Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Kassie.
Hi Carol, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have had a deep and abiding love for the arts, particularly theatre, since I was a small child and my parents presented me with an original Broadway cast recording of “My Fair Lady”. Armed with a degree in Theatre from Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University) in Montreal, Canada, I became … a librarian. I spent 30 years in Ottawa, Canada, raising two children with my husband, Ralph, working first as a librarian and then in the family’s Army/Navy business, all the while actively participating in many of the Ottawa Community’s cultural events. A move to South Florida in 2001 offered me an opportunity to return to my first love, theatre, and I jumped at the chance – I eventually became the Marketing Director at the Cuillo Center for the Arts (that building now houses Palm Beach Dramaworks), and then for The Lake Worth Playhouse. I eventually went ‘freelance’, and currently take care of theatrical marketing, public relations, and audience growth and development for various local and national theatres, theatre companies, and cultural organizations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely a challenge getting started in the business. Everything is ‘word of mouth’, and it took me
quite a lot of time to build a resume, a client base, and of course, experience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love the creativity of my job. Coming up with ways to promote a production, an event, and/or an artist is challenging, and yet a lot of fun. Finding a ‘hook’ to attract press coverage, reviewers – and most importantly audiences – calls for innovation and ingenuity. What can I find to say that is new and exciting about a classic play or musical that hasn’t been said many times before? How can I attract people to a brand-new event or production that is completely unknown?
What graphic can I create, what words can I write? These are challenges I enjoy meeting.
I really value input from my clients – they’re the most familiar with the work they’re doing – and they know what they want to say.
I always say I specialize in ‘putting butts in the seats’, because that’s the bottom line (pun intended!), isn’t it? I’m also
very proud of the fact that I have a lot of repeat clients – they keep coming back!
I think my love of theatre and the arts – and my experience in almost all aspects of theatrical production – sets me
apart from some others in my field. However, I also am very proud of my relationships with other local
marketing and PR people – I respect and admire them, and maintain excellent relationships with them.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I think, rather than one city (although I do love Miami!), Miami Dade and Palm Beach County should be recognized for their artisitc communities – and should be admired throughout the United States. The South Florida Theatre League has approximately 60 member theatres – and there are quite a few more companies who are not yet members (although they should be!!). And then there are the galleries, the museums, the pop-ups – too numerous to mention. South Florida is a goldmine of culture.
As for dislikes – I can’t really think of anything specific – perhaps the dearth of funding – the cultural community is definitely going through a dry spell as funders either renege or cut funding – beginning with the State.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carolkassie.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ckassie
Image Credits
Amy Pasquantonio
Carol Kassie
Ralph Kassie
