An Observation of Auditorium Management, under Gordon D. Smith, Manager, Miller Auditorium, Western Michigan University

Abstract

I began my SIP on March 31, 1975. For the next nine weeks I spent from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Miller Auditorium. My final week, the week of June 2, I spent gathering final data and in summarizing my journal. My time was spent with the administrative staff, observing and asking questions as they arose. In addition to observing, I had the opportunity to work on contracts, bookkeeping and budgeting, as well as working in the box office which proved an excellent method of learning the procedures there. I attended many of the programs held at Miller during my SIP, this provided me with the opportunity to observe pre-show ticket sales, stage direction and house managing. I also spent considerable time reading materials available at Miller Auditorium.. This provided me with a background in the research materials used by managers.