Geva Theatre Center

Case Study: Strategic Planning

Geva Theatre Center

Location: Rochester, NY | Client: Geva Theatre Center

Geva staff and Board leadership partnered with AMS to drive a strategic planning process grounded in listening to and addressing the pressing needs of core stakeholders.

The Challenge

Geva Theatre was pushing against the headwinds of post-pandemic challenges, a complex marketplace, and an industry hungry for change. Having welcomed new Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson amidst the economic shutdowns, the Board and staff recognized that strategic planning was part of the critical path to Geva’s next, successful chapter. But given the extraordinary pressures on their time, what would be the most effective way to advance this work – as they reopened their doors to the public for Ms. Williamson’s first, fully in-person season?

Geva Theatre Center

Location: Rochester, NY | Client: Geva Theatre Center

Geva staff and Board leadership partnered with AMS to drive a strategic planning process grounded in listening to and addressing the pressing needs of core stakeholders.

The Challenge

Geva Theatre was pushing against the headwinds of post-pandemic challenges, a complex marketplace, and an industry hungry for change. Having welcomed new Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson amidst the economic shutdowns, the Board and staff recognized that strategic planning was part of the critical path to Geva’s next, successful chapter. But given the extraordinary pressures on their time, what would be the most effective way to advance this work – as they reopened their doors to the public for Ms. Williamson’s first, fully in-person season?

Our Approach

AMS designed a process that brought together our deep expertise in theater management and leadership, and an array of tools to help Geva’s Board, staff, and the communities of Greater Rochester articulate the Geva they valued, and the Geva they wanted to see in the future.

Give voice to diverse stakeholders

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key stakeholder interviews

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BIPOC community input participants

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patrons surveyed

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key stakeholder interviews

0 +

BIPOC community input participants

0 +

patrons surveyed

Take the wide view and the long view

5 years’ operating data analyzed
50 years’ company history assessed
3+ “deep dives” into national peers
450+ local arts nonprofits identified

Take the wide view and the long view

5 years’ operating data analyzed
50 years’ company history assessed
3+ “deep dives” into national peers
450+ local arts nonprofits identified

Use the planning process to start building capacity

>75% staff participation in workshops
2 phases recommended for implementation

Use the planning process to start building capacity

>75% staff participation in workshops
2 phases recommended for implementation

It was important to us to have a partner who could provide industry data and information on benchmarking as well as a spirit of collaboration. AMS assisted us in bringing different voices to the table (Staff, Board, Community, Subscribers) to ensure that the strategic plan represents all of Geva’s key stakeholders. AMS was open to making space for lots of ideas and facilitating the refinement of those into an aligned vision.”

Christina Gullo

Board Chair and Chair, Strategic Planning Committee

Our Solution

AMS worked closely with the Strategic Planning Committee, conducting frequent pre- and debriefing calls to ensure members were informed and aligned throughout the planning process.

We designed a multipronged stakeholder engagement strategy, recognizing that the communities Geva wanted to hear from did not have uniform communication styles or needs.

We adapted workshop design and facilitation in response to constrained staff capacity, making space for each voice while minimizing the impact on staff time.

AMS worked closely with the Strategic Planning Committee, conducting frequent pre- and debriefing calls to ensure members were informed and aligned throughout the planning process.

We designed a multipronged stakeholder engagement strategy, recognizing that the communities Geva wanted to hear from did not have uniform communication styles or needs.

We adapted workshop design and facilitation in response to constrained staff capacity, making space for each voice while minimizing the impact on staff time.

It’s not enough to have a strategic plan. The process of planning should be a potent ingredient in your organization’s recipe for engagement, delivering renewed commitment to your purpose.

Contact AMS today to talk about how we can co-design a process that delivers a plan – and a meaningful experience for every stakeholder involved in making it.