Tag Archive for: #markhopper

TownTalk: Mark Hopper Reflects On McGregor Hall’s Impact On Youth, Local Economy

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Mark Hopper, executive director at McGregor Hall, wears several hats – in addition to overseeing the venue and its operation, Hopper is equally at home in the orchestra pit, directing musicians during a performance and directing actors on stage during rehearsals.

But he said one of the most rewarding things he gets to see is the effect the theater has on young performers.

“It’s rewarding, watching them grow as actors and artists – and as human beings,” Hopper said on Monday’s TownTalk. “I see something new every single night that we rehearse – it’s very rewarding to watch them grow daily.”

“McGregor Hall Live” kicked off the 2023-24 season with a two-weekend run of “Ragtime: The Musical” and, by all reports, it was a glowing success.

And while Hopper said he’s grateful for the kind words of theater critics, he said he tries to keep things in balance.

“To get that validation is really rewarding for the cast,” Hopper said. More importantly, though, he said he tried to impress upon the actors and crew – many of whom live outside the Henderson area – “what a really big deal this is.”

The “this” Hopper’s referring to is the whole McGregor Hall entity, which has proven itself to be a venue that host high-quality performances as well as a providing a destination for numerous other performance competitions.  In short, McGregor Hall is fueling economic growth – all without financial support from either the city or county.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic impact study suggested that McGregor Hall drew about $3 million to the local area. Hopper said he’s confident that number will double when the current economic impact study numbers are released.

“I hope we continue the pattern of growth that we’ve had since COVID,” Hopper said, adding that after a year of being totally shut down with no live performances, McGregor Hall has had “a pretty remarkable rise from the ashes.”

He said that individuals have bought tickets from 209 different ZIP codes representing 21 states – people who are coming in to Henderson to spend money, eat in our restaurants and stay in our hotels, Hopper added. “If we stay on that arc, it’s going to be pretty exciting.”

Next up is a house-produced Christmas show in two parts, Hopper said. “We’re putting on a stage production ourselves…that features a lot of local and regional talent.” The first part is a shortened version of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol,” followed by a stage musical of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” complete with a live jazz trio.

Visit www.mcgregorhall.org to see the complete list of events scheduled.

 

 

TownTalk: Study Scheduled To Measure McGregor Hall’s Economic Impact

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An economic impact study conducted locally in 2019 showed that McGregor Hall brought in close to $3 million in direct revenue to the city and county – researchers conducting that study looked at receipts from restaurants, hotels and retail to come up with this figure, said Mark Hopper, McGregor Hall executive director.

Hopper said the downtown venue is a big tourism magnet that attracts people from across the state and the Southeast to attend performances, competitions and more. By late summer, a second economic impact study will be underway to measure the extent to which McGregor Hall is bringing money to the area. Hopper predicts that it could be twice the amount from just four years ago.

“We have come back with a big roar in the past year,” Hopper said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. “We’ve added a lot of rental events (and) bringing in a lot of people from outside the area – people who spend money for food, lodging and more.

Known as a spot for performances and concerts, McGregor Hall also has become a popular spot for dance competitions.

“Next year, we have 15 straight weekends of dance competitions,” Hopper said. The various events hosted at McGregor Hall serve to infuse the local economy with additional revenue, which is its main purpose.

“We are first and foremost an economic endeavor,” Hopper said. “Even before the arts.” The arts just happen to be the way McGregor Hall contributes to the local economy.

The economic impact study is a good way to measure in concrete ways how the venue is achieving its mission.

The research is expected to be conducted in late August or early September, and Hopper said he hopes to have results by the end of September. N.C. State’s Municipal Research Lab and Tom White will come back to do the second study for about half the cost of the first one, since much of the foundational work has been done already.

Measuring a venue’s economic impact is relatively easy compared to measuring the impact theater and performing arts has on the people who participate and enjoy them. Researchers can study a store’s receipts and compare them with days or weekends that competitions or events were held at McGregor Hall.

But Hopper said he can only provide anecdotal evidence of the way McGregor Hall performances have affected the lives of patrons and artists who come to the venue.

It’s not hyperbole that “theater can change lives. And save lives,” he said. So many people have found a community within the walls of McGregor Hall.

That community “starts with the way we work with people,” he added.

More than 50 children – half of whom have no experience with theater – met for the first time Tuesday to begin working on Seussical Jr., a production of a two-week long theater camp.

In just over a week, that same group of youngsters will take the stage at McGregor Hall for the opening performance.

Children from different schools, neighborhoods and backgrounds come together for the grand sum of $50 for the two-week camp, Hopper said.

“Children desperately crave communities,” he noted. We can provide a healthy community, or they’ll create their own. We’re creating community for them in the best way possible.”

That’s an impact that surely will pay its own kind of dividends.

 

 

TownTalk: Chamber Banquet A Success; Hopper Named Citizen Of The Year

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It’s always a good day to hear good news, and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce added to the good-news cycle Tuesday evening when it announced Mark Hopper as the 2021 Citizen of the Year.

Hopper is the director and board chair of McGregor Hall, and he has guided the cultural arts center from its opening in 2016 through the pandemic shutdown and back into operation. His unwavering support for bringing back shows, productions, competitions and other events is a critical component for the continued success of McGregor Hall.

Chamber President Michele Burgess and Events Director Sandra Wilkerson said the annual dinner and banquet was a big hit, from the food provided by Chamber member Cook Shack to the highlight of the evening, which was the citizen of the year announcement.

“We did have a really nice event,” Burgess said, adding that it was nice to be back at an in-person gathering to celebrate Chamber accomplishments in the community.

Board President Ronald Bennett’s theme for the year shines the spotlight on community, and the Chamber members will focus on carrying that message far and wide to grow pride for the area and to play up the assets that Henderson and Vance County have to offer.

“Together, we work better,” Wilkerson said. By bringing together nonprofits, churches, as well as businesses large and small, she said the message will get out.

Past board chairman Dr. Levy Brown shared remarks during the evening’s proceedings. “(He) came back and made remarks as our past chairman,” Burgess said. “He still has a place in his heart for Henderson.

The committee selected Hopper from a strong list of worthy nominations, Burgess said. “We all realized how important McGregor Hall is to the community,” both in its cultural value and its economic value.

“He led the force in keeping it open,” Burgess said, and sought grants to bolster the shoestring budget, she added.

Archie Taylor, Vance County commissioner and previous Citizen of the Year recipient, announced the winner. In remarks, Taylor talked about Hopper’s influence on the success of McGregor Hall. “Soon after his election to chair of the board of McGregor Hall, he began to educate himself in the day-to-day management of a large performing-arts and learning center, including taxes, payroll, building upkeep, fund raising, and the direction of a large volunteer base – all with minimal paid employees – while continuing his artistic leadership of programing and theatrical productions. The most significant aspect of these achievements is that he has accomplished all of this entirely as an unpaid volunteer.

He said Hopper has invested himself to promote and grow his community through selfless dedication and leadership-by-example. “We can think of no one who has more humbly, sacrificially, generously and successfully contributed to the betterment of Henderson and Vance County than the man we are honoring this evening.”

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McGregor Hall

Town Talk 02/20/20: Hopper Discusses McGregor Hall’s Municipal Funding Request

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Mark Hopper, operations director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and chair of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Hopper discussed McGregor Hall’s recent open-ended request for funding from the City of Henderson and Vance County, supporting the proposal with information gleaned from a recent economic impact study completed by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University.

With an operations budget of approximately $500,000, Hopper said the center is maintained by one full-time employee, three part-time employees with a combined 20 hours per week and the help of volunteers who “go above and beyond.”

“That is an extremely lean budget for a facility like ours,” Hopper said. “Most facilities like ours our operating in the $800,000 to a million-dollar budget range.”

Providing a brief history of the building of McGregor Hall, Hopper explained that the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation fundraised for the $9 million center. Six months before opening, one pledge fell through, according to Hopper, and the Center owes a remaining $2.9 million through a low-interest USDA loan with an approximate annual payment of $124,000 a year.

The center is now requesting assistance from the City and County to offset this debt payment every year. An exact dollar amount was not specified in the request.

Hopper said McGregor Hall, with seating for 1,000, is breaking new ground as the only performing arts center in the state with over 750 seats not connected with an educational institution that does not receive any kind of municipal funding.

While McGregor Hall staff and volunteers are proud of being a pioneer of sorts, Hopper said management of debt, City and County funding and increased staffing are essential for continued growth and sustainability.

“Our primary goal is not really an artistic one,” Hopper expressed in a sentiment that he has shared in previous interviews with WIZS. “Our primary purpose in our formation was an economic one. We intended to be an economic stimulus in downtown Henderson.”

According to the results of McGregor Hall’s economic impact study, the center is achieving that goal. During the 12 month study period prior to April 2019, McGregor Hall was directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy and was responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.

“Taking that kind of economic presence out of the Vance County and Henderson economy right now would be absolutely devastating. We want this to grow and get even bigger. We are starting to see some really exciting things going on in downtown Henderson and we feel we’ve had a big part in making that happen,” stated Hopper.

To hear the interview with Hopper in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

McGregor Hall

Dance Competitions Economic Boon for McGregor Hall, Vance County

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Mark Hopper, chair of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the local economic impact of hosting dance competitions at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.

With nine weekends of national dance competitions scheduled this year, crowds of 1,800 to 2,700 per event are expected to converge on McGregor Hall and Vance County, according to Hopper.

“These are Friday afternoon through Sunday evening stays that involve a traveling team and their family members in much the same way as traveling athletic teams,” said Hopper.

Ultimately, this weekend of travel means the dancers, their family members and friends support the local economy by purchasing hotel accommodations, meals, gas, entertainment and more.

“We had one of the dance competitions a couple of weeks ago and two hotels in town were completely full because of the competition,” Hopper said. “We’ve heard anecdotal stories of downtown restaurants that literally ran out of food on that Saturday night because they had so much business.”

Such an economic impact is just what McGregor Hall’s forefathers hoped for when planning the venue.

“The primary mission of McGregor Hall is one of economic redevelopment. Part of Sam Watkins’ dream was to improve life in the community by bringing people in to spend money in Vance County, particularly in downtown Henderson,” Hopper explained.

The second part of that mission, to provide an outlet for young people to practice their art on stage while also providing entertainment for the community is the “vehicle that drives the economic redevelopment vision.”

Hopper said the affordable rental fees coupled with the personal service provided by McGregor Hall staff, and the Henderson business community as a whole, are a major part of the reason the venue has gone from booking two dance competitions last year to nine this year.

“Matt Nowell, the technical director and point person for rental events at McGregor Hall, knows how to make people feel welcome. He’s a hometown boy and he’s exactly what we want as far as encouraging our best and brightest to stay here to contribute to make Vance County a better place.

When people come in and they get treated well and pay less, then naturally we’re going to get a lot of business.”

Hopper also had high praise for the work Pam Hester, director for the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, has done and continues to do to support the community and McGregor Hall.

“Pam has been a fantastic friend to us and has worked diligently as a partner in everything we’re doing.”

Phil Lakernick, a former director of downtown development, and dance studio Ballet Arts were also mentioned as being “instrumental” in making McGregor Hall a contender in the dance competition game.

“Phil has been an indispensable partner to us since the day we opened and was very influential in helping us get the nine companies lined up for these events.”

Community partners working together to network and make economic opportunities like this a reality demonstrate that Vance County is committed to revitalization, according to Hopper.

“We truly are all in this together: from businesses, to tourism, to government, to volunteers; we are committed to this dream.”

To hear the Town Talk interview with Mark Hopper in its entirety, click here.

McGregor Hall

Hopper: 5th Dimension, Other Headlining Acts Offer ‘World-Class’ Entertainment

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Mark Hopper, chair of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center’s ability to attract big headlining acts.

One such act, 5th Dimension, will be performing this Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 8 p.m. at the performing arts center located at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.

Formed in 1965, the Grammy-winning group currently performs with two of their original members, including Florence LaRue.

Classic songs including “Up, Up, and Away, “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and the iconic “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In” are sure to delight.

According to Hopper, 5th Dimension is one of the biggest acts to grace McGregor Hall and demonstrates the positive impact the venue is having on the local economy.

“It’s exactly what we wanted to do,” said Hopper. “From the very first germination of this idea the project was an economic one more than an artistic one; the arts just happened to be the vehicle that we were using.”

“We knew the way to get people involved and to get the economic engine running was to make what we put on stage was the very best it could be. We’ve proven we can bring the very best in world-class entertainment right here to Henderson and Vance County.”

Tickets are still available for Saturday’s performance and may be purchased by:

Drop In: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. (Monday – Friday from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

Call: (252) 598-0662 (Monday – Friday from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

Online: www.McGregorHall.org (Use the eTix official site; online fees apply)

To hear the Town Talk interview with Mark Hopper in its entirety, please click here. Hopper’s interview begins at approximately the 10:20 mark. 

Musicians Michael Stephenson & Mark Hopper to Perform at McGregor Hall Friday, April 27

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 — Press Release submitted by McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

SPRINGTIME BECKONS WITH AN UPBEAT EVENING OF JAZZ, SPIRITUALS & LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC

On Friday, April 27, two of North Carolina’s very own musicians, Michael Stephenson and Mark Hopper, will join together on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center for Sax & Piano: A Springtime Concert. Part of the Music at McGregor Series, the evening event will showcase a harmonic display of upbeat jazz, spirituals and light classical music that is sure to dazzle the spirits as spring blossoms color the streets of historic downtown Henderson, N.C.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. Several restaurants located near the theater are scheduled to open for pre-concert dinner service.

Stephenson is the Coordinator of Music and Drama at Pitt Community College in Winterville, N.C., and a founding member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet. The Henderson native is also a former faculty member of Vance-Granville Community College, starting the Vance-Granville Community Band.

Hopper is the Minister of Music and Organist at the First Baptist Church in Henderson,  the Vice President of the McGregor Hall Board of Directors and a director with the Henderson Rec Players. He will be playing the Hall’s Steinway piano and a 1970 Zuckerman harpsichord.

“Spring has arrived and it’s the perfect time of year to dress up for an evening dinner out and jazz concert in historic downtown Henderson,” said Hopper. “Mike and I plan on playing an array of upbeat jazz, spirituals and light classical music.”

The program for Sax & Piano: A Springtime Concert with Michael Stephenson and Mark Hopper includes Sonata in C Minor, BWV 1017 by J. S. Bach; Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla; Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie; Aria by Eugene Bozza; Scaramouche, Op. 165b by Darius Milhaud; Down by the Riverside by Daniel Kallman; and Rumba by Maurice Whitney. For a full setlist, visit www.McGregorHall.org.

Tickets are on sale for $20 plus sales tax and can be purchased directly at the McGregor Hall Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as well as 7 p.m. the night of the show. The Box Office is located at the Hall at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson and can be reached by phone at (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at anytime prior to a performance at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix.

(This is not a paid advertisement.  However, there are other ads on WIZS Radio which are ads paid for by McGregor Hall.)