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21 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 29, 2021 ARTS BIZ We are currently hiring experienced: • Seniors • Supervisors • Managers • System Engineers • Network Engineers Our firm offers a supportive, flexible, inclusive, and collaborative culture, as well as a hybrid work environment to help you achieve personal and professional success. To learn more about our openings or to apply, please check out our careers page at: www.wadvising.com/GrowWithUs ASSURANCE | ADVISORY | TAX | TECHNOLOGY 14 Bobala Rd 3rd Floor Holyotke, MA 01040 Tel: 413.536.3970 280 Trumbull St 24th Floor Hartford, CT 06103 Tel: 860.522.3111 One Hamden Center 2319 Whitney Ave, Suite 2A Hamden, CT 06518 Tel: 203.397.2525 at the time, anticipating what the entertainment landscape would be when they did reopen. As COVID infection rates decreased in Connecticut and restrictions eased, the new group created a marketing campaign this fall to promote the fact theaters reopened and to encourage audiences to return. There was also a collaborative booking, with Waterbury's Palace Theater taking the front end of a week's stay of the touring musical "Anastasia," and Shubert taking the back end; both theaters were able to reduce some costs as a result of the partnership. There are now regular e-blasts for each others' shows and a website promoting all acts at the venues. And yes, lobbying efforts are on the agenda, too — and now more empowered with a larger geographical reach. "With data sharing, we can now say that every corner of Connecticut is impacted by at least one of our organizations," said Tavera. "They usually see us in our own little fiefdoms. It was important for [legislators] to hear we are working together. The state appreciates that as not-for-profits, we're looking for ways to best utilize any dollars we get to benefit everybody, not just ourselves." Focus on the future "The [new alliance] is as much about the future as it was about what occurred in the last 18 months," said Fay. "I'm one who believes in the years ahead, and certainly in the next decades, that the entire nonprofit community — and not just cultural institutions — is going to have to figure out mergers, acquisitions and affiliations because the cost of doing business [individually] is getting out of hand." He notes that presenting houses like The Bushnell — which primarily book touring shows from elsewhere — are different from the state's flagship regional producing theaters such as Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre and Westport Country Playhouse. Still, Fay said he sees the trend of smaller organizations joining larger entities in order to share the resources necessary to address advances in technology and customer relations, "and to have the financial footing that allows you to do the kinds of things we need to be doing." Fay also said the nonprofit and commercial world will inevitably work more closely together, too. The new alliance, he says, is a way to make that happen. For now, the theaters are just getting started with their new bond. "With no preconceived notions," said Fay, "we'll just have to see where it all leads. It's too early to be predicting." CT Performing Arts Centers Coalition members ● The Bushnell (Hartford) ● Palace Theater (Waterbury) ● The Palace (Stamford) ● Garde Arts Center (New London) ● Shubert Theatre (New Haven) ● Warner Theatre (Torrington) The Palace Theater in Waterbury has a capacity of about 2,570 people. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED