Zoellner enjoys seventh consecutive record-breaking year

For the seventh consecutive year in its eight-year-history, Zoellner Arts Center has registered significant gains in both sales and revenues.
Despite a national trend in which performing arts centers show decreasing sales due to a decrease in season subscriptions, increased competition for leisure time and less disposable income, Zoellner’s sales increased nine percent.
Nearly 41,500 patrons attended its Music Department, Department of Theatre and Guest Artists performances, as well as Art Gallery exhibitions and lectures. Music Department sales increased by two percent, Department of Theatre sales increased by 10 percent, and the Guest Artist series sales increased by 16 percent. In addition, the Lehigh University Art Galleries exhibited a 34 percent increase in visitors over last year.
Liz Scofield, director of Zoellner, says the growth has been consistent over the past several years. “We’re particularly pleased with these increases in light of industry trends. It means that we’re offering the campus and the community the programming and exhibitions that they want to see.” Scofield credits a great line-up of more than 75 events, including 38 Music Department performances, 43 Department of Theatre, 20 Guest Artists events and five major gallery exhibitions, but says there is even more to why Zoellner is bucking the downward trend.
It's not only about getting a seat at a great performance anymore. People demand a total experience, Scofield says. We create a welcoming ambiance. It starts with free parking attached to the center so everyone can just walk inside, and then it moves to exciting exhibits by students and professionals in the lobbies and the galleries, as well as pre-show talks or events that complement the performance.
“This year, for example, both Choral Arts and Philharmonic students spoke about the upcoming performances. Nadine Sine and Paul Chou of the Music Department gave pre-show talks before Guest Artist events, Lehigh’s Finest Step Team performed before the Savion Glover show, and the Lehigh Jazz Ensemble before the Branford Marsalis concert. We’ve really integrated the visual and performing arts as well as the students and faculty with the Guest Artists at Zoellner.
Subscriptions for the 2005-2006 Season are on sale now, single tickets on August 1. This year, Zoellner introduces its Early Order Plan. For just $30, patrons can purchase single tickets after subscriptions are filled but before they go on sale to the general public to secure better seats. For a copy of the 2005-2006 season brochure, visit Zoellner Arts Center online or call (610) 758-2787 (7LU-ARTS).