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Don't Worry; Change is Good
and how to find your favorite Phipps event in 3 seconds flat ⏰
Ben Thietje
May 01, 2025 • Est. Reading Time: 10 minutes
Hello! I’m Ben, executive director at the Phipps.
Welcome to The Flying P, a weekly newsletter covering your Phipps Center for the Arts and anything else I might want to throw your way.
👆 How you should be feeling if you have tickets to The SpongeBob Musical this weekend (which closes on Sunday, bee tee dubs). GO SEE IT!
This issue has…
🌱 An Office Plant Update
I know you need it💻 A Website Refresh
with a blog and everything🎨 High School Artwork
these kids are just the best
SAUSAGE-MAKING
Website redesign alert!
those kids are the happiest
If you’re a dedicated reader of the P, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, as I touched on it two weeks ago — but it’s finally here — a Phipps online refresh!
God bless our previous design, but a couple years ago we had a website audit done, and our old site failed miserably. So I reached out to our good pal, Mary Shaffer, and she agreed to work hard with us for several weeks on something that would make the Phipps web presence more fun, functional, and attractive. I think we did that; hopefully you agree.
Some adjustments (other than the nifty design) include:
Securing tickets inside of the Phipps Website
When purchasing tickets on the old site, you were kicked off to another website entirely. In fact, this will continue happening through the end of our current season (see what I mean by purchasing tickets to our organ event in June). With the new site, however, you’ll remain on thephipps.org during your ticket-buying process, which just makes things easier on you.
Check out the season archives
In the footer of each page is a Season Archives section where we can keep a list of past seasons and look back on them with fondness.
We have a Phipps blog
Remember blogs? Well, we have one now. This is where we’ll post the Marquee and any other news we think you might need and/or want.
If you haven’t already, check out the new site and let me know your thoughts…especially if you find a typo. 😬
PHIPPS TOP 4
best-selling upcoming events this season by tickets sold…
1. The SpongeBob Musical (previously: 1)
2. Cabaret Night at the Phipps - spring (previously: 2)
3. A Wurlitzer Red White and Blue Spectacular (previously: 3)
4. Stand-Up Junior (previously: 4)
BETTER HURRY LIST
best-selling upcoming events this season by percent sold
(i.e., closest to being sold out)…
1. Cabaret Night at the Phipps - spring (❗literally 2 tickets left❗)
2. A Wurlitzer Red White and Blue Spectacular (previously: 2)
3. The SpongeBob Musical (previously: 3)
4. Stand-Up Junior (previously: 4)
EVENTS
New season alert!
Again: as a reader of the P, you’re an absolute insider, so this probably isn’t news, but…THE 2025/26 SEASON HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!
As you can see from the image above, we highlight the events in our season that we produce (the stuff we create here at the Phipps), but the season as a whole consists of events we bring in from outside artists, too: theatre, concerts, gallery work — it’s nuts. Use the link above to check out ALL OF IT.
Season Passes are on sale now (some of you call them season tickets or subscriptions…packages) and that’s all that will be on sale until Monday, May 12th. That’s when individual tickets will also go on sale. This is your hint to grab a Season Pass and secure those perfect JHP seats before anyone else gets their grubby little hands on them.
Speaking of Season Passes, we have a few brand-new series for you to explore! Check out these beauties:
Opening Night Series
Kick off another Phipps theatre production with a special celebration in the lobby! After the show, join fellow theatre lovers for drinks, snacks, and a chance to mingle with the cast and creative team. Whether you're toasting a spectacular performance or chatting about your favorite moments, this is the perfect way to keep the energy of the evening alive. Come for the show, stay for the party!
Adventure Series
Dare to be bold with the Adventure Series! This Phipps experience is designed for those who love to step outside their comfort zone and experience the unexpected. Purchase the Adventure Series pass, attend every event in the lineup, and earn your place on the Adventure Wall of Fame — a super special recognition for those who complete this Phipps challenge. Whether it’s theatre, music, or something entirely new, this series is for the true arts adventurer. The only question is: are you up for the adventure?
Pipes & Pops Series
Classic music meets classic snacks in this fun-filled concert series. Enjoy the breathtaking sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ in three spectacular performances — each paired with a deliciously unique popcorn flavor. And maybe even a surprise soda (or “pop”) to match! From sweet and savory to bold and unexpected, every concert is a feast for the ears and the taste buds. Come experience the fun of Pipes & Pops!
Opening Night fan? We’re gonna give you cake and champagne. Organ fan? You get specialty popcorn. Love the adventurous stuff? We’re literally going to put your name on a Hall of Fame plaque. WE LOVE OUR PASSHOLDERS.
So yeah…try a specialty Pass this year. It’ll be fun and you’ll save some money.
artist: Lilly Benzer, grade 12
👆
my favorite gallery piece of the week
This is Human Form Sculpture by Lilly Benzer (daughter of one of our Welcome Center Guest Services Associates btw), who is a senior at Hudson High School. Isn’t this great?!
The high schoolers have taken over the galleries, people, and I am here for it. Swing by to see the work of these young artists now thru May 18th.
SAUSAGE-MAKING
New ticketing system alert!
search and filter and calendar OH MY
We’ll be using a new ticketing system going forward, and that means things might look and feel a little different when you purchase tickets this season. Hopefully, you’ll find it to be a smoother experience. If not, let us know.
One of my favorite features of the new system is its search functionality (see image above). You no longer have to endlessly scroll through the 30-something Phipps events to find the one you want. There are several filters you can now select. Only looking for musicals? Filter everything else out. Only want concerts? Filter everything else out. It makes finding events a whole lot easier. There’s a search bar, too, where you can start typing the title you’re looking for and it’ll instantly pop up for you. Magic!
Lastly, if you’re the type of person who prefers to look at an actual calendar, we’ve got you covered. Click the little calendar icon to the right of the search bar — BAM! — all of our events listed in a handy-dandy calendar.
Additionally, you can now have your tickets texted to you, put them in your Apple or Google wallets, pay via tap with your card or phone (OOOHLALA)…all sorts of new tech goodies. It’s like it’s 2025 or something!
I hope you enjoy this new system, but ya know…change is hard. Hit me up if you’re having trouble. I’d be happy to help!
peace lily or beast lily?
My office peace lily is picking up right where it left off last summer with THREE blooms so far already. I’m going to keep giving you updates on this plant because I just know you’re sitting on pins and needles about it. 😊
Are you the smartest PCA person in town?
Prove it by completing The Flying C(rossword).
👇
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Talk to you next week!
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