The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to Megan Harvey, Development Manager of Individual Giving and Producer’s representative for the Millennial Theatre Project of the Akron Civic Theatre. Ms. Harvey has been with the Civic Theatre since 2018.
Ms. Harvey began her presentation providing information about the various venues that comprise the Akron Civic Theatre. These venues include the Civic, the Knight Stage, Wild Oscar’s at the Civic, the Goodyear Theater, and Affiliated Venues; the EJ Thomas, and the Lock 3 Outdoor Amphitheater. Click to view the presentation
Akron Civic Theatre History:
The theater was built in 1929 by Marcus Loew and designed by famed theater architect, John Eberson.
The interior structure was fashioned after a Moorish castle featuring Mediterranean décor, including medieval carvings, authentic European antiques, and Italian alabaster sculptures.
Among facilities of its size, the Civic is one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters in the country.
In June 2001 the Civic closed its door for a comprehensive $19 million plus restoration bringing the theater up to modern performance and patron standards and restoring its failing 70-year-old infrastructure. The Civic reopened in November 2002. The Civic continues to be a tremendous asset to Northeast Ohio!
Akron Rocks!
• The center-point of a market of 1.2 million individuals within a 25-mile radius of downtown Akron – and 3.9 million within a 50-mile radius.
• Akron offers the right venues for the right shows at the right time.
• Hosting 300+ events a year across six performance venues.
Civic Theatre Competitive Advantages:
Efficient and Effective Marketing Support
• Robust/consistent social media and e-mail marketing programs
o 132,000 + combined social media followers
o 95,000 + e-email subscribers
• Excellent local and regional media relationships
Akron Civic Theatre Fast Facts:
• 314 events in FY22 across four venues
• Attendance of 127,99 + in FY22
• 50 + community partners
• 166 events produced or presented by the Civic staff
• 3 community-based theater projects (MTP, BOOM!, All-City) & Arts Inclusion Incubator
• 8.1 million people reached annually on social media
• Operating budget growth to $7.7 million
Social Media Impact = Say It Loud:
• People Reached = 459,093
• Post Engagements = 16,629
• Post Likes = 2049
• Post Shares = 1678
• Comments = 111
Development Overview:
• FY22 best fundraising year in theater history
• Revenue increases across the board (FY18 vs. FY22):
o Individual giving up 66%
o Foundation + government support up 48%
o Corporate support up 46%
o Gala revenue highest ever in FY21, second highest in FY22
To learn more about the Akron Civic Theatre and the various venue offerings, check out their website at www.akroncivic.com
Yours in Service,
Terry Dalton
Akron Club Secretary and Scholarship Chair
