
Most cities are represented by a distinctive fixture. For example, Winston-Salem has its teapot, Thomasville has its giant chair, and High Point has Dave Briggs who, for the past 13 years, has served as director of High Point Theatre and one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders.
Dave is a native of Ohio and holds degrees from Muskingum University, Pittsburgh State University, and UNCG. Along the way, his journey in theatre management has taken him from Lenoir and Hickory to Baton Rouge before landing in High Point.
Over the years Dave has brought top-flight talent to the area, presenting every genre of the performing arts from bluegrass to Broadway, from comedy to classical, and from dance to drama. He’s even turned the spotlight on a number of cultural icons from the world of television including Ben Vereen (Roots), Hal Linden (Barney Miller), Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie), Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island), and Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley).
But as good as Dave is at booking performers, he’s even better at bringing visitors and dollars into the city. During his tenure, theatre attendance has grown from 40,000 patrons per year to over 70,000 annually. Moreover, the theatre’s economic impact on High Point has increased from $4.5 million dollars to over $13.5 million dollars per year.
Dave is also a tireless ambassador for High Point, serving on a number of regional, statewide, and national arts boards, and making regular appearances on Triad Today. Using my connection with the latter, I contacted Dave and got him to talk about his career.
Jim: Did you have an interest in music and theatre as a child?
Dave: Not really. I was a sports fanatic. I played baseball, soccer, football, basketball, and tennis. I discovered my love for theatre in my freshman year of high school when I was cast in a mystery spoof. I’ve always enjoyed singing and all kinds of music from Vivaldi to the Rolling Stones.
Jim: What led you to a career in theatre management?
Dave: It was something of a wonderful accident. In college, I was a theatre major and helped bring concerts to campus. I also had some wonderful experiences with actors like Mercedes McCambridge, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, and Victor Buono. They taught me a lot about perseverance and going after my dreams. I taught high school for four years, then served as production manager at Wilkes Community College. After working on the tech side of the industry I knew I would prefer working in management. My next job was at Lenoir-Rhyne where I was a combination technical director/auditorium manager. There, I was able to increase community engagement and increased rentals for the college by tenfold. I also handled their contract negotiations for artists and contracting. The road then led to the Broyhill Center in Lenoir, the Shaw Center in Baton Rouge, and back here to run High Point Theatre.
Jim: What attracted you to the job at High Point Theatre?
Dave: I had been deeply involved in North Carolina Presenters and had worked with Louisa Hart to help her bring artists to High Point over the years. She called and asked if I’d like to come back to this area. I applied and the rest is history.
Jim: How did you manage to keep High Point Theatre going during the Covid pandemic?
Dave: We stayed busy doing various projects that had been on hold. Painting, carpet replacement, working with artists, agents, managers, and colleagues to try to keep up morale. We were fortunate that city management did not put us in mothballs, which meant that once things started clearing up we were able to hit the ground running. We also installed live stream gear so we could keep some of our dance competitions and recital business going. It was a very challenging time and many of my colleagues and their venues did not survive.
Jim: You’ve always booked a diverse selection of performers every season…racially, culturally, and categorically. Was that by design?
Dave: Yes, it is by design. We present for the whole community, so I try to bring in a wide variety of quality artists and shows. I’m very proud of the work my team and I have done in that regard.
Jim: What are your plans now?
Dave: I’ve started Dave’s Arts Management Network, where I’ll be working with non-profit groups, municipalities, and smaller arts agencies in developing business strategies, and even advising on theatre design and the purchase of technical equipment.
Jim: You’ve been appearing on Triad Today since 2016, both as a spokesperson for High Point Theatre and as a member of the Roundtable. Did you mind me giving you the title of “Mr. Theatre?”
Dave: I’m flattered by that moniker. It’s fun to have patrons come into the theatre and call me “Mr. Theatre.” It means that the information we provide on Triad Today is reaching them. Many of them like that I provide counterpoint on the Round Table as well.
Fortunately for us, Dave isn’t leaving the Triad. He will run his new business from High Point, and that’s a relief because it’s hard to replace a community fixture.
For more information about Dave’s Arts Management Network, visit DavesArtsManagement.net or call 336-880-1075.
Mr. Theatre Exits the Stage
Most cities are represented by a distinctive fixture. For example, Winston-Salem has its teapot, Thomasville has its giant chair, and High Point has Dave Briggs who, for the past 13 years, has served as director of High Point Theatre and one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders.
Dave is a native of Ohio and holds degrees from Muskingum University, Pittsburgh State University, and UNCG. Along the way, his journey in theatre management has taken him from Lenoir and Hickory to Baton Rouge before landing in High Point.
Over the years Dave has brought top-flight talent to the area, presenting every genre of the performing arts from bluegrass to Broadway, from comedy to classical, and from dance to drama. He’s even turned the spotlight on a number of cultural icons from the world of television including Ben Vereen (Roots), Hal Linden (Barney Miller), Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie), Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island), and Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley).
But as good as Dave is at booking performers, he’s even better at bringing visitors and dollars into the city. During his tenure, theatre attendance has grown from 40,000 patrons per year to over 70,000 annually. Moreover, the theatre’s economic impact on High Point has increased from $4.5 million dollars to over $13.5 million dollars per year.
Dave is also a tireless ambassador for High Point, serving on a number of regional, statewide, and national arts boards, and making regular appearances on Triad Today. Using my connection with the latter, I contacted Dave and got him to talk about his career.
Fortunately for us, Dave isn’t leaving the Triad. He will run his new business from High Point, and that’s a relief because it’s hard to replace a community fixture.
For more information about Dave’s Arts Management Network, visit DavesArtsManagement.net or call 336-880-1075.