The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center reported breaking even for the first time during the last Shippensburg University Council of Trustees meeting since its inception.
Kimberly Garris, chief external relations officer of the council of trustees, delivered the report during the meeting on Jan. 31.
“The Luhrs Center reported a profit last year, the first time in its 12-year history,” Garris said.
Garris explained that Luhrs increased the number and variety of shows. Luhrs also collaborated with the Activities Program Board (APB) to bring Bazzi and Bryce Vine show to the Luhrs stage. APB previously held its concerts in Heiges Field House.
“It’s not ready-made for a concert,” said Mark Bodenhorn, director of communications and marketing for Luhrs. “And Vickie has worked really hard to work closely with the students to present the Luhrs Center as more of a student-friendly location.”
“We’ve traditionally marketed to a core age group of 35-64,” Bodenhorn said. “It is definitely moving younger. We’d love to see more students coming to our shows, and along with that, obviously we need to program so it appeals to students.”
Bodenhorn said Luhrs runs under a different business model now. As opposed to basing Luhrs shows around a season, the Luhrs center is now free to schedule events as they come up. This gives it a lot more flexibility and freedom in scheduling events.
Vickie Hubbard, director of the Luhrs Center, said Luhrs has a much more robust roster of shows.
“We want to keep the tried and true, but we also want to experiment,” Hubbard said. “Classic rock, comedy and country do very well here.”
Almost a week after the announcement, the Luhrs Center announced on Friday that “NEEDTOBREATHE” will be coming to Shippensburg on May 5.
Tickets will be available online at luhrscenter.com this Friday, Feb. 15.
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