News
January 30, 2020Proctors Collaborative Announces UPH Leadership
In advance of the Feb. 29 opening of Universal Preservation Hall (UPH), Proctors Collaborative announced today the appointment of Dorothy “Teddy” Foster and Mary Beth McGarrahan to two of the performing arts facility’s primary leadership roles. The pair will be crucial in overseeing day-to-day operations and facility management as the venue prepares for its highly anticipated first season of programming.
Foster will assume the role of director at UPH. She will oversee the coordination of all aspects of the organization, including rentals, daily operations, fundraising and performances. Foster will work with all departments of Proctors Collaborative to reach the goal of making UPH the centerpiece of downtown Saratoga Springs.
Foster, who served as volunteer chair of the not-for-profit throughout the venue’s renovation, provided leadership to transition into the relationship with Proctors Collaborative. For the past four years, she served as capital campaign director, leading the $10 million project to this successful conclusion.
Mary Beth McGarrahan, whose long affiliation with UPH includes dedicated support of the organization’s pre-restoration program and capital campaign, has been appointed the building’s operations manager. Mary Beth will be responsible for audience services and volunteer management, technical, systems and maintenance matters as well as event management.
“As we approach UPH’s grand opening date, I know I speak for everyone involved when I say how thrilled we are to unveil this transformative project to the residents and visitors of Saratoga Springs and the Greater Capital Region,” Foster said. “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to serve as this beautiful new facility’s director, and look forward to welcoming our community in to experience this unbelievable performance space.”
“Having watched this spectacular renovation project come to fruition over the past decade, words can’t describe our excitement as we prepare to open the doors of a venue the likes of which our area has never seen,” McGarrahan said. “From the beginning, this project has been a labor of love, and I couldn’t be more honored to have this chance to play a leadership role as we introduce the newest addition to our community’s vibrant arts scene.”
UPH will reopen on Sat., Feb. 29 with a performance by Rosanne Cash and multiple following events to show off the new space.
Designed primarily as a performing arts venue, the intimate facility is one of the region’s only in-the-round music halls, with no seat more than 60 ft away from the centrally located stage. A complete listing of events, as well as ticketing and additional venue information, can be found on the UPH website.
