convey an idea to my representatives. AMP came back to EMU feeling we had really made a difference. SO CAN YOU! Click here to learn more about ArtServe and advocate everyday!
Leave comments about a piece of art that changed you. Was it a piece of literature? A scene in a movie? A set of lyrics from a Disney movie?
...Mine was when I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. I was six years old and I still do theatre!
As a part of the Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Eastern Michigan University I was granted the opportunity to perform a field research project on social media. My mentor, Ken Stevens, hired me as EMU Theatre’s Social Media Specialist. Read along to gain insight on EMU Theatre’s use of social media and hopefully be inspired to apply these discoveries to YOUR organization.
In the beginning stages of my research I sat down with EMU Theatre to figure out their goals in terms of marketing. One of the goals: Increase Social Media Initiative.
As you can see, there are many social media forums, however,
I will discuss Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Blogger, and Tumblr.
While we were accomplishing the marketing goals I was able to develop my thesis:
Steady streams of current and positive content generate an active online audience interaction.
This was my scholarly way of saying: If you post frequently and tactfully, people are going to respond.
But before we go any further there are TWO RULES that you must move apply before you venture into your organization’s social media initiative:
Do not fear your own voice. An audience does not need APA formatted blogs to appreciate the content. Let the voice inside your head spill onto your blogs and posts. Your audiences will appreciate the authenticity.
Do not fear a small audience. It is better to have a small group of people who actually care about your content, than a large audience who have no emotional investment in your brand.
Can we move on? GREAT!
One question I hear a lot when an organization is contemplating incorporating social media is, “Why would we do it?” What do organizations gain from social media? Do Facebook “likes” and Re-Tweets equal dollar signs?” Not exactly. But the benefit to a social media presence is the ACTIVE ONLINE AUDIENCE INTERACTION. You are able to interact with your customer before, during, and after their actual interaction with your product.
Personally, I use Facebook as EMU Theatre’s social media tool. It is easy to share content such as photos, videos, anecdotes, and blogs. Not to mention it has 483 million daily active users.
When I began my job in August, EMU Theatre had 218 Active Monthly Facebook Users, which means 218 Facebook users have interacted with our brand in the past month. Today, our Weekly Reach (meaning the number of people who view our content in their feed within a week) is consistently 7,500+ users (and that number continues to grow!).
How did we do it?
MORE CONTENT: Photos, videos, anecdotes, and blogs.
Recent Facebook success has come from sharing all types of content but photos particularly generate enormous amounts of responses. Your organization can do its own form of pulling back the curtain and allowing audiences to see the behind-the-scenes work. We share the entire process with our online audience from rehearsal photos, to our first rehearsals in the theatre, to show photos. We also create themed archive albums to bring back pictures from past productions.
Rehearsal
Full Performance
Many questions arise with tools such as Twitter and blogging. EMU Theatre uses Twitter to CONNECT WITH PEOPLE in 140 characters or less.
By using the #DeadMansCellPhone hashtag we were able to discover UFV Theatre, a university theatre in Canada who was also doing a production of Dead Man’s Cell Phone on the same weekend. We were able to share photos and tell each other to “Break Legs” (because sometimes Theatre People actually say that). Did this put more butts-in-seats? Not exactly. But EMU Theatre actively created a conversation about our service while enhancing business-to-business networking.
Our success with Youtube was a product of listening to our audience. We began to notice our most popular content was the promotion of our students. We embarked on a web series called Inside the EMU Actor's Studio in which I interviewed actors, directors, and designers of upcoming shows.
I had read in many social media blogs to create a series of one type of video that would appeal to a specific audience, rather than making many different videos to appeal to all types of people.
Blogging is another forum organizations claim to have “nothing to say”. This is simply untrue. A dental office could not only send postcards about new equipment, but they could blog about it too! A restaurant could commission their workers to blog about who they are and why they enjoy their job. Trust me. The content is there. Remember the first rule? Do not fear your own voice. I mean it, people! Who cares if no one reads it right away! Get ahead of the game! Challenge yourself.
Finally, we used Tumblr for our national and international reach. Simply open a Tumblr account and click around. You will see how easy it can be to connect with people from all over the world who share very specific interests such as Shakespeare, cabaret, Moliere, etc.
(Awesome photo I found on Tumblr!)
This is all great…But how do people find your content in the first place and why do they come back?
Start Tagging: "Tagging" a nifty word for a way to direct searches to your content. Each form of social media uses its own “tagging” system. I highly encourage you, whenever you open a new social media site, explore the tagging system. This will help audiences, who are looking for the content you’re posting, find your content. (These are example tags for EMU Theatre: theatre, theater, musical theater, acting, auditions, Shakespeare, cabaret, physical theatre, commedia dell arte, etc.)
STOP SHOUTING! No one cares about a mediocre post.
See. Who acts like this crazy guy? People don’t repeat ordinary information anymore. For example: Instead of posting, “Guys and Dolls opens on April 13! Don’t miss it!” Try, “When the lights come up, enter into the 1940’s. Guys and Dolls. April 13-21.” Make it about the emotion!
If you're still not convinced. EMU Theatre promoted a special late-night performance of Dead Man's Cell Phone through social media and word of mouth. The result? 180+ students attended the special event! Our social media numbers continue to grow, and we have a lot of fun producing content!
I am challenging you and your organization to pump up your social media use.Think of it as a creative task. You never know, you may learn something new about yourself or your organization. Just remember…
Wanna feel the love? It's pretty unavoidable at Beezy's Cafe in Ypsilanti, MI. Beezy's is a local brunch serving machine whose philosophy revolves around simple, honest food and top-notch service. Whether I'm preaching to the harmonious choir of Beezy Bodies or if you've never been - I'm here to promote the idea that a sense of pride can happen to a community through an honest business that has the best intentions.
THE FOOD!
(There once was a Breakfast Burrito on this plate but somehow it disappeared...)
Ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between, I am here to tell you as a health-concious student, Beezy's Cafe is the best option in town. Homemade recipes with no more than 10 ingredients. Everything is less than $8. And if you bring in a traveler's mug, you get a cup of coffee for $1! (Riiiight??)
Beezy's is open until 4pm and is known for serving perfectly portioned brunches to the town packed with starving students and artists. I'm usually found annihilating a Breakfast Burrito (eggs, chorizo, cheese, grilled to perfection) OR a Pepper & Egg Sanwich (eggs, sauteed onions and peppers, and parmasean cheese on sourdough bread) for breakfast. The best part? Breakfast is served until 2pm. Beezy's definitely knows they have customers who barely roll out of bed by noon...How thoughtful!
Lunch begins at 11am and includes salads, sandwiches, and ever changing soups that cause serious recipe envy. I usually go for a Beezy's Salad (mixed greens, pesto ranch dressing, carrots, radishes, croutons, chopped bacon, muenster cheese, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sliced chicken breast and egg salad) or an Avocado Veggie sandwich (sundried tomato pesto, avocado, roasted red peppers, red onion, lettuce and tomato).
But the original reason I became hooked on Beezy's is the soup. The glorious glorious soup. Everyday Beezy's updates Facebook and Twitter announcing two Soups of the Day. Pumpkin cheddar, cream of mushroom, vegan lemon broccoli, and creamy chicken noodle are just a FEW of the alternating options.
Owner, Bee Roll, never fails and never wastes. She'll add on a soup or a special (apple cinnamon french toast, corn beef hash skillets, etc.) to make sure NO FOOD is wasted in the Beezy's kitchen.
To sum it up, you're gonna get a great meal when you come to Beezy's. So the next time you're starving before 4pm, go to Beezy's and eat some real food made by great people. It's that simple.
THE SERVICE!
Bee Roll is dedicated to the city of Ypsilanti. She is giving the community a sense of pride by providing a place where the public can hang out and eat deliciously healthy food.
It's likely to find a line outside of the inconspicuous gold mine. As my favorite Beezy's employee likes to say, "People are willing to wait because they know they're getting the best food and service in town. If they get angry that we have a line, I can point them to a few places that NEVER have a wait...And they'll see why." (heh.)
The aromas from the kitchen and trendy layout stir good moods among the customers as they gaze at the mouthwatering list of options. A friendly worker will start a conversation with you and write down your order on a ticket. You then take the ticket up to another friendly worker (who will also share an awesome conversation with you) and they will place your order. You then find a seat in one of the bustling rooms and hear your name being called...Your food is up!
THE JOY!
Whenever an out-of-towner comes to visit me in Ypsilanti, I take them to Beezy's. It makes me feel cool, okay? It makes it seem as though I make awesome choices my in life and live in a really nifty city...which I do!
If you're from Ypsi and you have yet to head over to Beezy's. Get moving, already! You can park in the lot on Washington & Pearl for FREE for two hours or you can walk (it's right across the street from Deja Vu)! OR if you're not from these parts, make a special trip for a unique experience in Ypsilanti. It'll do ya some good. Click here for a map.
That's all I have for you! Leave a comment and tell me which dish is YOUR favorite at Beezy's. And while you're at it...Check out my Tumblr!Follow me on Twitter! Keep reading...You never know...Maybe I'll blog about YOU next time...
Hello once again. I tend to blog about art events/artists I encounter. This particular post will concern my current project at hand, Dead Man's Cell Phone (Feb 3-16). Performing in a play I am simultaneously promoting has quite possibly been my nerdiest indulgence to date. (And yes, I use the adjective "nerdy" with a positive connotation.)
Let me start off by telling you a little about myself....
My name is Marissa Kurtzhals. I am 22 years old. I live in one of the best cities in the state of Michigan and I put most of my energy into EMU Theatre. I have actively participated in the theatre program (acting, crews, classes, student organizations, etc.) since I was a freshman, but it wasn't until Fall 2011 that I joined the marketing team as the Social Media Specialist.
I am a fourth year Arts Management student with minors in Theatre Communications and Marketing. I began my studies as an Accounting major and a Theatre minor until my wise pal, Charles Jabour, suggested I take a gander at EMU's Arts Management program. I was sold pretty quickly. I swiftly changed my major. And it has (literally) been the best decision I have (ever) made. I could walk you through every single amazing experience my studies have granted me like...
....but let's just stick to one thing at a time (you can check out my resume on my LinkedIn Profile).
In my earlier days at EMU Theatre, Jabour directed a small production of The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl. I immediately fell in love with the juicy yet straightforward dialogue that Ruhl paints for actors, viewers, and readers. I was cast as Lane and was forever hooked as one of Ruhl's avid cult followers.
Shortly after, my strict yet dedicated high-school theatre director suggested I read Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone. He lent me his personal copy and I was immediately intrigued by simply reading the reviews listed in the index...
I also took note to the fact that Mary-Louise Parker starred in the New York Premiere of Dead Man's Cell Phone, directed by Anne Bogart (that is Thespian Gold, people).
Within 60 minutes I completed reading the script. Chills ran through my core and I started crying as I read the final stage direction. The tears were partly caused by the story itself and partly because I simply wanted more of the script. I had never encountered a work of art that encompassed so many of my interests: mortality, communication, contemporary art, theatre, romance, tragedy, comedy, irony, dark humor, action, symbolism, subtleties, and profound themes translatable to every human being.I wanted to work on this show, someday on some level.
I returned the book to my teacher. From time-to-time I'd drop the title, Dead Man's Cell Phone, in philosophical conversations about theatre or technological communication, but for the most part - I put the show in the back of my mind. One lonely day in Massachusetts, I called a friend from EMU Theatre. He then revealed that Pirooz Aghssa had announced he would be directing Dead Man's Cell Phone at EMU Theatre.
...SAY AGAIN???
That night I hopped on Amazon.com and bought a $7 used copy of the script and cracked open my collection of Sarah Ruhl scripts.
"I'm going to be a part of this show," I thought. "I don't know how, exactly, but I need to be a part of this."
Dead Man's Cell Phone no longer lived in the back of my mind. I analyzed every female character, mentally preparing myself for anything auditions would throw my way. Around the same time is when I was offered the marketing position at EMU Theatre. (Let's pause for a second and so I can tell you that I actually get some of my kicks from marketing...it gets me all giddy.)
The first semester working for EMU Theatre was smashing success. I was sent to the NAMP Conference, EMU Theatre's social media numbers were up unlike ever before, I have been blessed with life-changing mentors, and my co-worker, Emily Clarkson, and I basically get paid to have fun and tell people to come watch our friends perform. (Check out our Inside EMU Actor's Studio project!)
ANYHOW! November rolled around the corner, Dead Man's Cell Phone auditions were straight ahead, I picked out my audition monologue, entertained the idea of skipping auditions to spare myself the grief of not being cast, decided to do it anyway, auditioned, and was cast!
(only Parks & Rec fans will find this funny, and I'm okay with that)
So you know what THAT means? That means I am working on the show in every possible way I could have ever wanted. I'm writing press releases as I memorize lines. I'm hanging posters as I exercise my voice. I ask people with smart phones to Tweet photos of the fight scene (THAT I'M IN!).
Not to mention... top-notch creators, designers, directors, and staff are elbow deep in the process of the highest form of storytelling. (Oh...And one of my best friends, Eric Hohnke and I are opposites. My roommate is in the show. And there's not a single person at rehearsals that I haven't known for 3+ years.)
On Monday (Jan. 23), we begin our last week of rehearsal before we move to tech-week. Promotional videos, blogs, and tweets are being produced and I'm currently pushing an effort to increase student attendance called "Student Night". The idea is to add an extra performance of Dead Man's Cell Phone that will take place at 10pm and student tickets are Two-For-$Ten. (I'll report the results if the idea goes through!)
Dead Man's Cell Phone is a dark romantic comedy about a woman named Jean who unknowingly answers the cell phone of a dead stranger. She continues to create elaborate "confabulations" to make up for her self-imposed insensitivity as she explores the molecular afterthoughts of a man's life and his secrets within his cell phone. It has been a joy to create this character and we can't wait to show everyone how much we love this show.
(Tweet Pic of rehearsals. #DeadMansCellPhone Act One, Scene One.)
Thank you to every single person who has had anything to do with this production (and) or my involvement with this production. This show means a lot to us. It has made me stronger and has given me a fiery purpose until closing night. Show opens Feb 3. Click here for more and more info. COME SEE THE SHOW!!! WE CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THIS STORY!!!
My best friend, Natalie Gregorarz, treated me to a journey to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Located on Woodward Avenue. The DIA is surrounded by The Detroit Public Library, MoCAD, and other noteworthy Midwestern cultural centers. The DIA's collection ranks in the Top Six in the United States. Originally known for their unbeatable American Art collection, the D.I.A. now features comprehensive selections which range from Egyptian, puppetry, Islamic, American, European, African, Native American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Impressionism, Photography, Modern, and Contemporary (basically, they got it on lock-down).
I had been to The DIA about a year ago - previous to my internship at MASS MoCA. My appreciation for this Detroit treasure was heightened after working in a museum for a semester. I am amazed with the level of interaction and information that is provided to the visitors of the D.I.A. (i.e. The Eye Spy games throughout the collections give clues to find a specific element of a piece in the gallery. It forces you to look around and usually draws attention to something you may have overlooked!) I've visited over a dozen museums in the past year - and no one does it quite like the D.I.A.
The DIA does not take itself too seriously and does not require attendees to have any prior knowledgeof art before they enter the galleries. Each exhibition includes an ample amount of information about the era, artist, and selected pieces.
Several works by Van Gogh are featured at the D.I.A. My best friend worships this genius and we gazed in awe at his raw techniques. This particular piece struck me on this visit to the D.I.A. Van Gogh's manic brushwork emulated despair while composing a work that is undeniably beautiful. (Other Van Gogh's include Portrait of a Postman, [The Yellow Hat] Self Portrait, and The Diggers.)
Surely, there is something everyone can enjoy at the D.I.A. If you're a good ol' Michigander or just passing through - I highly suggest you stop on by as the weather is becoming increasingly and bitterly cold.
The Quiet Life from Portland, OR opened the show with a series of Indie-Folk jams with Bluegrass twists. The Quiet Life and I share a love for Dr. Dog, and they were pretty pumped for the opportunity to tour with one of the best Indie bands around. (The Quiet Life will be on tour with Dr. Dog for the rest of November!)
Wax Fang from Louisville, KY was next and blasted through the ballroom with heavy punches of slightly Celtic-rock compositions. Lead singer, Scott Carney's biting vocals wailed above the slamming bass and primal drums.
And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Dr. Dog (MY FAVORITE BAND) sauntered out onto stage and banged out songs that were clearly worshiped by a roomful of die-hard Dog fans.
Being at the Dr. Dog concert was slightly surreal. It's a special occasion when I stumble across another Dr. Dog fan, but watching several people sing different parts of the layered arrangements that I've played a thousand times over was perhaps the best part of the experience.
At a certain point - a few local kids were brought out on stage with giant tiger masks. Did I miss something?
Hopefully Dr. Dog wasn't creeped out that I stayed after the show and thanked them for their timeless music. If you're not a Dr. Dog fan already - check out their music. And you will be. They're one of those bands that will stick to you like glue for the rest of your life. Their ambiguous lyrics with poignant intentions meld themselves to any of your current moods and always help you find your way to better reasoning. So once again, thanks for being there Dr. Dog.
This would be my first personal blog. But I will say that I've written many-a-blogs in my day. I completed my internship at MASS MoCA in June and now I'm working for Eastern Michigan University Theatre. Both jobs require(d) me to blog blog blog blog blog. So why not start my own eh?
This semester I have finally completed EVERY single gen ed requirement and all of my courses are for my major, which is Arts Management (I also have minors in Marketing and Theatre Communications. Woo!)
As a part of my minor, I decided to take a course called Sports and Events Marketing, taught by Professor Sam Fullerton. I figured, "Why not? We're both selling the same concept - Entertainment as a service." The only difference, I have found, are the numbers. As I'm reading the book for class, I see stats that tell me that sports are the 11th largest industry in the U.S. I realize that they DO have a pretty outstanding merchandise platform and practically built-in loyalty, but how are they able to sell out events on a regular basis? Arts orgs are pretty much happy with any attendance they get!
But why? I asked my beloved Mother and she said, "Well...not everyone can paint or act. But basically anyone can grab a basketball and shoot a couple hoops." My Mom is right. And that is just wrong.
But she brings up a good point. Do people really think they CAN'T draw? or dance? or craft? I mean...I totally understand feeling a little shown up when you're standing in front of a Renoir or watch a youtube video of Martha Graham, but why does this scare people? Shouldn't it inspire them? But I suppose I understand. Fortunately, my family is fairly athletic so I have an appreciation for sports. However, if I asked my theatre friends to "shoot some hoops" or go to an EMU Football game, they'd look at me like I was insane. (Note: But pretty much anyone would go to a Red Wings or Tigers game...I mean...Let's get real.)
But why does the high school football team - who barely won a third of their season - get a new field and the drama club - who brings home state trophies - not even have a working drinking fountain in the green room? (What? I'm not bitter.)
...I don't have an exact solution for this dilemma, that's why I'm going to school. But sometimes it's good to read let these things out. We all know it. So someone needs to say it. Well here you have it: SPORTS GET MORE ATTENTION THAN THE ARTS. There.
I believe the solution to the problem (if the problem is addressed from an arts administrative stand-point) begins with education. I believe if elementary and secondary education can genuinely excite children and invite them into the arts community - they will beg their parents until - they too are passionate about the arts. Sports can be a huge part of family tradition, and that is where consumer habits form.
Now let me clarify something...Yes. My future job is in the arts. And yes, I most certainly want to earn a living off of my career. But my concerns have nothing to do with the bottom line. My choice in my education is deeply rooted in my belief that our existence could simply not function without the arts.
I will stifle this tangent for a future blog. I have many thoughts and opinions about the arts and I am always searching for the thoughts an opinions of others.
Comments are (obviously) more than welcomed. Keep reading =]
