Spotlight On: Kenneth Novice, President & CEO, Broadway Dallas

Spotlight On: Kenneth Novice, President & CEO, Broadway Dallas

2022-10-19T16:13:31-04:00October 19th, 2022|Dallas-Fort Worth, Spotlight On, Tourism|

2 min read October 2022 — With Invest:, President and CEO of Broadway Dallas Kenneth Novice discussed recent highlights, the welcoming nature of the Dallas business community and exciting community-oriented programs. “Dallas has this unique desire to grow business together, partner and support each other,” said Novice.

What are the biggest highlights or achievements for your organization over the last two years?

During the beginning of the pandemic, our industry shut down and folks couldn’t be together. Much like the restaurant industry, we had no revenue for an extended period. So, to survive that, we had to adapt and we offered online programming and re-purposed our staff to support other Dallas social service organizations such as City Square’s food pantry. 

We also actively engaged and participated in the development of a Federal COVID relief program called Shuttered Venue Operator Grants. This program provided grants for entertainment venues, whether they be music venues or theaters, to rehire staff and begin operating again after a very long period of shut-down. That was a game changer for our industry coming out of the pandemic. We like to focus on leadership in our organization, both internally and externally. We made a concerted effort to get very involved in the development of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program. I sat on several different committees to work on it with colleagues from around the country. We even had a wonderful opportunity to work with Senator Chuck Schumer in the development of that bill. That program resulted in the ability of many arts organizations, not only across Dallas but across the country, to bounce back when they were able to go back to performances. 

One of the most meaningful experiences I had in my career was launching the first Broadway show in North America since the pandemic began. We presented Wicked beginning August of 2021 and it played to sold out houses. It was a nail-biting experience because we were the first out of the gate in the use of COVID-related protocols for audiences, actors, crews and backstage for a large-scale musical. In the end, it was extraordinarily rewarding to have audiences safely back in the theater.

What sets Dallas apart from other markets when it comes to the cultural scene?

What stands out to me in Dallas is there is a very strong spirit of collaboration and partnership in this city. Folks here are very interested in supporting each other for the benefit of the city as a whole. 

Dallas has this unique desire to grow business together, partner and support each other. When I wanted to get a meeting with the CEO of a company it didn’t take very long. For example, I was able to get a meeting with Toyota in a very short time where in another large city it can take a lot longer. I find Dallas welcoming, open, particularly supportive and fond of partnerships.

What is your approach to diversity, equity and inclusion?

In terms of DEI issues, the key is how we are going to make this theater accessible, how we are going to make people want to be here and make it feel welcoming. We need to be partners with the folks in this community, particularly our neighbors in Fair Park and South Dallas. We are regularly talking with and inviting people in community centers, arts organizations, Dallas Independent School District and schools. If we don’t do that, we are not being good neighbors and we’re not going to be successful.

Can you mention a specific community-oriented program?

We have a program with the T.D. Jakes Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks Foundation and several other supporters  – these folks have come together to support 3,400 outstanding students from South Dallas Schools. Our teaching artists are utilizing theater to teach STEM disciplines – all themed around our coming presentation of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations. After this, all 3,400 students will come to the Music Hall to see Ain’t Too Proud free of charge. 

Our focus is on STEM disciplines and the use of the arts to teach. We’re using Ain’t Too Proud as an opportunity to teach STEM disciplines through the arts in schools. We also did this program with the musical Hamilton. We had students learn how to create advertising with several different software programs utilizing computers and software we provide. With Ain’t Too Proud, we’re providing technology for them to learn about the technology of theater, such as how to create lighting and technical effects in theater. So, the focus is not on the typical things you would think of in theater such as acting and directing. It’s great to watch these students react to the show after all that they’ve learned.

For more information, visit: 

https://broadwaydallas.org/ 

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