Born with “absolutely zero performing genes,” Catherine Hughes didn’t allow her “disability” to deter her from the theater. Although the lawyer’s only involvement in the performing arts is as an “extremely appreciative spectator,” she’s contributed more to Arkansas Repertory Theatre audiences as the chairman of its board of directors than she could have as a star thespian.
Charged with ensuring the board does all it can to support the theater, Hughes’ duties often involve fundraising, which The Rep has done well recently. Renovations took the actors’ housing from being one of the most dreaded facilities of its kind nationwide to one of the highest regarded, and as a result The Rep’s New York City auditions went from drawing about 500 applications to about 5,000. The larger talent pool continues to bring higher quality professionals to The Rep’s stage, production after production. Hughes just sits back and takes it all in, not having to recite a single line.
Consider her chairmanship the legal equivalent of a loophole around her acting ability. Such clever tactics have helped Hughes throughout her law career, which began in the Arkansas Attorney General’s office during Bill Clinton’s tenure. From there, she was recruited to the Rose Law Firm, where one of her proudest, most out-of-the-ordinary accomplishments was discovering a violation of an inmate’s double-jeopardy rights, which made him a free man after 20 years in prison.
Her expertise, though, was in representing public companies in Arkansas. Hughes was a part of the going-public process for a small Conway firm that became known as Acxiom, and eventually she was invited by its founder to be in-house counsel. Today, as the corporate governance officer and secretary, she ensures the company complies with the rules and regulations of the Security & Exchange Commission and the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
It’s a busy job that keeps her tethered to her Blackberry, longing for the occasional long weekend at Elixir Farm, her family’s getaway deep in the Missouri Ozarks where there’s no cell phone reception. “I make bread every time we’re there, something I never seem to have time to do at home in Little Rock.” She’s so short on time raising her twin 15-year-old daughters with husband Ron that she’s mastered reading while on the treadmill or elliptical to knock out two hobbies as efficiently as possible.
Her multitasking abilities couldn’t be put to better use at The Rep, which is entering the last phase of a $6 million capital campaign while still going about normal fundraising to support its $3 million annual budget, only about half of which comes from ticket sales. Next fall, patrons will enjoy renovated public spaces throughout the theater.
The forecast looks good for The Rep. It kicks off its final year of the campaign with the Saints & Sinners Ball, its premier fundraising event. This year’s theme is Guys & Dolls, and like years past, it promises no stuffy speeches or boring programs but instead high-quality entertainment from a professional theater company. Drinks, dinner and dancing are on the agenda, along with a short, original production followed by a live auction. Items include a walk-on role in a Rep production, a New York trip to observe Rep auditions and a trip to the 2011 Tony Awards and an after-party.
And as for ticket sales, The Rep has defied the national trend and increased sales for season subscriptions. Even single-ticket sales are strong, despite the difficult economy. “I must say, I was a little nervous when I first learned that Hamlet was in the lineup of shows for this season. It conjured up images of darkness and long, self-indulgent soliloquies and, even worse, low ticket sales.” Instead ticket sales far exceeded The Rep’s projections—the last several performances were completely sold out. Expert direction by Producing Artistic Director Bob Hupp combined with beautiful acting from Arkansas native Avery Clark, who played the lead, resulted in a show that engaged and impressed even Hughes. Good thing, because she’s an ambassador of The Rep everywhere she goes, and Hughes can’t act.
Resolution Acts
Do you make New Year’s resolutions, and if so, what are they this year?
Yes, but only ones that I feel pretty confident I can keep. My resolutions for 2011 are to be a better listener (especially where my 15-year-old daughters are concerned) and to drink champagne more often. [I’m] not sure I should try to do these two things at exactly the same time, but who knows, the combination could have amazing results!
If you had to pick one upcoming show that you can’t wait to see, which would it be?
I think it would be The 39 Steps. Four actors play more than 150 characters, and the people I know who have been to this show in New York say it’s one of the funniest things they’ve ever seen!
2011 Saints & Sinners Ball
6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29
Statehouse Convention Center
Tickets: $300 per person, $1,000 per preferred seating patron couple, $3,000 for a regular table of 10 and $4,000 for a preferred seating patron table of 10.
For more information, contact The Rep at 501-378-0445 or TheRep.org
Notes on the Rep
• There are, on average, 215 performances a year, which translates into 55,000 60,000 tickets being purchased.
• The rehearsal time for each show, regardless of size, is 22 days.
• You’d have to travel more than 300 miles to find another theater comparable in size and scope.
• The orchestra sits two floors above stage for most musical productions.
• Video monitors allow the actors and the musical director to see each other, and the music is piped in, allowing for a larger orchestra and better balance between music and actors’ voices.