Plaza unveils its Web site 2.0

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW January 08, 2009 09:37 am

— In an effort to reach a younger audience, the Plaza Theatre has added some new features to its Web site.
“We’re trying to touch base with the more younger crowd, the 20s, the 30s and even the teens,” said Steve Jones, theater director.
M.D. Armstrong, a member of the theater’s advisory board of directors, explained the board is trying to reach the younger generation, because they tend not to patronize the theater.
“We’re trying to reach all age groups,” he said, adding the theater doesn’t want to cater to just one age group. “We’re hoping younger people, as well as older people will enjoy what we’re having there.”
The theater’s Web site now features Facebook, as well as a MySpace page.
“We also have a Twitter account,” Jones said.
Twitter is a free service that similar to instant messaging.
“It’s generally used for the Web and text messaging on phones,” Jones said.
He can use Twitter to alert Plaza patrons of changes in schedules, or to make announcements.
“If something happens like the Eddie Miles show that had to be canceled, I can send a Twitter message (about it),” he said.
Messages sent via Twitter can be no larger than 140 characters.
“It’s just for short, bold text messages. It sends it to the phones of all the people, so it’s like an instant way to update a real quick, brief message,” Jones said.
The theater has also installed a TikiWiki program, which is software that allows the theater to add a lot of interactivity to the Web site.
Theater patrons can complete forms online via TikiWiki and they can even chat.
“It also has image galleries and file galleries,” he said, adding that patrons will be able to create their own pages, make comments, or start a blog on the theater’s Web site. “Eventually, you can allow permission for people to upload files, pictures and all that kind of stuff.”
Patrons will also be able to create fan pages.
“That’s the last thing we will turn on, because that will require close monitoring,” he said.
Jones noted that in order to use these new features, patrons must register by using their e-mail addresses.
“There’s no anonymous posting, but there is anonymous viewing,” he said.
Visit the theater’s Web site at http://www.plaza.org

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