Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen Patton.
Maureen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Coming from a family of musicians and performing as I grew up, it was inevitable that I would major in music and continue on that path. I met my husband Larry at TCU where I was an undergraduate and he a graduate student, also in music. We performed together, wherever we lived and enjoyed doing Summer Stock musicals at Casa Manana in Fort Worth. Larry’s work as a choral director, and mine as a voice teacher, ultimately led us to Galveston when Larry became head of the Music Department at Galveston College. Who knew that I would end up in my home town, singing for many of the same people who heard me growing up! It was Larry who suggested that the position of Opera House Director was a hand-in-glove fit. I had never considered it. Fortunately, I applied and was hired in 1981 as The Grand’s Director and have been at the job for almost 36 years. It was, in fact, the perfect position for me and I have been so fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time. When The Grand became a stand-alone non-profit organization, my title changed to Executive Director.
Has it been a smooth road?
As in all things, the road has been smooth most of the time, with some bumps and potholes along the way. The Grand is an historic theatre, and when I began, it had traveled the usual road of an exemplary live performance venue, presenting international and national stars as well as the area dance schools, through the vaudeville and silent film era, to a first-run movie house and then a general decline through the years when downtowns became secondary to malls and multi-plexes. By the time it was purchased in 1974, it had been closed a few months and was in need of a complete restoration. I was privileged to be part of that restoration and saw a neglected, sad building become a stunning example of live theatre, named “the official opera house of Texas”. The Grand is truly a jewel in Galveston’s crown and attracts over 70% of its audiences from out of town, primarily from the Greater Houston Area. Challenges are ever-present. As a non-profit, fundraising is crucial even though 75% of our operating budget is generated through ticket sales and rental events. Most recently, we rebuilt the north wall of the building, re-mortaring hundreds of thousands of bricks, one at a time, five rows thick. Builders in the late 19th century really knew how to build structures, but the mortar in those days wasn’t as stable. It was a sight to behold. Programming The Grand is also an annual challenge, in that we have to reinvent ourselves and draw our audiences to us. The experience of seeing a performer at The Grand, however, is unique.
When you’re sitting no farther than 70′ from the stage, you have an up close and personal “in the moment” relationship with the artist and the performance. Our artists love that relationship and the audience responds in kind.
We would not be as successful, nor do what we do without the enormous outpouring of support from foundations, corporations and individuals. Donations from $1 to a million are all part of our success and not only do we value each, but celebrate with everyone as a member of our Grand Family.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As Executive Director, I am responsible for managing the business and staff and reporting to our Board of Directors. When I was first hired, I was a staff of one and had to do it all. I was able to add staff one at a time, starting with stage manager, then box office/ticketing! I still have (and will always have) the primary responsibility for negotiating and booking the season, working with a program committee from our board and keeping all the lines in the water untangled! Our seasons are exemplary, showcasing a variety of disciplines from classic music, theatre and dance to Broadway shows, pop, jazz and country music and comedians. We offer something for everyone!
All other efforts regarding fundraising, marketing, house management, etc. still go through me for discussion with varying degrees of origination, review and approval. As the executive director, I represent The Grand as its spokesperson and serve on a number of committees and boards in the community. At present, I sit as a Trustee on Galveston’s Park Board of Trustees, chairing their Tourism Development Advisory Committee, am an ex officio on the city’s Arts Commission and a member (and past chair) of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. Beyond our community, I chair the Southwest Performing Arts Presenters (comprised of other presenters in the area who are similar to us), serve on the board (past-president) of the League of Historic American Theatres and received their first annual Outstanding Individual Award.
The Grand stands proud as a survivor, coming back from the devastation of the 1900 Storm in thirteen months, serving as a place of healing and rebirth as it provided a place of public assembly for bonding post-storm and an economic driver for a city that needed to get back on its feet. We repeated that same mission in 2008 following Ike, this time reopening after only 92 days of construction on our anniversary of January 3. We continued to repair for months, spending over 6 million dollars, but working around a construction schedule in order to stay on course with a performance season. Again, we served as a major economic driver to help our city recover.
Over twenty years ago, The Grand established a Grand Kids Festival, adding to our already successful student performances during the school year. The Festival was designed to connect young people with performing and visual arts, offering a week-long residency by Missoula Children’s Theatre that culminated in performances at the Festival as well as artisan workshops to teach a variety of artistic skills. Three years ago, our board agreed that we should make the Festival a free event to the public so that every child and family could attend at no charge and enjoy the music, art, games and atmosphere. It has been a very special and important step for us.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Galveston’s Regional Chamber of Commerce, led by Gina Spagnola, its President and CEO, could speak volumes about the opportunities for new businesses and the support throughout the city. The Grand is unique in that it is the only year-long professional presenter in the area. What sets us apart is the intimacy of the theatre and its 1000 seats as compared to so many other performance halls of 2000 and many more.
Our Chamber established a C-Crewe, made up of young professionals, under 40 years of age who have made Galveston a home for themselves, and their families. They are our future.
Pricing:
- Student performances are $5 per student with scholarship tickets available through our fundraising program called “Daisy’s Friends.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Grand 1894 Opera House
2020 Postoffice Street - Website: www.thegrand.com
- Phone: 409.765.1894; 800.821.1894
- Email: tickets@thegrand.com
- Instagram: The Grand 1894 Opera House
- Facebook: facebook.com/TheGrand1894OperaHouse
- Twitter: @Grand1894
- Other: tripadvisor.com/members/grand1894operahouse
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
