AT THE HELM

Patricia Lynch, executive director of The Music Hall in Portsmouth. Photo:  Michael McCord

Patricia Lynch, the executive director of The Music Hall in Portsmouth, asks a question not easily answered: What would the greater Seacoast community be like without a powerhouse resource like The Music Hall?

"It's a bonus for human resource managers in the area to mention The Music Hall to people they are recruiting from outside the area," Lynch told Seacoast Ventures. "We are a well-known center of social life and virtually connected to every part of the (Seacoast) community."

Lynch, known as "Patty" to her colleagues, arrived in town a little more than three years ago in May 2004 and has overseen a major transformation "" in programs, community outreach and historical renovation "" in the region's most renowned performing arts center. A native of the Midwest and a published playwright, the energetic Lynch previously had successful stints as the chief executive officer and artistic director of Brass Tacks Theatre in Minneapolis, Minn., and as executive director of The O'Shaughnessy, the performing arts center at St. Catherine College and the second-largest theatrical venue in the city of St. Paul, Minn.

Lynch said one of her main strengths as a manager and artistic director stems from extensive training in the financial side of the industry "" and she learned as much about accountability and as she did of accounting.

"The math doesn't lie," she said.

Ventures: What does the math tell you about the past three years at The Music Hall?

Lynch: In three years, we've gone from a budget of $1.4 million to $2.8 million; 936 to 2,300 members and attendance from 70,000 to 100,000. I think what we've seen is a renaissance at The Music Hall because people were willing to think bigger than they had. There are so many people who have contributed to this. It's been an honor to be here.

Ventures: What can we learn from the Patricia Lynch management playbook?

Lynch: Being well-rounded. People are often surprised by how much financial acumen I have. I have a combination of good artistic instincts and financial strengths. I understand markets. If you put on programs that don't work, nobody's happy.

I've had 30 years of being in show business trying to create community through the arts; a community from elementary school students that we bring in for workshops to the local business owners who thank us for their increased business.

Ventures: What would you say about yourself as a mentor?

Lynch: I work very hard as a leader to inspire and teach. I've had so many people help me along the way, from a bank vice president who taught me about finances to learning about market demographics and trends (from other corporate leaders). You have to pay it forward. If they (your employees) grow, we're all going to grow.

(For example) I believe in vacations and for people to take them because we are not indispensable. You can't seize opportunities if you can't take a break and get some needed perspective. If I can't get (the employees) to understand this, then I've failed.

Ventures: When do you find time to write?

Lynch: I'm very disciplined. I've had to be.

Ventures: After three years, what's your assessment of the region and The Music Hall's place in it?

Lynch: This is like the Bay Area (San Francisco) because it has a well-rounded cultural experience but with a much more manageable human scale. I love the Seacoast, I love this community. If you took The Music Hall away there would be a big void in that experience.