From early on, I was always the guy in charge it seems, taking care of my teammates, my brothers and sisters, and my co-workers. The first born son of a Boston schoolteacher from Southie, my Dad sent me to work at the age of 12 and I never looked back. I loved clocking in like a real working man, running my ice cream stand and making people smile, as I handed them a double scoop of their favorite dessert. Everyone appreciated my hard work. It was a simple transaction, repeated day after day, all summer long. Since then, I’ve never stopped hustling and working, busting my butt, trying to make my customers happy.
But all these years since, the idea of running my own company burned inside. I really wanted to take care of my customers and employees the way I wanted to… instead of how some corporate big shot told me how to do it. And of course, like lots of folks, I probably watched a little too much Shark Tank.
In college at the University of Massachusetts, I got my first taste of being an entrepreneur, as I bought and sold sports memorabilia to customers all over the country. I worked out of my tiny apartment on the outskirts of Amherst, MA, doing a healthy mail order business, and I traveled to sports card shows all over New England, setting up my display cases and wheeling and dealing Michael Jordan and Larry Bird rookie cards. Man, I loved running my own business!
After college, I worked for some of the biggest private facility management firms in the business, excelling everywhere I went, but that entrepreneurial spirit just wouldn’t go away. I wanted to control my own destiny in life. So, I did what most people dream of doing, but never do. I left my cushy job paying $160,000 a year and started my own company. Whoa! Was I nuts or what?
Well, apparently not. My gut instincts on how to make my customers happy, how to take care of my key employees, and my expertise on how to turn around struggling theaters has paid off big time. Arts Center Management is off and running and proving even the “little guys” can stand out in a crowd if they work hard enough.
Hey Dad, wherever you are, thanks for pushing me to be the best.
— Kevin Barrett, Founder and CEO, Arts Center Management (ACM)
OUR
HISTORY
YOUR
STORY
In 2014, Barrett launched his own multi-platform theater management, consulting and production company to help smaller venues improve their operations and programming. He realized there was a great opportunity in the marketplace to help smaller venues improve their bottom lines, at a price they can afford. This area was being ignored by the bigger companies.
Sadly over the years, we had watched smaller theaters and arts organizations go out of business due to mismanagement, lack of marketing focus, and programming mistakes. With no place to turn when things went bad, these groups often went bankrupt.
Our #1 goal at ACM is to help these smaller organizations before this happens. We have a soft spot for the underdog. We love to help the ‘little guy” and we love a good turnaround story.
This is why we started Arts Center Management (ACM).
Every year, every season, we see theaters around the country that are struggling to remain financially solvent. The smaller ones typically do not have the funds to hire a big private management firm to help them get out of trouble. That’s why we started Arts Center Management (ACM). To help those smaller venues get back on track and share our vast theater management experience. All for an affordable price.
Theaters typically get into trouble due to poor financial oversight, bad programming decisions, mediocre marketing and sales strategies and incorrect ticket pricing. Picking the wrong shows and pricing them incorrectly can spell disaster for a theater. How do you know what’s the right show? The right ticket prices?
There is no substitute for experience.
Arts Center Management (ACM) has it, and we’re ready to help you. Call us today and we’ll get to work.
“TEAM WORK
MAKES THE DREAM
WORK”
THE DREAM TEAM
You’re only as good as the people who work for you.
– Kevin Barrett –
( CEO )
This is me. Company Manager by day. Husband and Father by night.
For me, there is no ‘I’ in Team.
Finding the right people to help manage your theater is the most important decision you will ever make. Here at ACM, we have 27 years of hiring experience, and we will pick the best people to help you.
SUCCESSFUL SHOWS
CUPS OF COFFEE
YEARS EXPERIENCE
The Admin
TEAM
Bridget Callinan is a dynamic and ambitious creative marketing and communications professional, with a proven track record of developing and managing strategic marketing campaigns and building and reinforcing brand image for arts and entertainment venues throughout South Florida. She has successfully marketed nearly 1000 events in her career to date and has proven successful in achieving revenue goals through strategic marketing, advertising and brand development efforts by pushing the creative bounds of traditional promotion to establish elite and award-winning creative standards that support brand identity, voice, and environment.
Our Lead Designer, known simply as “Zoran,” is one of the most talented graphic artists in Florida. He specializes in theater ad work and helps bring our shows to life! We’re keeping his identity top secret, so no one will steal him away!
Carol Kassie (Public Relations) holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Sir George Williams University (Concordia) in Montreal, Canada. She currently handles marketing, public relations, and audience growth for a number of local and national theatres and theatre companies, theatrical productions, actors, authors, musicians, and other creatives. Sign up to receive her Theatrical Update emails at www.CarolKassie.com
Our Box Office Representative, Eszter Gyarfas, came straight from Europe to be apart of the ACM family. Born in raised in Hungary, she graduated from West Hungarian University where she received her bachelor’s degree in both teaching and event coordinating. Eszter moved to South Florida in 2019 to continue working in theatre, an industry she really admires due to the creative freedom and self-expression it brings.
Jessie Dez is a graduate from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree, with concentrations in Musical Theater and Broadcast Journalism. As an actress, she has performed all over South Florida with well-known companies. Not only have you seen her on stage, but on television as well. As a television host for Living Local FL TV, Jessie has been on FOX 29 highlighting all the best places to eat, shop and play in South Florida.
Ben Witte is an extremely talented ticketing wizard, and may be the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He also has a gift for creating marketing videos and sizzle reels for any event. Whether your theater needs a new ticketing system or just needs to improve its current operation, Ben can make recommendations to increase sales and upgrade service to get you back on track.
Tyler Smith is a recent FAU graduate who loves spending his free time writing and producing music. He grew up in the South Florida area, and is a huge fan of the beach and anything nature related. His favorite place that he’s traveled so far is Colorado, and he’s the proud owner of 2 cats.
Patricia Wakely Wolf has been produced and featured at Manhattan Theatre Club, Group Repertory Theatre, Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage, One-Minute Play Festival, and Pinky Swear Productions, DC. She is also a member of The Dramatists Guild, South Florida Theatre League, Palm Beach Writers Group, and Stage 32. And, she is a Board Member for Shakespeare Troupe Inc. and the Foundation for Women’s Cultural and Economic Literacy.
Bridget Callinan
Marketing Director
Zoran The Great
Graphic Designer
Carol Kassie
Public Relations
Eszter Gyarfas
Box Office Representative
Jessie Dez
Communication & Education Director
Ben Witte
Director of Ticketing
Tyler Smith
Box Office Coordinator
Patricia Wakely Wolf
House Manager
The Creative
TEAM
As a director, Michael Ursua has led multiple regional and local productions to success including such shows as “Sister Act”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, and “Peter Pan”. He has served as Musical Director and conductor for numerous national tours, local and regional productions working with talents the likes of Lee Roy Reams, Sally Struthers, Andrea McArdle and Leslie Uggams. Michael is also an actor with an extensive list of stage credits including roles in such shows as “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, “La Cage aux Folles” and “The Secret Garden”. Michael is the creator, producer and host of the wildly popular “Florida Sings Showtunes”, an online entertainment that was designed to support local musical theatre artists during the pandemic. He has received a Silver Palm Award for his contributions to the South Florida theatrical community and is the recipient of 3 Carbonell nominations. Michael is also the Artistic Director of the Broadway Series at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.
With a lifelong fascination for theatre and the arts, Christian Taylor’s journey into the world of production began early on. From his formative years, Christian honed his skills and discovered a fervor for the technical intricacies of show production, landing him a position as Shop Manager and Assistant Technical Director at Broward College. His expertise in Lighting and Audio, coupled with a commitment to continuous learning, made him an invaluable asset as Lauderhill Performing Arts Center Technical Director. Christian is thrilled to embark on a new chapter with the ACM team as its Production Manager and looks forward to building with the ACM family. He extends his deepest thanks to Angela for the unwavering support and encouragement.
Stevie Bleich graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Technology, specializing in lighting. She has experience working behind the scenes as a lighting designer, lighting assistant, board operator and more for numerous theaters in the South Florida region! Her expertise extends beyond the technical aspects, as she brings creativity and innovation to every project she undertakes using her versatile skillset.
Jeremy Quinn came home to South Florida after working in NYC for 22 years as a director, actor, producer and theatrical consultant. Directing, acting and producing credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional Theatre, Film, Television and Voice-Overs.
Rachel Jones earned a music degree from Elon University, she has worked in and around the performing arts for decades. As a performer, she has worked with The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol, Athens Theatre, CFCArts, BARCLAY Performing Arts, Ben Folds and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon, and much more. She excels in a variety of administrative, marketing, and leadership positions.
Richard Forbes studied Theater at Tallahassee Community College and Broward College. Richard also serves in other Community partners committee/ planning teams; Caribbean Equlity Project and Hotspots Magazines Entertainment Group(Pride Fete) Wilton Manors Florida. Richard is grateful to have completed two Broadway Series at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. He is also grateful for the opportunity and would like to personally and sincerely thank Kevin Barrett and Christian Taylor
Elizabeth Guerra is a theatre artist based in South Florida, originally from Havana, Cuba. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Spanish Literature from Florida State University, where she focused on performance, directing, and writing. She has trained and worked as a theatre artist in Florida, New York City, and London, where she earned a Stage Combat certification from the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. She is dedicated to bringing high-quality theatre to South Florida, aiming to enrich the local cultural landscape and engage the community through powerful and high-quality performances. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has built a diverse portfolio as a performer, educator, director, and production manager.
Lowell Richard has been involved in the entertainment industry since the late 1970’s. Lowell earned his MFA in Lighting Design from the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) and was awarded the Roy and Edna Disney Foundation Scholarship to serve as Technical Director for the Cal Arts Dance Department. He has worked in South Florida as well as Los Angeles, California and has won numerous awards for his work in Lighting Design. Some of his credits include: Conga and Let It Loose World Tours – Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Grease, The Miracle Worker, The Magic Flute, Pippin, and many more.
Michael Urusa
Artistic Director
Christian Taylor
Production Manager
Stevie Bleich
Lighting Designer
Elizabeth Guerra
Assistant Production Manager
Jeremy Quinn
Artistic Director
Rachel Jones
Audition Manager
Richard Forbes
Tech Director (LPAC)
Lowell Richard
Lighting Designer (LPAC)
Find Us: 8999 NW 49th Place
LET'S WORK
ACM can turn your theater vision into reality. We love a good turnaround story and that’s why we created this company. To help cities and non-profits reinvent their theaters and be successful. ACM wants your theater to be successful. Our pricing is very competitive and incentive-driven to ensure you are not going to break the bank by hiring a third party to help you manage your venue.