Data @ New York Classical Theatre

Data @ New York Classical Theatre
Speaker: Hillary Cohen, Managing Director, New York Classical Theatre

How Audiences Tell Us What They Want

New York Classical Theatre enriched the lives of thousands during our 2021 season. It has performances by Shakespeare, among other playrights, in New York Central Park, among other public venues.

New York Classical Theatre has been entertaining and educating audiences in Manhattan & Brooklyn public parks for 22 summers in a row -- except 2020. Our neighbors, friends, and patrons returned for our reappearance in June, July, and August, and their data told us a lot about their preferences.

Our welcoming, come-as-you-are approach to performances, presented at no direct cost to our guests, in large open public places consistently attracts a broad range of the City's demographics. And, like most New Yorkers, our audiences are never shy about their opinions! Now, with investments in a few affordable but powerful software products, we have more information about who our patrons are and what they want.

In this presentation, NY Classical's Managing Director, Hillary Cohen, will discuss:

-Who was attending in-person outdoor theater in 2021, compared to pre-pandemic seasons?
-Where did they find out about the performances?
-What communication do they prefer before, during, and after a program?
-How did they support our non-profit?
-Are they likely to return next season?
-Based on the data, what changes can we make to keep our audiences engaged?

Hillary Cohen has been the "management half" of New York Classical Theatre since May of 2018. Her previous non-profit management work represents experience with the operation of successful arts organizations including Vox Populi cooperative art gallery, Manhattan Theatre Club, Film Forum, Wave Hill public garden and cultural center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Cherry Lane Theatre. She is a graduate of Drexel University with a degree in Corporate Communication and a Theatre Production minor. Hillary studied non-profit administration at New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and has served as a Grant Panelist for the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York.