Alumni in the Arts

The team at The Bushnell in Hartford has more in common than only their workplace — many graduated from the universities of the Connecticut State University System to work at one of the state’s premier performing arts centers.

Lisa Lucente, Program Coordinator at The Bushnell, graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2008 with a major in communications and minor in journalism. She enjoyed studying media at Central but discovered one component was missing from her studies — entertainment.

So while a senior, she took an internship as a production assistant at The Bushnell where she worked on productions such as Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man — 50th Anniversary Tribute with Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy.

In this internship, she gained valuable experience in areas like theatrical administration and event planning – but most importantly — the internship gave her industry contacts. After graduation, she remained at The Bushnell as a temporary worker until a position became available. Now, her responsibilities include helping to book The Bushnell’s season. She does everything from renting space and budgeting to event logistics and working with promoters. She also works with localarts organizations.

“There is never a dull moment here — especially with the return of Jersey Boys and a visit from the Cake Boss. “Communications played a huge role in what I do; I feel lucky to work at a place I love,” she said.


Beth Wik Hyland, Associate Director, Marketing at The Bushnell, graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1995 with a degree in communication and a minor in business. She began her studies in accounting at Eastern and soon got an internship at a radio station, wrote television copy and joined the drama club.

After graduation she began working in the marketing department of a bank, but eventually got a job at Goodspeed Opera House as marketing and public relations manager. There, she worked among a creative group of people that included writers, directors and choreographers. While at Goodspeed, she developed contacts in the statewide arts community and then joined The Bushnell’s marketing department.

Now, she oversees the Bushnell’s Broadway subscription campaign, works with media to determine the best way to sell a show, directs graphic design and works closely with Lucente and the rest of the programming department.

Her colleague, Paige Abrams, Director of Facility Sales and Service, also graduated from Eastern in 1989 with a degree in elementary education. Abrams did some teaching, but after graduation, it was] difficult to obtain a teaching job. An opportunity became available at The Bushnell, and she has since been at the organization for 18 years.

She began her career there as a programming assistant, moved through different areas of the organization, and now works in special events and hospitality since The Bushnell’s new building opened in 2001. “It has been a wonderful experience to be here 18 years,” said Abrams.

Now, with her vast institutional knowledge, she oversees the area of special events that includes catering and corporate membership sales. Abrams said The Bushnell’s 45 full-time employees work closely together.

Joan Zieky, Corporate Trade Coordinator at The Bushnell, graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1974 with a major in psychology and special education.

Zieky has worked at The Bushnell for 12 years, in an atmosphere she describes as pleasant, exciting and always challenging. In her position, she works creatively with companies in a type of barter system. With trade partnerships, Zieky helps corporations, restaurants, hotels and other businesses promote their goods and services in exchange for goods and services integral to The Bushnell’S day-to-day operations.

Before The Bushnell, she worked as director of advertising at Westfarms Mall where it was common practice to trade event promotion for media exposure, so at The Bushnell, she had the opportunity to take trade partnerships to the next level. Businesses can, for example, trade services like hotel accommodations or limo service for website visibility, playbill inserts or logo placement on ticket backs.

The skills she learned at Southern, she said, were valuable throughout her career in positions ranging from work at an advertising agency to being a photographer’s stylist. Her career path, she said, has been defined by a network of relationships and new opportunities.

“Psychology is a good background to have, especially for conflict resolution and crisis management,” she said. “What I do now is intuitive — like knowing how to direct a conversation and when to pitch.”