Charles Davis wants businesses involved with the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.
That was his message today to members of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce where he was the guest speaker.
Davis is at the theater for 90 days and part of the funding to bring him to Roanoke Rapids was done through a grant from Roanoke Electric, its CEO, Curtis Wynn, said following the presentation.
Roanoke Electric also has office space in the theater for its nonprofit arm which helps and positions minority construction companies, a possible sign construction on land surrounding the theater is forthcoming.
Wynn introduced Davis to the audience. “As a community, we’re fortunate to have his talent to get things running with the theater.”
Davis was brought in to help theater owner Lafayette Gatling with ideas to promote the theater and has been in the area for two weeks.
He said his goal is not only to help the theater prosper, but help the community prosper. “It’s Roanoke Rapids time to grow,” he said.
Davis comes from Biloxi, Miss., small town USA, he said. He has been in the entertainment industry for 15 years, not only working on casino projects in Mississippi, but planning shows like Cirque du Soleil, Lord of the Dance and Broadway shows. He was involved in planning one of the big inaugural balls, he said.
His purpose for speaking at the chamber today was not to introduce himself but to harvest ideas. “I’m really interested in what you guys think. It’s your theater.”
The theater has a show Saturday at 5 p.m. where Percy Sledge is the headliner, Davis said. A rodeo on green space around the theater is planned for Sept. 12 and 13, he said.
Davis is working with the Gatlings to bring acts like Kenny Rogers and Brooks and Dunn to the theater along with a variety of other acts.
The theater is planning to have yearly subscriptions where businesses may buy tickets. “We can have shows catered to you,” he said. “Entertainment has always been a thing to cater to clients to make (your business) grow. We want to get all your comments and see what we can do collectively as we grow to make your business grow.”
Davis said he was not opposed to staying beyond the 90 days to help the theater. He said the theater must look to a regional perspective to help the venue grow.”We have to use small town USA as a selling point,” he said. “We have to market that slant as a selling point.”
Because the casino business was group tour driven, Davis said he knows that aspect of the theater business. He said there are several attractions in the area which lend itself to tour groups such as Sylvan Heights in Scotland Neck. If the theater is successful other businesses in the community will be successful. “I like the slogan this is Carolina crossroads,” he said.
One of the things he addressed when talking about the subscription programs was having certain performances at the venue be sponsored by businesses, especially on shows like the Broadway productions.
Answering a question by The Spin, Davis said he couldn’t comment much on a proposed expansion of the theater. “I think everyone would like to see expansion and see growth. I don’t know that it’s not going to happen. It’s a matter of time. It’s a matter of resources.”
Currently there are no plans to have a house band at the theater, Davis said, like was done when the theater was managed by Randy Parton. “We’re just going to try to bring in shows from the outside. I think that’s been tried already. I’m not sure we might have some house shows at some point.”
Davis said afterward things were going well. “I’m really trying to learn the community and who’s who.”
He reiterated he was willing to stay beyond the 90 days. “If they want me to stay I will probably be willing to stay.”
Davis believes the theater will grow. “I think so,” he said. “It’s a matter of time. The community needs to get behind the theater. It’s a matter of time and planning.”
