Manager leaves Auditorium after 6 years of service

For six years, IU Auditorium General Manager Bryan Rives has been welcoming patrons to performances of some of the biggest names in music, comedy and theater. \nNow, he'll be doing the welcoming in St. Louis. Rives is leaving IU to head performing arts operations at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His last day at IU will be Dec. 31. He begins his new job Jan. 2, 2002.\n"The opportunity was so incredible," said Rives of his decision. "Something like this only comes around every so often. I shared their enthusiasm, and it looked like a great match."\nRives will face a new challenge in Missouri. The school is constructing a $50 million performing arts center, scheduled to open in 2003. Rives will be in charge of all long-term and day-to-day operations of the facility when it is completed. \n"They're looking for somebody to come in and literally start from scratch," Rives said.\nRives is no stranger to construction projects. He guided the 60-year-old, 3,154 seat IU Auditorium through a $12.5 million dollar renovation that closed it for 20 months, beginning in December 1997. The renovations included infrastructure upgrades, improved accessibility and aesthetic improvements, including the restoration of the Thomas Hart Benton mural.\nA relatively narrow field such as auditorium management presents a limited field of candidates when a new position opens. But Rives says he and UMSL found "a great match" with each other.\n"We interviewed dozens of the top performing arts managers from around the nation," said University of Missouri-St. Louis Vice Chancellor Reinhard Schuster in a press release. "Bryan possessed the right combination of energy, experience and innovation. He's ideal for our situation."\nIndiana Memorial Union Executive Director Winston Shindell said Rives will be missed.\n"Bryan brought a great deal of energy and creativity to the Auditorium," he said. "We have greatly expanded the number of performances per year, as well as the variety."\nIn his time at IU, Rives increased Auditorium season subscriptions from 800 to more than 3,800. More than 50 percent of those subscribers are now students.\n"It's something we had very much wanted to do," said Shindell of the increased student attendance. Shindell said Rives' success at improving attendance has allowed the Auditorium to become more independent from the University.\n"We've been able to return more funds to the University," Shindell said.\nThe next step for the Auditorium is the search for a new General Manager. During the search process, Facility and Events Manager Doug Booher will step in as interim general manager.\n"Bryan has been a great friend and mentor," said Booher, who also came to the Auditorium six years ago.\nBooher will take charge of the Auditorium as it books shows for the 2002-03 season. Shows are typically booked in December, January and February and confirmed in March. \nBooher said while Rives will be missed, it's a great opportunity.\n"Having worked so closely with him through the renovation, I know the idea and opportunity for him to open his own building is too good to pass up," he said.\nAlthough Rives is looking forward to his new job, he said he'll be sorry to leave Bloomington.\n"I didn't know Bloomington existed before I interviewed for the job," he said. "But I just fell in love with it."\nWorking in St. Louis will allow Rives to stay in the Midwest.\n"I really don't have a desire to go to New York or L.A. -- I love the Midwest," he said. "(Leaving Bloomington) was a choice I had to think hard about. I've absolutely loved living in Bloomington and the staff. Working with Mr. Shindell has been one of the best experiences -- I wish I could take him to St. Louis with me"