VeniceTheatre
July
1, 2008
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [not for
release] Laurie Colton, 941-484-0233
As local theatre
continues to grow, its name gets shorter
By unanimous vote, the board of directors of Venice
Little Theatre has decided to change the 58-year-old organization’s name to
Venice Theatre. Venice Theatre is the third-largest community theatre in the
In November, 2007, Knight Marketing began conducting a
study for the theatre that resulted in a number of findings. None was more
significant than a belief among theatre-goers - and the general public - that
the name Venice Little Theatre did not accurately describe the organization.
Long-time Artistic Director, Murray Chase, has led the
theatre for 12 years through a period of substantial growth in all areas of
operation. Production schedules, educational programming, budget size, awards
won, number of subscribers and number of paid staff have all increased under his
tenure. “We’ve been discussing a change for almost 10 years to better represent
who we are. In the end, the simplest solution became the best solution: to
get the ‘little’ out. We’re still the same theatre; nothing else has
changed. I’m excited about it”, explains Chase.
The theatre began informing volunteers and donors about
the change last week. According to Advancement Director Duwain Hunt the response
has been overwhelmingly positive. “This was not a surprise”, Hunt says. “Our
supporters are proud of their theatre and what it has become.” The name-change
from Venice Little Theatre to Venice Theatre will take effect immediately. A new
logo and other branding elements will be unveiled before the 2008-2009 Season
begins in August.
Laurie
Colton
Marketing
Director
941-484-4033, x
221