Meeting |
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Meeting |
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Report |
September 18, 2001 |
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| Matt Olin, new managing director of the Charlotte
Repertory Theatre, shared his vision for the 25-year-old theater company at Charlotte
Rotary on Tuesday — and what a vision it is! Charlotte Rep, he said, should be an "artistic torchbearer" for the national theater. When people in the theater world think of Charlotte, they should use words like "influential," "prominent," "visible," "active," "respected" and "renowned." It is his "personal mission to elevate Charlotte Repertory Theatre — and by that, Charlotte as a city — to a position of high visibility as an artistic hotbed of the East Coast," said Olin, who grew up in Charlotte before heading to UNC Chapel Hill to earn his undergraduate degree. Charlotte Rep "should be considered a breeding ground for the best theatrical talent today, a place that the rest of the country (including New York City) will watch very closely to see what we do next," said the former producer and manager of theatrical productions in New York City for the past ten years. "I want shows that are first brought to life on our stage to end up playing in New York — on Broadway, Off Broad-way, wherever — and then to find further life around the country as regional and community theaters produce their own productions of our shows," said the newly married Olin. "I want a Tony Award to rest within Uptown Charlotte. I want a play that originates at Charlotte Rep to win a Pulitzer Prize. I want our theater to become a player on the national theater scene. I want. I want. I want. I want a lot of things. And here's the important part . . . here's the exciting part: we know how to get it," he said. First of all. Charlotte Rep is plugged into "the network," said Olin, who was involved in productions at Dodger Theatricals in New York that won 14 Tony Awards and 49 nominations. Through those productions, Olin said, he acquired a "network of friends, artists, associates and acquaintances throughout the theater world, some of them very accomplished at their individual crafts. I now consider them members of the Charlotte Rep family." "Tapping into new Broadway and Off-Broadway projects is what will help solidify us as a 'cutting edge' institution, in tune to and on board New York's next new hit before it's even a hit," the Columbia University graduate said. "It is also my priority to get my New York associates in tune to and on board Charlotte Rep's original projects as well. Charlotte, led by Charlotte Rep, can become the next Chicago or Boston as a point of origin of Broadway- and Off-Broadway-bound new work. It won't be long before the rest of the world will have to take notice, because Charlotte Rep's contribution will be too valuable to be overlooked." Now, said Olin, "before you think that I'm overestimating the importance that I'm putting on New York and that city's role in modern-day theater, let me take it a step further for you. Let me demonstrate for you how the plug-in to the network can really play out for Charlotte Rep and for our city of Charlotte. It's like playing a game of chess — you just need to have the right pieces and the right strategy, and you can win every time." Charlotte Rep is one of only two theaters in the Carolinas that are members of LORT, the League of Resident Theatres. This is a "privileged club," the associate producer said. There are only 75 members and they include Lincoln Center in New York City, ACT in San Francisco and The Goodman in Chicago. Said Olin, LORT membership helps make lots of things happen. "Bingo, we're plugged into the network." From his New York days, he had many contacts at Dodger Theatricals. He was aware of a project, "True Home," that was ready for a world premiere. "In today's commercial theatre world, it's often advisable not to open your new show cold in New York City," Olin said. "It's not a place that is conducive to premiering new work. Theater critics often sneak into preview performances and then write articles about the problems your show is having" which can have disastrous results. "This is where Charlotte steps in. Shows like 'True Home' need their first-ever production to happen" where it is safe and nurturing. In Charlotte, a show like "True Home" can get a world premiere production "safe from the eyes of the high-profile theater critics, but in front of the eyes of supportive, sophisticated theater goers." Said Olin, "Commercial theater producers love the idea. For a fraction of the cost, they get to test a new show outside of New York City" in a LORT theater. "LORT theaters love the idea, too. If the commercial producer decides to transfer the show to New York, the theater's name (and the city's name) is attached to that show in perpetuity." Charlotte Rep's two greatest remaining challenges are to continue to expand its audience base and to increase financial support of all kinds, he said. "With these two things, the sky's the limit for our city." Former president Martin Waters presided in the absence of President Jim. Hal Bouton introduced the speaker. Jamie McLawhorn gave health and happiness. Chuck Lineberry led the Club in the singing of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Martin Welton gave the invocation. * * * |
New Member
2001 Higher Education Pfeiffer University Dr. Charles (Chuck) Ambrose was born in Drexel, N.C. Chuck earned a Bachelor's degree in sociology from Furman University, where he was captain of the soccer team. He has also earned a Master's degree in higher education administration from the University of Louisville, and a doctorate in the same academic field from the University of Georgia. Chuck was the director of the Paladin Club at Furman, served as executive assistant to the president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C., worked on the advancement team at Western Carolina University, and was appointed the vice president for advancement at Carson-Newman College. In 1998, he became the eighth president of Pfeiffer University, a position he holds today. Chuck serves on the board of directors for Wachovia Bank and the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce. Chuck met his wife Kris at Purman, where she was an outstanding golfer, a pastime both enjoy participating in together today. They have two children: Charlie, 9, and Kathryn, 6. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Chuck, * * * |
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