Annual Report

The Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center is a regional performing arts center overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers in Paducah, Kentucky. The “Four Rivers” refer to the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi Rivers and the region surrounding them.

Since we opened in 2004, over 500,000 people have enjoyed performances and events at the “Carson Center,” one of the most beautiful and versatile performing arts facilities in the nation. Founders devoted 10 years to dreaming, planning, designing, and raising the funds to build the facility. With its 10-story stage tower and magnificent glass and brick façade – the Carson Center is a landmark of historic downtown Paducah.

The mission is to enhance the quality of life of the adults and children of the Four Rivers region and beyond by providing diverse programming through public and private events that will entertain and educate for years to come. While most of our audiences come from throughout western Kentucky and parts of Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Indiana – the Carson Center is a gathering place for people from throughout the country, and even other nations. Residents of 38 states purchased tickets last season.

Some of the world’s best performing artists sing, dance, act, and entertain from our stage. We present a Broadway Series, Carson Series, and Class Acts Education Series. To increase the number and variety of performances, we rent the theatre to other presenters. As the official orchestra-in-residence, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra presents its season at the Carson Center. Educating, entertaining, and inspiring audiences through the performing arts is our primary mission; however – we rent our theatre, lobbies, rooms, and terrace for high school proms and graduations, wedding receptions, seminars, corporate and economic development functions, and community events.

The Carson Center has a total square footage of 97,750 on two levels. The 1,806-seat theatre includes a main floor and two balconies. Superb staging and acoustics in the theatre complement an exquisite venue.

2007-08 Board of Directors		Carson Center Staff as of 11-1-08
John A. Willaims, Sr., Chair Dr. Ted Borodofsky, Chair Emeritus Paula Bright Betty Brockway Dr. Harry Carloss Jeanne Davis Alex Edwards Juliette Grumley Mary Katz* Mike Livingston* Linda Miller Annie Hale Mills Brig. Gen. Bill Morgan Scott Powell, Vice Chair* Dona Rains Cindy Ragland Mariowen Reed Barry Smith Debbie Stone* Michael Stone, Vice Chair* Sandra Wilson, Secretary* Clyde Wills	Ex-Officio: Judge Van Newberry Mayor Bill Paxton Directors Emeritus: Irv Bright Betty Cook (deceased) Pat Geveden Anne Gwinn Judge J. William Howerton Thomas Mathues Jerry Page David Perry Joe Powell * Executive Committee		Brian Laczko, Executive Director Crystal Dickson Jeff Foreman Bill Fox Nina Gregory Leigh Hanle Amy Johnson Nevada Kennedy Lisa Lauck Darla Parrish Patti Pearson Craig Rothwell Joe Searcy Amber Spresser Chuck Tate Debbie Wattier

2008-09 Incoming Directors	2008-09 Officers:
Mark Workman Tom Miller, Paducah Symphony Rep*	Michael Stone, Chair Paula Bright, Vice Chair Barry Smith, Vice Chair Sandra Wilson, Sec'y. Mary Katz, At-Large Executive Committee Mike Livingston, At-Large Executive Committee
2008-09 Outgoing Directors	Committee Chairs
Annie Hale Mills Mariowen Reed Debbie Stone, Paducah Symphony Rep*	Planned Giving - Scott Powell Investment Committee - Paula Bright