Community support for The Bend Theater grew deeper and stronger in 2024.
Here’s an update:
- Number of Events — The theater, now in its third full year of operations, hosted 183 events last year, compared to 169 in 2023.
- People Served — The number of attendees in 2024 totaled about 35,000, compared to about 27,000 the year before. The 2024 total included about 8500 people who attended two block parties at the beginning and end of the summer. They were co-hosted by The Bend and the Downtown West Bend Association.
- Top Line – Total revenues grew to $1.2 million, up 21% from the year before.
- Bottom Line – With donations, grants and sponsorships, The Bend about broke even for the year, and is off to a strong start in 2025.
- Stronger Brand – While 65% of the theater-goers came from the city’s two zip codes, The Bend drew from 17 zip codes across the state and a few visitors from out-of-state. Some people follow their favorite bands wherever they play.
- Entertainment Ratings – On a scale of ten, 78% of the theater-goers recently surveyed rated The Bend a nine or a ten.
- Beverage Choices – More than 50% preferred cocktails, 37% went for beer and 9% went for wine.
President Nic Novaczyk said, “All in all, it was a very good year for a startup enterprise. We appreciate the depth of support from all across the community. In effect, the community owns this place.”
Recall that The Bend had its Grand Opening March 14, 2020 and closed the next day because of COVID. We slowly and cautiously reopened later that year and throughout 2021.
The Bend is a learning organization. Its management team of four professionals and its board listened and learned during those five years and got smarter and smarter about what the community wants for entertainment and other events, like parties and business meetings.
Top tribute bands, especially classic rock and contemporary country, were the biggest winners. The theater managers also learned that top-notch comedians fill its 366 seats at far better ticket prices than comedians with less experience.
In a 2024 strategic board planning exercise, three principal goals were developed:
- Keep our award-winning historic Art Deco building in pristine condition. Recent lighting and sound advances have proved to be sound investment decisions.
- Expand the brand of The Bend to statewide awareness.
- Strengthen the financial footings of the young non-profit enterprise.
The most effective way to elevate the brand across the state will be to bring in big-name bands with their strong brands. It will piggy-back on their star-power to build the reputation of “The Bend Theater.”
National-level bands are expensive. So, The Bend has launched a campaign to raise sponsorship dollars to attract high-profile musicians and comedians. Several companies have already stepped up as sponsors/donors to accomplish that strategy.
With the artists’ fees covered, the proceeds from the big-name ticket sales will be added to the non-profit organization’s balance sheet for financial sustainability.
Remember always that the former West Bend Theater went dark from 2006 to 2020. That should never happen again.
The Bend was created as a for-profit theater in 1929 and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029. That birthday is an opportunity.
Its board, management and the community as a whole need to have a mindset to support this gathering place so that it keeps its bright lights shining for another 100 years.
The current momentum and deep community support and affection makes that long-range goal attainable.
Meanwhile, enjoy the place and get ready to party at its 100th birthday.
