The four ‘Ps’ in performing arts

There are at least four “P’s” required to accomplish what is needed for a ticket buyer to enjoy a concert.  They are each closely related, but not nearly the same.  The four “P’s” I am referring to are: production, promotion, performance and presenting. Although we are all involved in making a concert or show for someone to enjoy, it requires different skills.

Let’s take the Niswonger Performing Arts Center as an example. The Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation is primarily a presenter of performing arts. We look for, book, contract with and eventually present already existing performances.  If the performance doesn’t occur at the Niswonger, it may happen somewhere else.

Production is the making of a show or concert. Schools, community theaters and other creative organizations produce shows. All the shows we bring to the Niswonger have been produced by someone else. There are people who are trained and work primarily as producers.

After a show is produced, it needs to be promoted.  If it is a touring show, it must first be promoted to a presenting organization and/or venue. This is what I deal with constantly. I receive hundreds of emails, brochures, videos, and the like, promoting performers.  On occasion, you may be a promoter by telling me about a certain performer you saw or heard and think would be a perfect fit for a Van Wert venue. Bet you didn’t think of yourself as a promoter, did you?

Then there is the performing aspect. I believe this needs little explanation. These are the artists who actually make the show happen on stage. They usually get the credit for everything good or bad that people experience. Just know that before it gets to the performance part, there are many other facets behind the scenes.

That brings me to the presenter part and this is what we do. We are the ones who put our necks on the line, to the point that what we think you will enjoy, you will also think you will enjoy to the point you might be compelled to buy a ticket. It can be a very risky business if you don’t have a pulse for the end user: in other words, the audience members.

Some presenters aren’t very successful because they try and force their preferences on audiences. Now, that being said, I have to admit that we take calculated risks occasionally. Sometimes we win and sometimes we “get educated.”  I sincerely hope that we have earned the trust of most people and that we can expose audiences to new experiences from time to time.

When we take a look at the Community Concert Series currently being sold or the Grand Series, which will be announced soon, I encourage you to consider each artist and make your choices based on well-rounded criteria. You may want to check out the artist on our website.  We try to get as much information and video posted as possible.  You can also go to the artist’s own website and get a good feel for what they are about.

As a presenter, we also realize that when we have a mailing list of over 15,000 people from all over the region representing different age demographics, we must offer a variety of performances. I am so glad when people discover and enjoy new artists they never knew about before.  The safe choice is to go with the ones you think you know.  Even then, they can sometimes disappoint though.

Thank you all for such wonderful support throughout our 2014-15 season at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.  It is you, the audience, who make us special!

FINÉ.