Seth ChitwoodStandard-Times
NEW BEDFORD — With plans to start renovations in September, the Zeiterion plans to be closed until winter 2025, relocating its programming to others parts of the city.
"We are looking at this very much as an opportunity to explore new venues, explore new areas of Greater New Bedford in the SouthCoast and get deeper into the neighborhoods," said Rosemary Gill, president and CEO.
According to Gill, they are bringing their programming on the road by presenting educational school performances at UMass Dartmouth and New Bedford High School auditoriums as well as various other locations in the Greater New Bedford area such as the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, Kilburn Mill and through partnership with the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament and Madeira Field.
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According to a previous Standard-Times article, the transformative $31 million renovation project will not only create additional space — including the "Speakeasy" section for smaller, more intimate performances — it will signal its presence with a new majestic marquee.
"We're particularly targeting the older population that transportation might be a factor for them, especially in the evening," Gill said. "So by bringing it to them, we hope to expose them to new things like for example ukulele, improvisational jazz, salsa dancing."
Additionally, they are exploring the opportunity to offer internships, shadowing and tours to university students when at the high school or college campuses. "We're exploring ways that perhaps university students could get involved and get some exposure to kind of be part of production and programming and bringing a show to life," she said.
The Zeiterion box office will relocate to the DeMello building
Gill said she hopes the programming they are piloting will extend beyond just this year. "This is an opportunity to see what more we can do, so it may become an 'and' to things we normally do," Gill said.
Meanwhile, choosing the right venue for programming has been tough. For example, New Bedford High School's venue does not allow concessions such as alcohol or food.
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"Our patrons are kind of accustomed to being able to grab a drink while they're watching the show," Gill added. "We're weighing those options where we have the most amount of seats, and the most potential for revenue to help offset expenses, with the fact that we can't have a bar, is where things start to get tricky."
Additionally, there are expenses of bringing everything on the road such as storing production equipment, then trucking it separately to each of these venues as well as the normal infrastructure such as box office, computers and point of sale stations.
Aside from being able to purchase tickets online or on the phone, The Zeiterion will be relocating their in-person box office to the lobby of the Demello International Center on Union Street, a few days a week.
New Bedford Festival Theatre to take a hiatus
Preparing for their final musical of the season on July 21, executive producer Wendy Hall said they explored various options to produce a musical off-site. Instead, they decided that due to cost factors and the need for infrastructure, New Bedford Festival Theatre would have to take a break from doing any big musical productions until The Zeiterion completed its renovations.
"We have to have a completely occupied space for four weeks. We need dressing rooms, green rooms, tech rooms, costume shops, scene shops, these are all things that we have at The Z, at our home, that aren't at other places here," Hall said. "Our production value is so important to me. And I would never ever lessen our production value because we were in a different space. We number one give the best show possible."
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They are still planning to perform shows out in the community and have their own shows which companies can bring in for entertainment for special events, and they will continue their master classes and other educational components.
"A year off from producing a musical but definitely not a year off from being in the community," she said, adding they are instead looking into smaller events such as ensembles and concertized versions of musicals or staged readings.
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra relocates to the High School
As a resident company of The Z, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) has been fully engaged in the planning, design and fundraising efforts for the Zeitertion's renovation project. According to President and CEO Dave Prentiss, the benefits it will bring concertgoers nothing less than spectacular.
"Our whole community and region will be enriched by the improvements and new capacities the renovation will bring," he said.
In the meantime, the Bronspiegel Auditorium at New Bedford High School will be the backdrop for their 2023-2024 season. The venue has all the needs for a wonderful concert experience including comfortable, assigned seating, ample and convenient parking and a completed acoustical makeover.
NBSO will also conduct a one-year educational and community residency at the high school, which will include a full range of new programmatic connections and engagement between the music director, musicians, and staff and the students and teachers of New Bedford High School.
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"We will have several side-by-side performances, masterclasses and sectional and chamber music coaching opportunities for students, as well as offering stage, drama, music and art students the chance to work with us behind the scenes on production, promotion and special events and programs," Prentiss said.
In addition, NBSO plans to will hold events and programs specifically designed for students, their families and the high school staff members.
"All of this is a natural progression of the strong ties and ongoing partnership we have with the New Bedford Public School district. Together we will take full advantage of the special opportunity next season provides to make more music and serve the youth and families of the city we call home," Prentiss added.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
