Our Digital Billboard Campaign

Throughout 2011 The Grand will have a 24/7 presence on Lamar Digital billboards located at University & Asbury, US 20 near Century Dr & JFK north of Asbury Road. They will be used to promote most every event at the Grand with a goal of attracting as many patrons as possible to our wonderful venue and to support all the events that we have scheduled in 2011. The first posting will alternate BUDDY with THE 4 FRESHMEN.

Nutcracker breaks attendance records

The Dubuque City Youth Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” at the Grand Opera House was attended by a record 2,029 persons surpassing last year by more than 300 persons.

Artistic Director Marina O’Rourke is already working on the Heartland Ballet Spring Gala in March of 2011. The spring production will feature three brand new and original one act ballets including a new work choreographed to original music composed by Clarke University music professor David Resnick.

Resnick’s composition, “A Novel Idea” will be performed by the composer onstage with the dancers. Titles of the two other original works will be announced in January.

Concession Stand News

In early January we will switch from Pepsi fountain product to cans in time for the February events. Cost is virtually the same. They will supply recycle containers for us and they will pick them up when necessary. ONLY Pepsi products can be in these recycle containers. So, we'll have to be careful about that.

Pepsi will supply a cooler for us to keep the product in upstairs and downstairs.

This opens up a much greater variety of product to sell, including lemonade, orange drink,etc. And, would allow us the luxury of opening up a second soft drink stand in the box office area when there is a great demand as during the ballet.

This switchover will save us from wasted product, the expense of CO2, cups, ice, etc. Progress!

Marina O'Rourke talks about the 2010 Nutcracker at the Grand

Marina O'Rourke in the Dubuque Academy of Ballet studio 

Chapter Six was great

Chapter Six did a fantastic show Sunday at the Grand. Attendance wasn't what we would have liked, but the 130 who came saw a terrific display of musicianship and showmanship. They interacted skillfully with the audience of all ages (6-80) who responded with a standing ovation.

This is a class act. But, the Dubuque Arts Council is noted for bringing high quality entertainment to Dubuque. It's unfortunate that so many decided not to bother to see this exceptional group of young men.

New Security System installed at the Grand Opera House - Dubuque

Thanks to a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association/Mystique Casino, the Grand Opera House now has a state of art Video Security System. Video cameras and monitors have been placed at strategic locations on the first four floors of the building. Extra security measures were considered necessary because of the number of young people using the building after school and early evening to attend classes at the Dubuque Academy of Ballet.

All activity in the lobby, stairwells and studios can now be seen from several monitoring sights as well as from off site computers linked to the devices.

Buddy Auditions

Auditions for Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story are Monday November 29 and Tuesday November 30 from 7pm to 9pm at the Grand.

Production Board

The Grand Production Board met Wednesday night at 5:30. This is the group that works behind the scenes to make everything happen at the Grand. Joan Mest supervises both Concessions and Ushers. She reported a need for more "kid" candy like M&Ms and Skittles for the upcoming Nutcracker Ballet. No popcorn will be offered during those performances. She made special note of the excellent team of ushers who worked the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the messy cleanup afterwards. Based on the good time and good behavior of everyone who attended we decided to do "Rocky" again next year on the Saturday before Halloween.

Christine Sikula, our Costume Dept. supervisor reported nothing new. The next big event is "Buddy" in February and those costumes are being rented from a lady who has done them for this show at UD. The need for some type of door on the costume room directly off the elevator was noted.

Our Prop Lady, Lynda Eigenberger, thanked everyone for their help with BINGO and ROCKY. There is a need for quite a few 1950s items for BUDDY. She'll prepare that list and start looking soon.

Jill Peterson, our Office Manager and Box Office Supervisor reported that 4-pack, 8-pack and season passes were selling well. We're currently offering a 2 for 1 coupon for CHAPTER SIX sponsored by the Dubuque Arts Council November 28. Those are starting to move well. Jill also reported the excellent response to group sales for the 2011 season. The leader so far is the SWING OUT show with over 300 seats already sold.

Helen Kilburg, lead House Manager reported the need for House Manager reports to be filled in after every show. She has worked with some new volunteers from IBM that are doing a fine job. One has agreed to work as House Manager for shows in 2011.

Make Up supervisor, Becky Heil, reported that she will be do a cleanup of the Make Up dept. soon. Becky has also been assisting in the Box Office during busy times. We appreciate her assistance.

Tech Director, Keith Ahlvin, has reported the clean up in process in the basement. The Hammond organ has been moved to the main stage and will be checked over by Gig Crippes soon. Keith will be meeting with Joe Klinebriel soon to begin planning for the very ambitious PHANTOM staging and with Jeff Tebbe who will direct SINGIN' in the RAIN.

Our Marketing person, Megan Gloss is working with 12 restaurants in the downtown area to create Dinner & A Show discounts and coupons. She also discussed some excellent ideas for directing attention to younger persons. One of those is this blog. Another is a You Tube Channel: GrandOperaHouseDBQ. A video of Richie Cole with Five by Design is posted today.

In the future Paul will do video interviews with directors, actors, musicians, etc. to help promote Grand productions. They will be posted on You Tube and linked to our website, too. Paul reported that we now own the Adobe Design Suite that will allow us to make our own changes to the website rather than depending on Net-Smart to do this.

Paul also reported that we received $500 from a Boutin Grant with the Iowa Community Theater Association to replace at least 4 of our hearing assistance devices. Another grant has been written to Rotary Club of Dubuque to replace additional units.

The meeting adjourned shortly after 6:40pm. We all looking forward to the GREEN MAGIC SHOW tonight at 7:30pm.