Beck Center Wraps Up Its 'Best Season Ever'

After 80 years of providing Lakewood with theater and art, the just wrapped up its best season ever.

Yeah, that’s right – ever.

Beck Center officials say there are a few reasons for that.

Cindy Einhouse, Beck Center CEO and president, said the addition of online ticketing software, a new website and the increased utilization of social media have all helped.

“I think it had to do with the artistic choices, to one extent,” Einhouse said. “But there were also some investments that we made in our operations do to some really great donor support.”

Those investments, such as the previously mentioned technological advances, were the catalyst for the Beck’s success.

“Starting in the spring of 2009, we were able to sell our theater tickets online,” Einhouse said. “People almost immediately took advantage of that.”

And the artistic choices center around the diverse programming offered.

In addition to shows that appeal to a broad audience such as , Einhouse said the Beck is also “happy to produce a show that’s a little bit more provocative like , which “appeals to the more adventurous theatergoer.”

Also, partnerships such as that with Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, didn’t hurt.

Working with CPAC allowed the Beck to increase their visibility with a direct mailing campaign based on demographics.

“We also have a very large word of mouth,” said Kathleen Caffrey, director of marketing and external affairs, adding that "the caliber of talent that we bring to the table helps bolster that word of mouth."

This talent includes professional actors, directors and set design, which all help to distinguish the Beck from other small community theatres.

Having closed its 2010-11 season with the production of on Aug. 14, preparations for the new season — which began Sept. 1 — have been under way.

“We get contributions from individual, corporate and foundation donors,” Caffrey said, mentioning the Ohio Arts Council and the Cleveland Foundation.

This allows the Beck to keep the theater looking nice the ticket prices low, she added.

The first show of the new season, – a “cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical blast from the past,” will premire on Sept. 16.

“We’re extremely excited about bringing another terrific season to Northeast Ohio,” Caffrey said.”