SCHENECTADY Proctors changes coming fast Venue adds new features, takes on partners BY SARA FOSS Gazette Reporter
It can be difficult to keep up with the changes at Proctors. Last month the Schenectady theater and arts venue announced a new partnership with Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany and its plans to take over the in-house coffee shop run by the Muddy Cup and unveiled its elegant new banquet hall, Key Hall. In recent years, Proctors has ann o u n c e d n e w partnerships and features with stunning regularity. In 2003, the theater embarked on an ambitious $30 million expansion that tripled the size of its stage and allowed Proctors to accommodate touring Broadway shows. In 2007, Proctors completed renovations to the former Carl Company on State Street, adding the 434-seat GE Theatre, new conference spaces and offices and a new box offi ce. Three years ago, Proctors became the winter home of the Schenectady Greenmarket, the city’s farmers market, and this year it assumed management of Schenectady’s public access TV station under the subsidiary Open Stage Media. Philip Morris, Proctors CEO, said that he views Proctors as an “engine for downtown” and used the Japanese word “kaizen,” which means continuous, incremental improvement, to describe the Proctors approach. “We’ve got to deal with tomorrow, we’ve got to deal with today, but what else could we be doing?” Morris said. Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen said that when he gives tours of downtown Schenectady to investors, Proctors is the first place he brings them. “Proctors has become a major force for downtown,” he said. “It touches so many parts of the community. It’s a showpiece.” Back in the day, Proctors hosted between 60 and 70 events a year, Gillen said. Now there are events in Proctors almost every night of the week. DOWNTOWN ANCHOR Gillen said Proctors has helped anchor a growing downtown that in recent years has seen a Bow-Tie Cinema open on State Street, a new YMCA open in the Center City complex, and new restaurants, such as Bombers Burrito Bar, open their doors. The Schenectady Light Opera Company plans to establish a performing arts center downtown and has launched a $1.2 million capital campaign for the project. “In 2004, Proctors was surrounded by blight,” Gillen recalled. About a month ago, Proctors adopted a new strategic plan, which describes Proctors’ purpose and vision for the future. The plan makes it clear that Proctors is much more than a theater, describing it as a “multi-media, multivenue arts and education center,” a “catalyst for economic development” and “a leader in Schenectady and the Greater Capital Region.” Morris said that Proctors has always highlighted importance of arts and education, but the strategic plan places a greater emphasis on civic engagement than ever before. The document outlines Proctors’ goals for the community, which include an improved quality of life, civic pride, national prominence, economic development and job growth and broad access to the arts, “regardless of means.” Other goals include hosting a conference on the impacts of reduced budgets on arts programs and advocating for the creation of a graduate program for music or theater in the Capital Region. ........................>>>>................>>>>...........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00101&AppName=1
In my personal experience, in the past I would bypass downtown Schdy, using 890 rather than driving through downtown. I would only go to downtown when I had no choice. While investigating the Greenmarket, and while attending a show at Proctors, I 'discovered' much of what downtown has to offer. I now shop "Jay Street", Bombers, Villia Italia, etc, that I never would have 'discovered' with out the Proctors/Greenmarke draw to the area.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
In my personal experience, in the past I would bypass downtown Schdy, using 890 rather than driving through downtown. I would only go to downtown when I had no choice. While investigating the Greenmarket, and while attending a show at Proctors, I 'discovered' much of what downtown has to offer. I now shop "Jay Street", Bombers, Villia Italia, etc, that I never would have 'discovered' with out the Proctors/Greenmarke draw to the area.
although a 'greenmarket' is a nice title....it's not much more than an expensive yuppy market....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Interesting that 60% of Proctors patrons are not from Schenectady. Who heard about the free Superbowl party?! What, was that attended by Gillen, Savage, Morris and their political friends?
Job growth? Many are volunteers.
Access to the arts 'regardless of means'? At $150 per ticket?
When the Gazetto tries to rally the City to praise Proctors and the Plex....well it's just pathetic. No amount of fluff and fantasy will overshadow the truth that Proctors is perpetuating a giant black hole of debt for all the City taxpayers.
PS: OSM will never get money from Glenville. People are going to Skype it, You Tube it and play a DVD to the senior Center. Even Glenville knows that $12,000 of their taxpayer money will never go to Procotrs. Next!
although a 'greenmarket' is a nice title....it's not much more than an expensive yuppy market....
If the Greenmarket IS just an expensive yuppy market.... then yuppies with lots of cash are coming to down town Schdy to spend their money... Isn't that the point???
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
If the Greenmarket IS just an expensive yuppy market.... then yuppies with lots of cash are coming to down town Schdy to spend their money... Isn't that the point???
they aren't stupid....and what yuppies are coming to Schenectady from Saratoga/Guilderland etc.......It's a nice idea but what business is expanding? GE?
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Try a Yiddish word "dreck". That sums up this "news story" and the pathetic Mercury Morris/Death Ray influence.
Proctor's is surrounded by tax exempt mooches that drain the life out of the oppressed taxpayers. Where's your PILOT Morris? Another puff piece for socialism gone awry.
Yuppies aren't coming to Schenectady, they're going to the Honest Weight Co-op. At least there you know your money isn't padding the pockets of an entity like Proctors, but it's going to the people who invest in the Co-op.
If Proctors was the true non-profit they claim to be, they wouldn't be charging farmers to have a table at the Greenmarket. But now, Proctor's really isn't much concerned about helping farmers as much as it is making a profit off them.
Yuppies aren't coming to Schenectady, they're going to the Honest Weight Co-op. At least there you know your money isn't padding the pockets of an entity like Proctors, but it's going to the people who invest in the Co-op.
If Proctors was the true non-profit they claim to be, they wouldn't be charging farmers to have a table at the Greenmarket. But now, Proctor's really isn't much concerned about helping farmers as much as it is making a profit off them.
All area farmers markets that I know of, charge farmers a fee to setting up a table to sell their produce. It helps pay expenses and advertising for the farmers market.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
What expenses???? Proctors is a non-profit? They already get money from the taxpayers, now they get more from the farmers?
Do the math, $75 a table going for what advertising? It's mostly under the non-profit heading...tax exempt? Where do you think this money is going? Not to the farmers and not to the taxpayers.
Rachel, once again, you show your ignorance. How do you know who comes to the greenmarket? are u there taking a survey? Please, reading your posts hurt my eyes they are so stupid.. I think my brain is bleeding from reading your dumb-a** posts. Maybe you should come out of your cave once in a while and see some sunlight. It would do wonders for your complexion.
You know, I'm surprised you can read.... with your blood-shot eyes and all. Maybe you should stick to reading the Gazetto...they have all the 'facts' you want and all the fluff your little brain can handle.
You know, I'm surprised you can read.... with your blood-shot eyes and all. Maybe you should stick to reading the Gazetto...they have all the 'facts' you want and all the fluff your little brain can handle.
Rachel72, you have posted nothing but facts. You have done the homework and the footwork to present your facts. Job well done!!!
Folks like 'smoking' needs to offer the 'counter facts' in order to be considered credible.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Logged
Try a Yiddish word "dreck". That sums up this "news story" and the pathetic Mercury Morris/Death Ray influence. 
