Captivating audiences by finding exceptional performers is a major aspiration for Kyle Ridout, manager of the Ogle Center, ever since the center opened 15 years ago.
“That is the best part of this job,” Ridout said. “When I see audiences catch on fire and get excited after seeing a performance.”
Ridout said it is great to see the audience really enjoy a performance.
“One time after an act, the audience gave the performer a 5-minute standing ovation,” Ridout said. “It was great to see.”
Ridout said there have been times when a performance has even affected him. He said this happened recently with a Japanese jazz pianist, Hiromi, who performed in September.
“Normally, I do not get wowed by artists, but I was wowed by her,” Ridout said.
Ridout said it was the type of reaction he wanted the audiences to feel.
“I want audiences to walk away from these performances and say, ‘Wow, I am glad I came to that.’”
Ridout said his interest in the arts started at a young age and followed him to college, where he majored in music performance at IU Bloomington.
“I wanted to be an opera performer,” Ridout said.
It was not until he sent out a résumé to the Kentucky Opera and received the job of company manager, that his interest for being a programmer really begin.
“I got interested in programming,” Ridout said. “I worked for the Kentucky Opera for five years and then worked at the Nashville office for another five years.”
Ridout had met his wife, Susan Ridout, professor of education, during his schooling at IU Bloomington. She later received a job at IU Southeast in 1983.
After working in Nashville, Ridout said he wanted to move closer to home for his family’s sake.
“I heard about the planned center from my wife,” Ridout said. “I applied and interviewed for the position.”
Ridout received the job in 1995, and worked to help open the Ogle Center the following spring.
Ridout said his job is two parts, facility manager and programmer, but the programming side is where his real interests lay.
“I love programming and fundraising,” Ridout said.
With only six full-time employees, Ridout said his job is time-consuming.
“We do over 100 performances a year, and that does not count rehearsals,” Ridout said.
Despite the hectic schedule, Ridout said it is important to introduce all age groups to different cultures the performances can bring. He has been the lead developer in several different series, including the Different Drummer Series, Chase Children’s Series, Discovery Series and the Global Village.
Ridout said he has thoroughly enjoyed working in developing one of the series in particular, the Chase Children Series.
The series brings in about 17,000 students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade each year to campus to watch different shows for free.
“It is a labor of love, but it is one of the best experiences to be a part of,” Ridout said.
Ridout said he thinks it is imperative people are exposed to the arts at a young age and enjoys hearing about how it affects them later in life.
“We have had some moments,” Ridout said. “It is neat to hear a freshman tell us that their first time coming to campus was because they went to one of these shows.”
Ridout said he and the staff spend a lot of time picking out performers for any of the shows.
“We look for the unusual, but very entertaining,” Ridout said. “We always try to get top-notch artists from conservative to Broadway to cross-over classic.”
Ridout said his passion for experiencing different cultures followed him home to the kitchen.
“I like fusion cooking the best — combining one culture’s ingredients with another,” Ridout said.
Tracy Heightchew, box office supervisor for the Ogle Center, is a Facebook friend and has had the opportunity to experience Ridout’s cooking firsthand.
“He cooks a dinner for the full-time employees of the Ogle Center every Christmas,” Heightchew said. “He is good cook.”
Ridout said he regularly posts his menus for each day on his Facebook page.
By MORIAH
WHITTAKER
Staff
whittakm@umail.iu.edu
