Sunday, March 30, 2008 12:25 AM CDT
Rosebud Theatre going strong so far, with plans to add fine arts education and to continue variety of shows
By EMILY GRADLE, For the JG-TC
EFFINGHAM — This month marks the fourth month of business for the Rosebud Theatre.
The Branson-style theater in Effingham opened early last November and has been entertaining audiences ever since.
“Sales, for the most part, have been good,” said Martin Hubbard, the Rosebud Theatre’s president.
There are already 809 season ticket holders for the year, and eight of the shows from the theater’s entertainment calendar have sold out, he said. The theater is planning to offer at least 46 shows this year.
Acts that have done particularly well at the Rosebud have been classic rock, classic country, and comedians. However, Hubbard said the theater plans to continue to offer a variety of acts.
“It’ll still be the same broad spectrum,” he said.
Since opening, Hubbard said that the only aggravation of the business has been marketing. Some of the lesser-known, talented acts just haven’t drawn the crowd that they have deserved, he said.
“The frustrations that we have had have been directly in correlation to marketing to certain groups … not having the crowds for some of these (entertainers),” Hubbard said.
The theater hired marketing director Deana Nuxoll in mid-February. The theater plans to market to 275,000 people within a 100-mile radius by printed advertising, radio and direct mail.
“There isn’t one pigeon-hole section that we’re trying to market. It’s really spanning all ages,” said Nuxoll.
The theater has already begun to establish a large customer base in the surrounding area, officials said. Effingham’s Director of Tourism Kim Wiedman said the city’s economy has been showing signs of growth since the theater opened its doors.
“We’re already seeing some impact,” said Wiedman. She added that many ticket holders have used Effingham hotels and restaurants for service.
“I think we’ll see the area around the theater develop,” she said.
Currently, the theater’s funding is supported by private investors. Many come from the Effingham community.
“We’ve had an amazing outpouring of support,” said Nuxoll. “Effingham in particular has been a great support.”
In the future, the theater plans to expand into fine arts education. This summer, there will be theater camps for youth and a theater reading camp for seniors. The Rosebud also is working with Lake Land College, Eastern Illinois University and local schools to enhance art education.
“Our goal is to make the arts an integral part to someone in every household in the local community,” said Hubbard.
Information about the Rosebud Theatre can be viewed on its Web site at www.therosebudtheatre.com. Tickets can be bought online or at the theater’s box office located at 1325 Outer Belt West, Effingham.
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scottnsara2001 wrote on Mar 31, 2008 4:29 PM: