INTIX Selects Arena Stage For Outstanding Box Office Award

The International Ticketing Association (INTIX) has selected Arena Stage as the recipient for the 2009 Outstanding Box Office Award. INTIX-a nonprofit organization of ticketing professionals in the performing arts, entertainment, athletics and more-represents over 1,200 members from 23 countries. This yearly honor recognizes only one box office. According to INTIX, the INTIX Awards program was created "to honor and showcase those who have demonstrated leadership, service, professionalism and special achievements through innovative, informative and creative management."

Arena Stage's nomination focused on the year-long challenges of moving mid-season to Crystal City in Arlington, VA from the theater's home in Southwest D.C., as well as the current challenges entailed in serving a large subscriber, patron and usher base in two cities. During the renovation of the Mead Center for American Theater in Southwest D.C., Arena Stage performs at the Lincoln Theater in Northwest D.C. as well as in Crystal City. The Arena staff has faced these complex logistical challenges with the teamwork and professionalism needed to earn an outstanding reputation with patrons and within the ticketing world.

"The sales office staff at Arena has always been a source of pride," comments Artistic Director Molly Smith. "During this stressful transition, these staff members-along with the entire Arena Stage team-have risen to the occasion and consistently shown efficiency and courtesy. Change, while difficult, allows us to see ourselves and our context in a new way. Now more than ever the dedication of our sales office staff is evident, and we applaud them for this well-deserved honor."

This occasion marks the first time Arena Stage has won this award. Past recipients include Center Theatre Group (2006), The Historic Theatre Group (2004), and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2002), among others. Arena Director of Audience Services Khady Kamara accepted the award at the Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 4, 2009.

ABOUT ARENA RESTAGED

With construction well underway on the 47-year-old Southwest D.C. theater campus, Arena Stage has launched ARENA RESTAGED, a two-year festival celebrating the rich mosaic of our nation's voices. ARENA RESTAGED, which will lay the foundation for a new home for theater artists and audiences, will take place throughout the time it takes to finish the expansion of the new theater complex, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. At the Center, the two existing performance spaces-the Fichandler Stage and the Kreeger Theater-will be fully renovated and a new 200-seat space dedicated to premiering American theater, The Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle, will be added. Arena Stage at the Mead Center is scheduled to open for the 2010/2011 season.

To allow for a timely and cost-effective renovation, Arena currently operates out of Arena Stage in Crystal City (1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA) and at the historic Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, NW, Washington, D.C.). For more information, please visit www.arenastage.org.