Ole Miss Musings: Kindness And Courage Lead Ford Center Director To Success

Julia Aubrey, director of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts and director of Opera Theatre is taking the “ARTS” at Ole Miss to levels never envisioned. Here is a concise look into this visionary’s background and her future plans.

HottyToddy.com: Julia, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit with us. Share with our readers about your pre-Ole Miss history and how this has prepared you for today.
Julia Aubrey: I have been involved in music and theatre my entire life. I worked in the private sector and was a professional performer and director. Before I was hired in 1995 as Director of Opera Theatre and Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Mississippi, I earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Arts in Theatre at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and taught there one year. All my experiences, both practical and educational, helped prepare me to teach at the university and share my love of music and theatre with the Oxford community.
HottyToddy.com: Behind every successful person is typically a supportive family. Tell us about yours.
Julia Aubrey: My husband, Dr. Robert Aubrey, is a singer, conductor, and music educator. Because he is a musician, we have had the opportunity to share many, many experiences in the arts. The best part of that life together is our children and they share our love of music and theatre. Our son Michael’s career is in international economics, but he played clarinet for the pit orchestras for shows we directed/conducted. Miles was in Jersey Boys on Broadway for nine years and now is a professional guitarist in Nashville. His wife, Erica, is a professional singer and voice teacher. Jory is also a musician and air traffic controller. His wife, Leslie, and their three sons are all musicians and enjoy singing together at home and in church. My parents made sure all of their eight children received musical training. As you can see, that tradition runs deep in our family and continues into future generations.
HottyToddy.com: The Ford Center has brought some exceptional performances recently to the campus. Which ones looking back to 2016 were the most popular?
Julia Aubrey: We began the 2016 season with Annie, which attracted a sold-out crowd. We received rave reviews for Midtown Men that featured the original stars of Jersey Boys. Another highlight was beginning the fall of 2016 with Lewis Black, the first comedian to appear at the Ford Center. One of my favorite shows was the Grammy award-winning ensemble, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. And, I was proud of the presentation of Carmina Burana by our own UM choir and orchestra.
HottyToddy.com: This year is now in high gear with the spring semester off and running. What performances can we look forward to between now and graduation?
Julia Aubrey: We just presented a wonderful show, In the Mood, a 1940’s Musical Revue. The audience loved it and got a nice surprise at the end with a rendition of the Ole Miss fight song by the band and singers. Next up is the Fauré Quartett, internationally renown classical musicians, and the delightful play based on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile. Everybody loves a Broadway musical and 42nd Street is as spectacular as it gets. I am biased of course, but the UM Opera Theatre’s production of Albert Herring is a great English comedy and one that everyone will love even if they think they don’t like opera. We end the season with the beautiful ballet, Sleeping Beauty, by the Russian National Ballet.

HottyToddy.com: The Ford Center is attracting diverse audiences. Do you plan to continue this trend or would you rather focus more on attractions that appeal most to students?
Julia Aubrey: I want everyone to feel welcome when they come into the Ford Center. We strive to offer a variety of shows that appeal to diverse artistic tastes. Bringing Camille A. Brown and her dance company to Oxford presents modern dance that appeals to a younger generation and addresses important social issues of concern to our community. There are lectures, university group performances, and other artistic productions beyond our season offerings that provide an enriching experience for students, children, and adults.
HottyToddy.com: Speaking of your staff, how large of a support team do you have to be able to handle all the different tasks?
Julia Aubrey: The Ford Center has a dedicated and skilled staff of eight professionals and one graduate student that support the daily operations. The office staff handles a myriad of tasks that include public relations, marketing, financial management, and building maintenance. Multi-tasking is a given, and they are willing to do whatever needs to be done to make sure the Ford Center runs smoothly every day. Our efficient technical staff handles a wide variety of productions from large Broadway shows to small university lectures. It takes skill and aplomb to guide professionals and amateurs to bring about a successful production. One group that must not be overlooked is our Volunteers who are an integral part of our function. We are grateful for their time and service to our audiences.
HottyToddy.com: How is the Ford Center utilized (if at all) in interacting with those students desiring a career on Broadway or in various support roles in stage and theatre?
Julia Aubrey: Part of the mission of the Ford Center is to provide a superior venue and support for student performers. Having the opportunity to perform in the Ford Center is an invaluable experience for our young artists. This is a professional theatre and the students learn what will be expected of them as they enter a career in music and theatre. We also offer students the opportunity to work backstage with part-time employment. This on-the-job training builds confidence and resumes to prepare the students for jobs after graduation.
HottyToddy.com: Surprises often occur in predicting audience sizes. Is there one performance that considerably exceeded your expectations?
Julia Aubrey: We base our program order on the number of tickets sold about three days out. The shows this season have been especially well attended and we are now trying to anticipate a higher walk-up crowd and not be caught short on programs. I would welcome a sold-out house for every show!
HottyToddy.com: Do audiences of 2017 prefer musicals, concerts or Broadway stage productions or a mix of all?
Julia Aubrey: As I contemplate a new season, I plan to bring in shows that appeal to a wide variety of audiences. That will include Broadway shows, classical music, all forms of dance, plays, children’s theatre, and solo acts. I want to increase the number of offerings over the years and include a jazz series, more theatre for children, comedians, and maybe country artists. Oxford has many interests and I am open to hearing ideas on how we can serve our university and community.
HottyToddy.com: For our readers unfamiliar with the amenities of the Ford Center, could you describe those most appealing to both audiences and performers?
Julia Aubrey: The Gertrude C. Ford Center is an extraordinary facility that celebrates the performing arts. Once you visit other venues around the country, you will realize what a gem we have in our own backyard. We have a reputation of being a friendly and highly professional house offering quality programming in a beautiful atmosphere. The acoustics are excellent for the natural voice and instruments, the seats are comfortable, and to make it a more social occasion, we offer wine at intermission. We will celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2018!
HottyToddy.com: Oxford ‘s demographics are now all over the board with alums living here, retirees from all across the nation, young families and some 20,000 students. Does this mix complicate your scheduling or just the opposite by being able to appeal to all groups?
Julia Aubrey: It will be no surprise to you that I believe support for the Arts is a vital part of our society. Fortunately, we have bi-partisan support from our legislators and passionate individuals within our community that understand we need support from our government as well as generous individuals and corporations to keep the Arts pertinent in our community. As the Oxford community grows, I want the Ford Center to grow with it and program shows that resonate with all ages and artistic sensibilities. I have an “open ear” policy as well as an open door policy to let you help me keep the schedule varied and interesting. I am listening!
HottyToddy.com: Let’s fast forward to Christmas, 2017. What could happen this year that would categorize this year as a huge success in your eyes?
Julia Aubrey: Our new Merging Arts Communities initiative, funded by the Kite Foundation, recognizes there is enormous potential for enriching the lives of our community and region through incubation and cultivation of arts projects at the Ford Center. We have a spectacular collaborative project planned on December 1, 2017. The Ford Center will produce the famous one-act opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and the Christmas portion of the Messiah with full orchestra. Performers will be alumni guest artists, university faculty, students, and community members. There will be an invitation at the end to sing along with the “Hallelujah” chorus. This project shares the resources of the university and community and offers the opportunity for all to share a meaningful artistic experience on the stage in the Ford Center.
HottyToddy.com: Please share with us some of the more famous individuals you have met through the years working in your profession.
Julia Aubrey: As President of the National Opera Association, I have had the privilege to meet artists who are considered the best in the world at what they do. That includes Marilyn Horne, Thomas Hampson, Shirley Verrett, Jon Vickers, and Grace Bumbry to name a few. I have also met extraordinary Broadway performers, classical instrumentalists, jazz players, and a few country stars. My observation is that those who are truly at the top of their profession are wonderful people who are passionate about their art and want to share that love with others.
HottyToddy.com: Last but not least, describe the meaning of “success” in order to provide our students a guidepost.
Julia Aubrey: I don’t have a formula for success; I only know what I have learned in my life and career. Family and friends are the most important part of my life. It takes initiative, courage, hard work, and commitment to achieve the goals I set for myself. I had to learn to fail and win, with grace. Truth is absolutely vital to earn respect. Kindness should be my first reaction to any situation. I got to where I am with the help of many, many people and strive to extend that same generosity to others. All this being said, I am still learning!

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Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
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