Marilyn Busch has been promoted from associate director to director of marketing and public relations at Trinity Repertory Co. She has been a leading force in the company’s public relations efforts over the past eight years. Previously, she served as director of public relations and marketing for Perishable Theatre. Busch also serves on the marketing committee for the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau.
PBN: With 20 years of experience in professional theaters and colleges throughout New England, what changes you have noticed?
BUSCH: Social media is the big game changer for any arts marketer, and I see it as an exciting opportunity for us to cultivate a personal relationship with our audiences. As opposed to the past where you waited for reviews and the word-of-mouth momentum to build for a show, the real-time impact of Twitter and Facebook is refreshing. The power of the press has given way to the power of the people. One of my goals for the theater is to continue to find new ways to expand our dialogue with not only the audiences coming to the theater, but also folks that are just curious to know how we come up with the final product on stage. We have been shooting some behind-the-scenes videos with the designers and actors for our social-media fans. Over the past few years we have seen a huge growth in our online presence. My goal is to double our 4,400 Facebook and more than 1,000 Twitter followers by year’s end.
PBN: Why has Trinity Repertory Co. had unique success in comparison to other theater companies?
BUSCH: Trinity Rep is home to one of the last long-standing resident acting companies in America. This truly is a testament to both our theater’s resiliency in this combustible economic environment, as well as our community’s love and appreciation for the arts.
PBN: What are some of your new responsibilities and new projects at Trinity?
BUSCH: I’m really very excited when folks ask me what they can expect from our upcoming season. People have really come to know that we do things the Trinity Rep way. Whether it’s setting our version of “Camelot” in World War II London, doing “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a live radio play, or our new play about Edgar Allan Poe, we truly have something unexpected to offer everyone. •
