J. Casey Soward
President & CEO |Boch Center
Casey Soward takes over as president and CEO of Boch Center, Boston’s biggest independent theater group and which includes the Wang and Shubert Theatres, this month after nearly a decade as executive director of The Cabot Performing Arts Center in Beverly, Massachusetts. While there, Soward led major renovations and expansions in programming and education initiatives that teed him up for his new position.
“First, we increased the number of performances at The Cabot by nearly 20 percent, which significantly boosted our visibility, audience engagement and revenue,” Soward said.
A highlight this year was the launch of The Cabot’s Secret Members Only Show program.
“This unique offering not only allowed us to bring in high-caliber acts that would typically be restricted by radius clauses but also fostered an exclusive experience for our members,” Soward said. “It strengthened our membership community, creating excitement and loyalty around our brand while reinforcing the value of being a Cabot member.”
The venue also raised $1.5 million through the Big Night fundraiser with Jay Leno, which demonstrated the venue’s ability to bring in major talent and leverage community relationships to have an impact on their capital improvement goals.
“One of the biggest challenges over the past year has been navigating the highly competitive Boston-area market for live entertainment,” explained Soward.
Despite the booking challenges, Soward believes that consumer confidence and demand for live events is strong and believes that trend will continue.
“However, the landscape continues to evolve, and we need to remain agile and responsive to shifting consumer behaviors,” he said.
Looking ahead to the Boch Center, Soward is focused on sustainability and green initiatives, the integration of new technology including improved ticketing platforms, and venue programming that is inclusive and diverse. He is also looking forward to expanding the Center’s many educational outreach programs and exploring the future of the Folk Roots Americana Hall of Fame.
“This initiative celebrates the diverse history of American music and creates an opportunity to connect audiences with the rich cultural heritage behind the genres we love,” Soward said.
Soward is ready for the challenge and ready to apply key learnings from The Cabot to Boch Center.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to take the knowledge and experience I’ve gained and apply it on a larger scale, further contributing to the live entertainment industry and the local community in Boston,” he said. — Wendy Pearl
