BETHEL, NY (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Long-time performing arts programmer and senior manager Rudi Schlegel, having completed the 2008 Season’s contracted management project work, will be leaving his position as Senior Director of Programming at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York to pursue new career goals.
Looking to the future Schlegel stated that “It is my desire to now focus all my attention toward securing an executive leadership position with an arts institution that needs fresh, creative vision, operational vitality and prudent stewardship of human and financial resources.”
While serving with the Bethel Woods management team Schlegel had overall responsibility for programming and production and related operations on the 15,000 capacity Pavilion, 1,000 capacity Terrace Stage and 400 capacity Events Gallery. He was charged with managing artist relations, budget planning, artist communications, supervision of key talent buying and production staff, reports to the funding foundation, development of future activities and extending the organizational mission.
The 2008 Season, the third year of operation for Bethel Woods, was the most successful in the young organization’s existence including 16 Pavilion events, launch of the new Terrace Stage with 5 shows, the indoor Events Gallery with 6 concerts and several educational and community outreach activities. This year also marked the opening of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts dramatic new Museum dedicated to the history of the 1960’s era and the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Commenting on the season Schlegel said “The year was a great experience working with a remarkable, dedicated group of people actively engaged in creating a new arts and cultural destination. It was an honor and privilege to assist philanthropist Alan Gerry, his family, the Gerry Foundation, Granite Associates and the many sponsors, donors, membership friends and guests in the Sullivan County region of upstate New York with their commitment to a beautiful cultural campus. My sincere thanks go to Kevin Morrow and Jason Stone at Live Nation for their cooperation, business counsel and expertise.”
Prior to his project work at Bethel Woods, Rudi Schlegel held the position of Vice President for Presentations for 13 years at the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center’s Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – the largest arts organization in the Southeast – managing the legendary Chastain Park Amphitheater and Atlanta Symphony Hall. Schlegel was first General Manager of Fraze Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Kettering, Ohio (1991-1994) and served as Executive Director at Boston’s Great Woods Center for the Arts managing arts, cultural and education programs from 1987-1991. Currently Schlegel is Producer of a new symphonic program based upon the music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin and he is Pops Consultant for the Memphis Symphony. He has been project consultant to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, League of American Orchestras, Houston Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, National Symphony & the Library of Congress. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
