Pella Opera House

Reviews 3

KA

Katrina VanTassel

I am compelled to write this review after listening to a recent podcast on KNIA/KLRS featuring new Executive Director Heidi Kelley discussing her plans and vision for the Pella Opera House. One can choose to ignore the fact that in spite of a nationwide search that was conducted to find a highly qualified candidate to represent and grow the Pella Opera House, the one that was ultimately selected has difficulty with common 6th or 7th grade vocabulary words such as tempid (not even a word) in place of temperate and intrigal (again, not a word) in place of intricate etc. However, what is most troublesome from a community perspective, is her idea of a fundraiser she calls "Pick of the Season" which she is planning to unveil at Taste of the Town. She describes this as a bracket similar to March Madness where people can pay money to vote on what programming they would like narrowing it down over time until the Final Four are left and this will become the upcoming seasons programming. Then, she gives an example where she launched this before at a Symphony she worked for and one woman paid $2000.00 for each bracket she liked to help guarantee she would get exactly what she wanted. This says to me Heidi Kelley has zero interest in listening to the Pella community and will only cater to the most privileged and deep pocketed donors and patrons. If youre not a deep pocketed individual, then you dont have a voice and the only true interest she has in the community is finding talented children and individuals she can "exploit" (her word) to charge parents, grandparents and other family members to come see them perform to fill underutilized space at the Pella Opera House. It appears Heidi Kelleys primary interest is emptying pockets and furthering her own agenda. She does not appear to be a relationship or a community builder. I understand she has a financial responsibility to ensure profitability and growth of the Opera House. I just wish she wasnt so obvious, mercenary, inarticulate and lacking in class and tact.

PE

peter frederiksen

Well preserves historical opera house. The great staff will make sure you enjoy your stay.

DA

Dana Munn

Great!

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