Venue Management — Podcast — Making It with Chris G.

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When running a venue of any size, it takes a team that operates as one unified front with mutual respect and empathy. Over my career, I’ve been able to work with all kinds of venues from clubs to theaters to amphitheaters and arenas. You would think there is a formula on how venues operate or some kind of standard. However, every venue runs completely different. It’s like the venue is an artist. They’re all unique and interesting in their own ways, and they all present different challenges. It’s usually the ones that are great communicators, organized, and bring that extra love and care to a show that are the most memorable and stand out. And it doesn’t matter how big or small the team running the venues are. I’ve worked with small teams that were amazing, and large teams that were horrible. One of my favorite smaller teams were working with Conny and Gaby at the Olympia Theater in Miami, FL.

Conny Quintanilla is the Production Coordinator at the Olympia, and founder and CEO of FansOnQ, a company that develops and hires casted audiences and seat fillers for major events. Gabriella Fernandez is the venues Director of Theater Operations, and founder and President for Front Yard Theatre Collective, a sketch comedy theater group. The two of them together are a dynamic duo that can outwork much larger teams. Conny and Gaby have always worn literally many hats, and are very passionate about their team, their venue, and making sure that the shows run smooth. Located in the heart of Downtown Miami and at a Historic Theater, made it one of the venues I looked forward to visiting the most during my time with AEG Presents. I look forward to the day I come back to work or see a show at the Olympia Theater.

In this conversation we talk about running a venue, how COVID-19 has affected their venue, having side hustles, working as a team, and much more.

To learn more about Conny and Gaby visit http://www.olympiatheater.org/, http://fansonq.com/, and https://www.frontyardtheatrecollective.com/.

Highlights from this Episode
[01:24] Conny and Gaby’s role at Olympia Theater
[02:50] Surviving COVID-19
[07:52] Journey before Olympia Theater & Side Hustles
[20:55] Bicycle Theater
[23:42] Courses to Prepare for Working at a Venue
[28:20] Building Authentic Relationships
[32:30] Different roles at a venue and opportunities
[35:58] Working with co-promoters and partners
[37:15] Dealing with difficult people
[43:43] Things promoters should know when working with a venue
[50:55] Surprise celebrity and special guest appearances
[01:00:14] Things to pay attention to prior to opening a venue
[01:04:30] Getting to know Conny and Gaby

Quotes from Conny and Gaby
“Taking an improv class can translate to so many areas of your life.” - Gaby
“I don’t feel production is in textbooks. Production is all about hands on experience.” - Conny
“In the entertainment industry...80% is who you know...10% is knowledge...and 10% is luck.” - Gaby
“Once you’ve experienced your first burn, you start waking up to a lot of things. You pick up that sixth sense.” - Conny
“A lot of people when they’re scamming you, the minute you ask a lot of questions, they’ll act annoyed.” - Gaby
“You kind of have to get scammed (in this industry), it’s sort of like hazing.” - Gaby
“You fall down 7, you get up 8.” - Conny
“Get everything in writing.” - Conny and Gaby
“It’s really important that you get to know who you’re working with...and when show day comes be on the same page.” - Conny
“A good way to prevent drama is to build a solid team.” - Gaby
“Make yourself a checklist of everything you need before you get to a new city.” - Gaby
“You always gotta be ahead of the game.” - Conny
“Always use common sense and common courtesy.” - Conny
“As a promoter when you get to a venue, don’t just get familiar with the stage door.” - Gaby

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Olympia Theater
ESPY Awards
FansOnQ (Casted Audience)
Front Yard Theatre Collective (Sketch Comedy Group)
Last Podcast on the Left
Shakira
NSYNC
Guns N’ Roses in Colombia
Keto Diet

Conny & Gaby’s Definition of Making It:
“Pay your rent doing what you love.” - Gaby
“Loving what you do and being at peace with it. Loving it, and never stop learning.” - Conny

Get in touch with Conny and Gaby
http://www.olympiatheater.org/
http://fansonq.com/
https://www.frontyardtheatrecollective.com/

Keep in touch:chris.goyzueta@gmail.com

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency
Music: Emily Kopp

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

Ryan Murphy is the President of Huntsville Venue Group and Head of Amphitheaters and Venues for Venue Group. His company is currently working with the city of Huntsville, AL to design, construct, and operate the Huntsville Amphitheater, an 8,000 seat venue. His career started playing in Punk Rock bands around the world, and always being a leader within his community and local music scene. Living in Daytona Beach, FL where there were no options for bands to play an all-ages venue, Ryan rented out a conference room at the local Ramada Inn to put on his first concert and mini music festival. His journey led him to Gainesville, FL where he worked for No Idea Records, while still touring with his bands.

With a giant passion for migrant workers and supporting his local community, Ryan and a group of friends organized the Harvest of Hope Festival in 2009 and 2010. The inaugural year included artists such as Against Me!, The National, Broken Social Scene, Bad Brains, Girl Talk, and many more. In 2010, Ryan started working for the St. Augustine Amphitheatre where he became the General Manager and Director of Cultural Events Division for St. John’s County. Ryan played a major role in building the culture and vibe that makes St. Augustine Amphitheatre such a special place to play, work, and experience concerts. In 2016, Ryan and his team launched the Sing Out Loud Festival, a month-long music festival that takes over all of St. Augustine, which featured headliner Kacey Musgraves in 2019. Ryan is also very involved in operating venues that our environment and sustainability conscious. Through the Green Hands Project, they’ve drastically reduced the amount of waste that comes with promoting concerts.

Ryan Murphy is one of the first people in the industry that took the time to meet with me. It was when he was organizing the second Harvest of Hope Festival when I took a ride from Orlando to Gainesville, and he invited me for pizza. It’s been inspiring to watch his journey and getting to work shows with him at St. Augustine Amphitheater. In this episode, we talk about Ryan’s journey, the importance of running a venue that’s mindful of its local community, and stories from his adventures throughout his journey. I hope you enjoy this conversation with the amazing Ryan Murphy.

The Podcast Is Now Available as Video on YouTube

Quotes from Ryan Murphy
“Music is the lifeblood.”
“It’s a weird business to be in when you’re counting the number of beers that you sold.”
“You gotta be able to be open to a lot of different people and their ideas.”
“Find the people within institutions that you can have a heart to heart with.”
“We have a lot more in common that we don’t.”
“In the end, you’re probably making more money by spending a little more money to treat people well.”
“You gotta make them feel like what you’re working towards is something they believe in.”
“If I’m gonna expect for the community to give a shit, and defend the amphitheater, get behind the amphitheater and my vision, I better be out there working for them, and what they believe in as well.”
“I don’t really care who promotes, I want the artist to know that they’re playing St. Augustine.”
“Being a neutral party is very important.”
“Move to a community that really inspires you.”
“Find the people that inspire you and try to reach out to them and learn from them.”

Highlights from this Episode
[5:55] Working on Huntsville Amphitheater
[8:50] Why Huntsville, AL?
[15:00] Other venues in Huntsville, AL
[16:45] Impact of COVID-19
[22:10] Changes to how Venues do Business after COVID-19
[25:36] Growing up in Daytona Beach, FL
[31:05] Experience playing in bands
[34:54] Studying at University of Florida
[37:10] Passion for Local Businesses
[38:30] Building your network and genuine relationships
[42:10] Organizing house concerts
[45:40] Creative touring strategy
[47:50] House shows are not just for Singer-Songwriters
[49:32] Harvest of Hope Festival and St. Augustine Amphitheater
[58:50] The experience of St. Augustine Amphitheater
[1:03:45] Hiring, Recruiting, and Training Employees
[1:06:20] Having a Volunteer Program for your venue
[1:09:40] Supporting the local community
[1:10:35] Working with outside promoters as a venue
[1:17:30] Advice for new people in the industry
[1:20:45] Being held back by your organization
[1:24:28] Getting to Know Ryan Murphy