UNSOLICITED REVIEWS

of our work

Board members were very pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the workshop. Your approach was both collegial and professional and encouraged cooperation from a disparate and independent group. I believe that as a result of the retreat, our Board is in a much stronger position to make decisions in the coming months and years.

- Don Moffat, President

  Toronto Arts Council, 2003

The board was energized by the outcome [of your workshop], and excited about moving forward with a strategic plan that everyone can buy into.

I would also like to say that your style of working with the group was effective, inclusive and motivating.  We really appreciate your efforts, and hope to have the opportunity to work with you again.

- Judy Beaumier, Executive Director

  Ohio Arts Presenters Network, 2001

The more I read this thing, the more value I see in it.  Again and again, I have pulled references from it.  How refreshing to actually have a sensible, well-considered, easily understandable plan!

However, I must say the work you have done has spoiled this organization.  Clear communication, good organization, documented results, value for funds invested -- can you believe it?  Now we expect that from everybody we work with!  Ruined.  We're just ruined.

- Lee Ann Prescott, Executive Director

  Lincoln Theatre, Marion, VA, 1999-2000

. . . thank you for the tremendous amount of hard work and guidance you put into the development of our new strategic plan.  I think all of us here agree that it has been an extraordinary experience, one that taught us more than we had dared even hope for.  It's safe to say that you have broadened our knowledge, focused our vision and energized us toward a future that is indeed ours to create.

- Jim Baudin, President-Elect; Paul Beutel, Executive Director;

  Don Cox, Past President; Bill Willis, President, 

  Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX, 1997-1998        

From The Theatres' Trust Bulletin. . . . Canadian expertise and commitment to historic preservation was magnificently demonstrated in the restoration headed by Janis Barlow at the Siamese twin (one above the other) Winter Garden and Elgin Theatres in Toronto, where, incidentally, as well as restoring faithfully two fine and wonderfully contrasting interiors, old painted scenery was also conserved and displayed.  You will travel far to see work of this quality equalled, let alone surpassed.

- John Earl, Founding Executive Director

  The Theatres' Trust, Great Britain, 1998

Here in Savannah when we have need of an outside theatre consultant, we generally take one of two approaches.  We either hire some fellow with an accent and a beret to come down here and tell us what to do, or we say to ourselves, "ah, hell, let's just get Bubba to do it."

You're somewhere in between the two and, may I say, it's a refreshing change.

- Board Member

  Lucas Theatre, Savannah, GA, 1993
 

In all her work, both in individual and group situations, Janis shows superb listening skills and an excellent ability to synthesize and move a debate forward. She is clearly a firm believer in empowering groups to identify their own priorities and plan for the future.

I have no hesitation in providing the highest recommendation for her skills, understanding and commitment to her area of expertise.

- Nancy Hushion

  Arts Consultant, 1993
 

I can comment from firsthand knowledge on [Janis'] skills as a manager, a coordinator, a driving force within the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres Restoration Project.  The extensive documentation to which I was exposed revealed Janis to be a very clear thinking, well organized, results oriented person who was able to provide strong and effective leadership and drive to make that project a reality.  Some of us felt very strongly that without Janis the project would not have succeeded.

Working with diverse interests, strong egos, political and artistic pressures, Janis was able to make it happen.

Janis is well spoken, courteous, tactful, straight-forward and possessed of a valuable sense of humour so important in a leader.

- Hugh S.D. Paisley

  Former Deputy Director of the Crown Law Office and Public Trustee, 1991

I would have no hesitation recommending Janis Barlow and a consulting team selected by her as project managers for restoration or upgrading of any heritage building.

- John Henderson Moore, F.C.A., Chairman

  Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Committee, 1985-1990

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