THE BEST IS YET TO COME

G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher

For us at Audience Magazine, Louisville’s performing arts create a force as fundamental as breathing. They are sustenance, they are lifegiving, and they are most certainly indispensable. In this issue, we’re proud to highlight a few announcements and upcoming performances that clearly illustrate why.

Speaking of announcements, we want to offer up a huge congratulations to Leslie Smart for her new role as the Louisville Ballet’s Executive Director. Not only does she have extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, she has an incomparable passion for the ballet — a former dancer, her entire family has been involved with the organization at one time or another.

We’re also thrilled to see the addition of lots of new stops on the Shakespeare in the Parks tour. With a whopping 37 locations on the schedule this spring, there’s no excuse to miss Kentucky Shakespeare’s newest production of Hamlet

You also don’t want to miss The Texas Tenors, performing with the Louisville Orchestra on April 7. The blend of their three exceptional voices is sure to knock your socks off.

According to Fund for the Arts President & CEO Andre Kimo Stone Guess, access to and participation in the arts is a right, not a privilege, and we couldn’t agree more. His leadership in the local arts community is one of the reasons it remains so healthy and vibrant. We had a wonderful conversation with Andre (see page 20), but he had so many great things to share, we couldn’t fit them all in here! Check out the full interview at Audience502.com.

Oh, and Broadway is back, baby! Every single show in the 2023-24 promises to be epic, and we could not click “subscribe” fast enough. Thanks to our generous advertisers for allowing us to bring you these stories and more, free of charge.

We’re looking forward to feasting at the table of the performing arts this spring. Just say the word, and we’ll pull you up a chair!

Bon Appetit, Amy & Doug

PUBLISHER

The Audience Group, Inc.

G. Douglas Dreisbach

MANAGING EDITOR Amy Higgs

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rhonda Mefford

SALES & MARKETING

G. Douglas Dreisbach

CONTRIBUTORS

Bill Doolittle

G. Douglas Dreisbach

Photo by Steve Thrasher. Read more on page 24

A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation. © Copyright 2023. The Audience Group, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part