TEXARKANA, Texas - Three organizations have applied to Texarkana, Texas, to manage the Perot Theatre: the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and Iowa-based company VenuWorks.
TRAHC currently manages the Perot. Both the TSO and VenuWorks showed interest when Perot management last came up for a request for proposal in 2012 but ultimately did not apply, said Robby Robertson, the director of the city's parks and recreation department who's overseeing the process.
He said all three proposals look very good with a lot of experience. He sees this as fortunate for the Perot.
"I think it's beneficial to the Perot Theatre, to the city as a whole, that we've got three very qualified companies/organizations that want to be a part of this," Robertson said.
The proposals for the Perot were due Tuesday. An award decision should be announced within four to six weeks.
"We've got a citizen committee board that is going to be looking at the proposals, as well," Robertson said. City staff will meet with them and provide the proposals. They'll likely ask vendors to do a presentation to the committee.
Dean Barry, Debby Sutton, Gail Eichler, Derrick McGary and Fred Norton are the five committee members who will provide input, along with staff recommendations.
Robertson said they'll be guided by specific evaluation criteria, such as a vendor's experience and qualifications and the submitted proposal itself, which includes a management approach, programming vision, marketing and promotions, financial stability and staffing.
"It's going to be a joint effort," Robertson said about the staff and committee making an award, adding, "Obviously we want outside eyes to look at these proposals."
He said it's possible vendors could do a small presentation for the committee in the next few weeks after an initial staff meeting with the committee is done.
"We want to get the presentations and everything in before the end of March," Robertson said.
TRAHC
TRAHC touts its submission, saying it "captures the vast potential of the theatre and expresses areas of growth to maintain status as a successful live entertainment venue in a very competitive market," according to a statement.
"As the management company of the theatre for 40 years, our staff know the theatre from box office to back stage intimately, are vested in the overall success of our community and understand the benefits of tourism and live entertainment to Downtown Texarkana," TRAHC said.
TRAHC notes that the Texarkana market has supported different sorts of events recently, such as movies, concerts and comedy.
"If awarded the theatre contract, PTMC (Perot Theatre Management Co.) is ready to expand current and establish new entertainment options to reach new markets, increase revenue, and continue to develop Downtown Texarkana as a destination area for tourists and locals," TRAHC says, also mentioning its estimated 214 years of combined experience in theater operations and more - "creating a powerhouse team unrivaled by any other in our area."
Also, TRAHC has helped the city with Perot renovations that improve show capabilities and audience services.
"TRAHC, INC./PTMC has and always will be a supporter of arts through educational programs, free art exhibits, cultural development, and theatre productions," TRAHC stated. "We thank our community for the years of support and look forward to what possibilities lie ahead with the Request for Proposal decision."
TSO
In a statement about submitting its bid, the TSO touted its abilities as an orchestra.
"The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, like many other professional orchestras throughout the United States, is uniquely capable of managing the Perot Theatre," the TSO stated. "Orchestras, more so than any other arts organizations, understand that modestly sized theatres that serve primarily non-profit arts organizations, provide educational programs to the public, and nurture community-based arts and culture cannot wholly sustain themselves without a commitment to diverse and ever-changing programming."
Added the TSO, "TSO shares the City's interest in assuring that consistent, efficient and quality services are provided at the Perot Theatre to renters, customers and patrons alike, and that a new 21st century vision for the Perot Theatre is needed."
The TSO's vision for the Perot's future includes what it describes as "the right balance of artistic expression and sound business management," according to the statement.
One specific goal the TSO mentions is presenting "seasons that include performing arts of all types with input from the entire community."
"We were pleased to submit our bid for the future management of the Perot Theatre and look forward to the City's decision in April," the organization says.
VenuWorks
In an interview, the VenuWorks founder and CEO, Steven Peters, said he's a theater guy at heart and the company manages seven historic theaters around the Midwest.
"The other things is we do specialize in mid-size markets and so I think we kind of understand what the general challenge is in Texarkana," Peters said, noting he thinks VuneWorks's historic theater experience would serve them well as Perot managers.
"It's a little bit different. It takes maybe a little bit more tender loving care, an eye toward maintenance and long-term replacement planning and stuff so you don't wear things out. It's a gorgeous site. We had our vice president of programming go down and take a look at it. We know that we could bring in a lot of programming," Peters said.
He says they understand that they'd work with local organizations, such as TSO and TRAHC - "which we do everywhere. That's really the basis," he added.
"I think maybe what we'd be able to do that maybe the others might not be so able to do is to use our network to bring in more commercial shows, the touring national shows. Because you've got the capacity there to be able to support those kinds of shows. We make that a hallmark of what we do," Peters said. "We also make food and beverage a hallmark of what we do. We do that without ruining the upholstery or carpets in these historic theaters."
Food and beverage is both a revenue source and a way theater patrons enjoy the experience of a show, he said.