We’re thrilled to introduce Chris, our new Peppered Consultant.
We sat down to find out more about him and why he wants to contribute to the arts and culture sector.
Hi Chris. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you did before joining CultureSuite?
Sure thing! I’m an avid theatre-maker, gamer, and puzzle-solver living about an hour outside of New York City with my spouse and our black cat (and unofficial Office Manager) Beatrice. Most recently, I spent the last three years assisting arts organisations across North America as a senior member of the Spektrix Support Team. I’ve been involved in putting up live theatre for over 15 years and am looking forward to stepping into a new behind-the-scenes role of web developer.
What enticed you to join CultureSuite?
The folks at CultureSuite clearly care about improving the online experience of engaging with the arts. As someone who is a passionate theatre- and concert-goer I am very glad to bring my love for live entertainment to supporting arts organisations, especially to those based in North America as CultureSuite grows. It’s an exciting time to join the team!
What’s your earliest experience of arts and culture? And how did it influence who you are today?
The earliest I can remember – I was maybe 8? – was seeing Weird Al live with my family at an amphitheatre in New Jersey. Tapping into that feeling of very quickly and viscerally connecting with people I’d never met before over a shared love of music is something I still hold dear as I continue to grow as an artist and human.
How would you like to help the sector in your new role?
As I am a person who both enjoys the technical details of how systems work and connecting with others, I hope to bring my skillset to assist those running arts organisations in learning how to best utilise CultureSuite’s tools to achieve their goals and connect with their patrons. As a helper, I’m looking forward to bringing my troubleshooting skills to any fellow tinkerers!
What do you enjoy doing outside of your role at CultureSuite?
I still perform in live theatre from time to time, but lately have been trying my hand at mead-making. I can’t say I’ve finished a batch just yet, but I am eager to see if it’s something I’d like to stick with!
What is the most interesting (be that cool, random or otherwise!) thing that’s ever happened to you?
I’ve had a few experiences in my lifetime meeting some celebrities in passing, but my favourite story is with Bruce Springsteen. One day in high school, I had a head cold that very suddenly got wicked bad, so my dad took me to work with him at the last minute. At the time, my dad was working security at Newark Airport and had explained to me that his team had a policy of not being overly “chummy” with the VIPs coming in, for obvious reasons. He told me this because “today Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are flying in." In other words, be respectful and keep a low profile. They’re people too! That afternoon, I’m outside of a building close to the tarmac when several members of the E Street Band walk by and voluntarily offer to shake hands with each of the security members present. Bruce Springsteen walks up to my dad to shake his hand, and when he obliges, Bruce sees me next to him. He then offers to shake my hand when I say, “I’m sick, and as a performer myself, I wouldn't want to pass anything on to you, especially with your schedule.” He gave me a relaxed, toothy grin and said “right on” before I saw Little Steven walk by wearing one of his head bandanas. The short version is: I turned down The Boss’ handshake!
Interested in joining the CultureSuite team? Check our careers page to see what openings we currently have.
