Marcus Center picks Kendra Whitlock Ingram as president, chief executive officer

When she was younger, Kendra Whitlock Ingram had a "strong vision" that she would become a music teacher.

Instead, grounded in the viola and piano, she was drawn to the backstage world of helping run performing arts organizations during a career that has spanned more than 20 years and taken her to places like Baltimore, Omaha and Denver.

And now, Ingram has landed in Milwaukee as president and chief executive officer of Marcus Performing Arts Center.

Her appointment was officially announced Wednesday. Ingram, who is currently executive director of the University of Denver's Newman Center for the Performing Arts, will start in Milwaukee in March.

She will replace Paul Mathews, who is retiring after 21 years of running the Marcus Center.

During a telephone interview from Denver, Ingram was ebullient about the prospects for the Marcus Center.

"This is a good gig," she said. "It's a really great organization and a good family. I'm very, very excited."

Ingram will take over during a crucial period for the Marcus Center, amid a planned renovation project and the upcoming loss of a key tenant, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which will move into a new venue in 2020.

Laura Gough, chair of the Marcus Center Board, said: "We hired Kendra because of her experience, her national presence, her vision.

"She will be a breath of fresh air and welcomed to Milwaukee. I think everyone will be really, really impressed with Kendra."

Gough said a national search produced a strong field and well over 40 applications were reviewed.

Gough said Ingram is "a passionate member of the performing arts community, is a musician herself and has garnered a strong national reputation for innovative programming. I think all of that aligns well with the future of the Marcus Center."

At Denver's Newman Center, which she joined in November 2016, Ingram increased subscription packages by 200% and ran budget surpluses. She also put together diverse programming, including in dance and jazz, while also reaching out beyond the university community.

Previously, Ingram was vice president of programming and education at the Omaha Performing Arts Center. She also had leadership roles with the Shenandoah Conservatory, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Tulsa Philharmonic.

She is a board member of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals and previously was a member of The Broadway League's diversity committee.

"Diversity and inclusion for the arts have always been something that interests me," she said. "I am a woman of color myself. Particularly in the classical music industry this is something, you know, there's not a lot of people who look like me. It's starting to grow."

Ingram will have plenty on her plate as she takes over. 

The Marcus Center has unveiled plans for a re-imagined campus and new seating in Uihlein Hall. But they have been on hold until the hiring of a new chief executive.

"I am going to work hand in hand with the board and leadership team and the staff to determine what the next steps are," Ingram said. "I think there have been some priorities outlined, and that's probably going to be the first thing that we review once I get there."

Ingram will also have to plug a programming and financial hole resulting from the symphony moving to its new performance center next year, the former Warner Grand Theatre.

In the last three fiscal years, the MSO paid more than $1 million annually to the Marcus Center for rent and other expenses.

Ingram said "it's great for the arts community" that the symphony is able to have its own space.

"That's one of the things that attracted me to the city," she said. "There is so much going on."

There's plenty going on at the Marcus Center, a key stop for Broadway tours and a home to the Milwaukee Ballet Company, Florentine Opera Company, First Stage and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra 

Ingram said the symphony's move gives the Marcus Center "an opportunity for us to discuss different types of programming, diversify our genres and offerings that are missing in the marketplace. And also expand our community access."

She said one of the things she heard from board and staff is "the organization's commitment to making the Marcus Center the community performing arts center. So we have a great opportunity to do that we these additional dates."