Photo by Tim Barden.
I visited with the Cennarium Backstage editorial staff recently
to brainstorm story ideas. We covered much ground: worldwide
performance arts festivals; new plays Off-Broadway and at
US regional theaters; the state of European ballet. But one
thing, it seemed, was missing: a story on technology. After
all, it’s the power of technology that makes Cennarium such
a transformational tool for the performing arts. So I posed a
question to everyone: Is there any company out there not only
embracing the potential of technology to distribute performing
arts programming but is also using technology to fundamentally
drive their business? Themis Gomes, Cennarium’s executive
director, gave me two words: Timothy Barden.
In the performing arts, artists and
administrators are often the same folks—
folks who expect to wear different hats.
This describes Barden perfectly: he’s an
actor, singer, director, teacher and master
photographer with years in the business. He
also has significant experience in marketing,
A joint VTMTA / A Class Act New York master class
with Broadway Star Andrew Chappelle (Hamilton).
financial management, banking and
government—and he’s positively evangelical
about arts and technology. Based in South
Burlington, Vermont, Barden is the managing
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In Rural Vermont,
Technology Drives
Performing Arts director of Spotlight Vermont, a performing
BY LEONARD JACOBS
Cennarium.com
Photo by Tim Barden.
Night at City Center headliner Kerstin Anderson -
National Tour of The Sound of Music (Maria) and
South Burlington High School graduate.
arts school with deep ties to the worlds of The performing arts facility that Barden and
professional theater and dance; guest faculty various South Burlington officials are raising
members have included Tony-winner Cady money for and planning will place technology
Huffman and the Martha Graham Dance front and center.
Company. He’s also co-founder of the Vermont
Musical Theatre Academy, which trains “triple- All the usual rationales for local government
threats” for successful careers in the industry. to invest in arts and culture are ever-present
in SBCCArts, such as economic development,
But Barden also serves as executive director of community building, creative placemaking
a new, fast-rising enterprise called the South and education. But, as Barden told me in
Burlington City Center for the Arts (SBCCArts). this following inte rview, it’s the unparalleled
Once built, it will be an integral part of a plan potential of technology that is igniting
to revitalize South Burlington’s downtown. everybody’s interest most of all.
#cennariumbackstage
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