In his three years at the helm of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, director Dan Kays is thankful that he naturally wakes up on the sunny side of the bed.
In the first year in which Center’s programs were decided at his discretion, 2019-2020, the season was canceled half-way through due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year is better. Attendance is down 30-35 percent,” he said Thursday afternoon.
The saving grace are season ticket sales.
For the Oct. 16 performance featuring jazz trombonist Aubrey Logan, 243 tickets were sold, while only 170 attended.
“While I’d rather have the seats filled, I still made budget,” Kays said. “The season ticket sales have been a lifesaver.”
Even though the last 18 months have been a struggle, Kays said he’s proud he’s been able to keep the Center’s doors open.
“Yes, the crowds are smaller, but we’ve still been able to provide live entertainment, and no matter how good or big a screen may be, there’s nothing like the feeling of the house lights dimming, the curtain lifting, and the beginning of a real, live performance. I get goosebumps, just thinking of it.”
“The energy by the performers is also amazing,” he said. “They are thrilled to be back on stage.”
With the pandemic still hanging around — Allen County reported 30 new cases this week — Kays said he’s hoping to sell 250 tickets per performance, which would fill about half of the downstairs portion of the auditorium. Sales for the Nov. 20 show featuring Michael Cavanaugh have reached a promising 300 tickets. Cavanaugh is a singer and pianist who specializes in performing the works of Billy Joel and Elton John.
Booking shows remains a tricky business, Kays said, with cancellations always a possibility.
As long as the pandemic remains a health threat, the performing arts industry will suffer.
“The problem is industry-wide,” he said. “Broadway, especially, is doom and gloom. Without tourists, there’s no Broadway.”
Before the pandemic, tourists in NYC spent $47 billion annually, according to the city’s tourism agency. About half of that came from foreign visitors. This year, visitor spending is forecast at $24 billion, half of the 2019 total. Hotel bookings are down 88% for the year.
It won’t be until 2024 that business and group travel can be expected to reach pre-pandemic levels, according to industry experts.
