Alison Barry is new director of Ticket Office

The appointment of a new manager and the installation of a computerized ticketing system are among the recent changes at the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office.

Alison Barry has been appointed ticketing and customer service manager for the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office.

Alison Barry has been named ticketing and customer service manager for the ticket office effective with the start of the fall semester.

Ms. Barry had served as the director of ticketing for Chautauqua Institution since 2002, where she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of ticket operations. Prior to that, she spent five years as the treasurer and box office manager for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A graduate of Houghton College, Ms. Barry earned a bachelor of science degree in management. As the ticketing and customer service manager, she will oversee all aspects of ticketing for performing arts events and transportation services.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to a performing arts center,” Ms. Barry said of her new position. “That’s where my heart is.”

A native of Jamestown, Ms. Barry resides there with her husband, Len, who works for the Chautauqua County Arts Council, and their children, Kate, 6, and Peter, 3.

“We are delighted to have Alison Barry on board,” said Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center Director Jefferson Westwood.

Two other major changes have been implemented with regard to the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office.

The first is that the management of the Ticket Office has been transferred from the Office of Campus Life to Rockefeller Arts Center.

This follows the predominant model on university campuses, bringing the ticketing office for performing arts events under the direction of the performing arts center.

The change in oversight will also create a new opportunity for students. Mr. Westwood said a course in box office practicum will be offered to give students hands-on experience in ticket office operations.

“This change will allow us to integrate the operation of the ticket office with the university’s undergraduate program in Arts Administration,” Mr. Westwood said.

The second major change is an upgrade of the computer system used for purchasing tickets. This comes via a $40,000 investment on the part of the campus administration.

A new computerized ticketing system, “TyTix,” has been installed and is in use.

TyTix is a networked system that will allow for the sale of computerized tickets at five campus locations including King Concert Hall, Marvel Theatre and Bartlett Theatre at Rockefeller Arts Center; the Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall in Mason Hall; and the ticket office in the Williams Center.

By January 2008, the new system will also allow for real-time, select-your-own-seat ticket sales over the Internet.

Among the other features of the new ticketing system is the ability to provide an integrated database for fundraising and marketing, as well as ticketing.

The TyTix system is used at more than 75 arts centers, theatres and other venues across North America, including the Wharton Center at Michigan State University, the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Mr. Westwood said there may be “a few speed bumps” as the new technology is implemented, but there is a great deal of excitement about the possibilities it brings.

“Over the course of the next two years, we plan to enhance campus ticketing in a number of ways,” Mr. Westwood said. “We’re asking for everyone’s patience as we all learn how the new software works.”