Arts and Social Media.

Andrew Adler featured yours truly in his latest Courier Journal article. Now you all know who is the main blogger for Kentucky Opera. I do have a few others that contribute, and I am always open to more. Lets give a shout out to the Wagnarian and Holly the Pirates of Penzance costume designer.

One element to the whole social media/ PR world that wasn't addressed in Andrew's story - with my social media activities, I don't have the third party endorsement that increases value. So it's not just about what I write and post, its also trying to get others to write and post about the opera too.

Finding the right blogger is a challenge. There isn't a yellow pages directory of bloggers in your area broken down by beats. Google blog search is pretty good, and really the only resource to find the right writer. While it would be great if Brian Dickie, blogger for Chicago Opera Theatre, it is doubtful that a Kentucky Opera mention on his blog would actually result in a ticket sale. So area is important.


Pitching to a blogger is very similar to pitching to traditional media reporters. You have to know their beat; I wouldn't ask Robin Garr to write a story about Howard Kaplan, the costume designer extraordinaire who the opera brings in at least once a year. Garr is a food guy and that is his beat. So, I wouldn't ask Jason Falls to write about the music of La Traviata because he writes solely about social media. Jason may however reference Andrew's article and the opera may get a reference from that.





It helps to know the bloggers off line. When I found Consuming Louisville, I was able to connect with the talented Michelle Jones (who writes about everything Louisville) at one of the Social Media Club of Louisville meetings and after taking her to lunch, I learned how she prefers to be approached for stories.



Just like how the Opera is striving for personal connections with its audience through the various receptions, connecting through social media has given us another layer to interact. I have really enjoyed developing the social media component to our marketing strategies and I am sure that the future will bring more interesting and creative ways to mingle with opera audiences.

Leave your comments, we love comments!

From the Pirates Costume Designer part 3

The summer build for Pirates of Penzance is winding down. The day after Labor Day we will be greeting three of the Studio Artists with costume fittings on their first day in residence. I hope they are ready for us. The it's time to pack it up and get out of the way because Otello is coming!

It's been an incredibly productive summer session. Dresses, nightgowns, mob caps, Pirate gear, children's costumes and even 3 parasols have come out of the costume shop this summer. The Our pattern maker Margaret Fenske and our milliner Shari Cochran will proceed through September without us, and we will see hats and principal costumes in October. I can't wait!

Photo: Hats in progress by Shari Cichran.

Posted by Holly

From the Pirates Costume Designer

PART 2
We have entered the final third of the summer build. Where did June and July go? However, a grand milestone has been achieved. The last mockup for the chorus ladies was fit last Wednesday! And we fit the last chorus gent for the summer. Plus a had a very productive second fitting with Natalie Krupansky, our Ruth. She was a sweetheart and drove in from Lexington just for us. As ever, Margaret’s patterns were right on, and the stitching was super. A few minor adjustments, and we will see Natalie in October for a final check and to fit some boots. Now it’s on to finish assembling the children’s costumes, which we will fit again in October when we are closer to performance and the children will have grown all they are going to before Opening Night.

Posted by Holly

A note from Heather: I did take some video of this fitting (it was all proper and G rated) and as soon as I can work out some editing details, I will post the video here.

From the Pirates Costume Designer

Introducing the Kentucky Opera Costume Shop Crew: Josette Miles, head of Costume Department. Mary Vessels, KOA stitcher. Donna Ensor and Nancy, stitchers , usually at Louisville Ballet. Margaret Fenske, Cutter/Draper from Actor's Theatre of Louisville Staff. Shari Cochran, Milliner, also ATL staff.

July 17, 2008. We hit the midway point in the summer build of Pirates. So much is done, so much more to do! Donna and Nancy, stitchers extraordinaire on loan from the Louisville Ballet, are really moving through the chorus' bodices. Mary is on vacation, and we await her return. Today was another action filled day for Josette and I. We cut 2 bodices and belts completely out, did 3 fittings on 5 costumes, and ordered supplies. Jennifer and Johnny Warren came in from Bardstown. She looked adorable in her bicycling bloomers, and he fits into his Bobby Uniform and Pirate ensembles quite well, just a kerchief and a baldric to be found. Margaret was in for the fittings and will be back Monday for the start of Phase 2: the Children's Fittings. We just keep moving forward. No backward steps allowed!

Posted by Holly

Behind the Scenes: Costume Shop

We are starting to get the hang of this whole blog thing.
Check out this fun behind the scenes You Tube slide show!



Costume design by Holly Jenkins Evans

Posted by Heather