Even if it’s only for the free barbecue, Mandy Moyer hopes you’ll join her Monday evening as she draws back the curtain on the upcoming season at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
From 6 to 8 p.m., Moyer and crew will treat area citizens to a preview of the 2025-2026 season including video clips of upcoming acts and productions as well as the debut of season ticket sales.
Moyer is straying from tradition by opening the doors to the public rather than just previous season ticket holders and Friends of the Bowlus members.
It all hews to Moyer’s wider goal of “bringing the Bowlus back to the people,” she said.
“That was Mr. Bowlus’s original goal. To make everyone feel welcome here.”
Moyer’s fresh-faced approach as the Bowlus Center’s executive director hints at how she’s streamlining business practices. For example, all tickets will be sold at a flat rate, with no sales tax to compute. She’s offering “BO-GO,” — buy one, get one free — tickets on family-style productions where every adult-priced ticket comes with a free youth ticket.
The ticket box offices at either side of the entrance also will be put back in use, rather than having people stationed at tables in the foyer.
“Ticket booths are nostalgic. I think it’s cool we have them. We’re also hoping it will improve the flow of traffic in the lobby,” she said.
Moyer also plans to bring back how productions are selected. For years, a Cultural Attractions Committee met with the Bowlus director to decide on what performers and productions would be pursued.
During the directorship of Daniel Kays, 2018-2024, the committee-style decision-making was eliminated.
Moyer said this upcoming season’s selections are “half and half,” in that Kays had booked about half of the season’s productions before he left with less than a month’s notice, leaving it to Moyer and her staff to complete booking acts.
“I look forward to getting more public input,” pertaining to Bowlus shows, she said.
Monday night’s first hour will be in the rehearsal hall, accessed by the east entrance, where “people can come and go,” Moyer said. “We want them to enjoy Red Beard Barbecue and visit.
“I want it to be a night of community.”
From there, the “big reveal” will be in the main auditorium.
Moyer hopes people will take a close look at the season’s ticket prices.
