The Conversation: How a Cultural Anchor Continues to Serve the Community | Chad Lindsey, City Opera House

On this episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with Chad Lindsey, Executive Director of the City Opera House, to talk about stewardship, relevance, and what it really means to run a historic cultural anchor in a modern community. Support for this episode comes from TVC Cherry Capital Airport—your Northern Michigan connection. Chad shares how his background as a performer and arts administrator shaped his approach to leadership—and why the Opera House was never meant to be an elite arts space, but a place where the community gathers first. From balancing fine arts and popular programming to keeping ticket prices accessible for locals, Chad explains the constant tension between mission, sustainability, and relevance. The conversation also explores the unique challenges of maintaining a 130-year-old building, the realities of fundraising and preservation, and why live performance still matters in a distracted world—especially for kids experiencing the magic of the stage for the first time. It's a thoughtful look at how culture, place, and community intersect in downtown Traverse City—and what it takes to ensure a historic institution continues to serve the people who live here.