What do you feel separates SPAC from other outdoor performing arts venues?

Well I truly believe what we offer people is a magical experience at a beautiful facility. When you drive into SPAC you enter into this hall of pines and you see these beautiful Grecian buildings and you go to this park setting where a scrolling green lawn leads right into this beautiful amphitheatre. It’s about the experience and the incredibly beautiful park that gives you communication with nature. We also have an incredible dining facility that offers people the opportunity to dine, experience pre-performance talks and pre-performance music in the gazebo, not to mention the opportunity to unwind and relax and give in to a magical experience.

What are some of the biggest challenges preparing for each season?

For us the biggest challenge of being in the performing arts industry, where the major components are classical performing arts, is the fact that younger audience goers are not as familiar with classical performances, and if they had not been introduced to that art form when they were young, it’s something you have to inspire them to be a part of. Our main core of support we have for classical arts is a more mature demographic, and we need to inspire a younger generation and crowd to recognize the world class caliber of performance we have here because we will never change that—we will never change the artistic integrity we have.

Why is it important to have a diversity of both classical and non-classical performances at SPAC?

It really adds to the iconic legacy of SPAC. When the amphitheatre was built, it was designed for the NYC Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra residents, but in addition to that over the past years we added the rock concert component and that still is necessary because our contractual agreement with Live Nation gives us a $1 million fee every year and seeing we are in a difficult financial place that money has become important to the continuation of our classical programming. The concert series also brings in a diverse crowd of younger, middle-aged and older generations to SPAC. By bringing in this diverse audience, it might entice concert goers to come and attend a performance of the ballet or orchestra.

What will be different about this year’s line-up compared to line-ups in past years?

Every year the New York City Ballet brings offerings from their spring program and this year it’s a tribute to Jerome Robbins and we are very excited about that. We are very happy about the selections that Peter Martins and the NYC Ballet will be bringing because they are pieces that have not been here in a number of years including three world premier performances, so it’s going to be a season not to be missed. The Philadelphia Orchestra also will bring some artists that have not been here in a very long time. For example, Martha Argerich, who’s recognized as one of the greatest pianists in the world and who rarely performs, will be joining us this year as well as an array of great rock concerts and festivals.

Some people have been unhappy with the concert line-up that Live Nation has put out the last few years. Do you feel Live Nation has been a good partner for SPAC?

Live Nation has been an excellent partner with SPAC for as long as I have been here and probably long before that. They provide incredible security and education for the people who attend their shows and they certainly have had record numbers of people attending their concerts in recent years. One of the issues Live Nation has with us is that the most popular season to tour in is July and we take three weeks of their season for the NYC Ballet during that month, so those are several dates they could book a tour but can’t.

What is in store for the future at SPAC?

The future is really in the hands and hearts of our audience. I am very proud that we are going to be able to announce the third phase of our renovation facility plan where we will begin exterior renovations on the facility. The construction will start in September and will hopefully be completed by next year’s season. It will really give us a new look, a new start and a chance to draw attention to who we are. But what’s important is that we preserve the legacy that is here and to recognize the founders and donors of SPAC.