#47 - Shape-Shifting Stages: Inside the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

What does it take to run a venue that can literally change shape?In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with Jeff Thielke, Executive Director of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, a one-of-a-kind Southern California venue with multiple configurations, a million pounds of moving infrastructure, and a history that includes everyone from Frank Sinatra to John Legend.Episode Time Stamps:(04:02) Inside Cerritos’ Shape-Shifting, Multi-Configuration VenueHistory of the building, how long it takes to reconfigure, what it costs in labor, and how that impacts booking patterns and Broadway tours.(09:47) Is the Design a Blessing or a Headache? Proms, Flexibility & EconomicsJeff weighs the operational costs against the flexibility for proms, special events, and different types of shows across the campus.(15:20) From Sinatra to Today: Legacy, Location & Audience ExperienceStories about Frank Sinatra opening the venue, other major artists, the intimate feel, and the perks of free parking and nearby amenities.(23:17) Programming Strategy: Concert-Heavy Mix, Partners & Co-ProsBreakdown of annual show volumes, music vs. Broadway, how co-promotion works, and why Cerritos shifted toward more collaboration with promoters.(32:03) Finding Prism: Fixing Calendars, Financials & a Complex BuildingHow Jeff moved from Google Calendar and spreadsheets to Prism, modeled each configuration as its own “stage,” and tightened up financial tracking.(40:11) What Insights Is & How It Changes Deal MakingMatt explains Prism Insights, and Jeff shares how real-time box office and streaming data help with ticket scaling, demand prediction, and negotiating offers.(46:01) City-Owned Venue Math: Taxpayers, Revenue Pillars & Events Like Mango FestJeff walks through Cerritos’ three main revenue streams, the economic development mission, and examples of events that drive people (and spending) into the city.(52:35) Industry Health, Data Sharing & Closing ReflectionsThey talk about artist fees, venue closures, using Insights to build sustainable deals and develop artists, and close with thoughts on Prism’s evolution and the venue–software relationship.Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism:Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)