ABOUT US
VenuWorks Founder and President Steve Peters has partnered with international singer and producer Michael Londra to create VenuWorks Theatricals, a new company focused on producing unique theatrical events and summer series on Broadway and in tandem with VenuWorks current programming.
STEVE PETERS
Steven L. Peters is the founder and president of VenuWorks. He holds both a BA and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa. He began his career in 1976 in Dubuque, Iowa as manager of the Five Flags Center. He managed the Iowa State Center on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, IA and the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN before being named a vice president of Ogden Entertainment, an international venue services company based in New York City. In 1996, Steve left Ogden to form VenuWorks (originally called Compass Facility Management), a company he created to better serve the unique management and operational challenges of mid-market facilities. Today VenuWorks provides management services to over fifty theatres, arenas, conference centers, stadiums and outdoor amphitheaters in twelve states.
Steve has always had a passion for theatre. In 2010 he partnered with Michael Brindisi and Tamara Kangas Erickson in the purchase of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in suburban Minneapolis, the largest and oldest Equity dinner theatre in the US. In 2014, VenuWorks co-produced the Tony winning Broadway revival of YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU staring James Earl Jones. That same year, Steve co-founded Touring Theatre Associations, producing top quality musical theatre tours throughout America. In 2016, Steve is partnering with international performer and producer Michael Londra to create VenuWorks Theatricals to bring new musical and theatrical projects to the stage.
Steve is a Past President of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). In 2015, he was recognized with IAVM’s Charles A. McElravey Award for lifetime achievement. He currently sits on the board of the League of Historic American Theatres.
With five adult children, and five grandchildren, Steve and his wife Randi are active supporters of many community organizations, including United Way of Story County, The Ames Chamber of Commerce, Youth and Shelter Services, League of Women Voters, and Bethesda Lutheran Church. Steve was also one of the founders of the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau.
MICHAEL LONDRA
Since his breakthrough role as the voice of Riverdance on Broadway, Londra has become one of the top Irish concert artists in North America. He is described by the Irish Herald as “one of the greatest Irish singers of our time.”
As a singer and producer Michael tours worldwide, receiving two Emmy® nominations for his PBS special “Beyond Celtic” co-produced with Mindfox Productions, airing nationally over 400 times on public television in the US and on arts channels, worldwide.
Londra's version of The Water is Wide was featured on the Universal Records “Arias Ancora” project with Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. His recording of “Danny Boy” is now regarded as “one of the best recordings of the song in history,” with approximately 8.5 million views on YouTube.
Michael’s was presented with a platinum disc for his production work on the first Celtic Woman project and was asked to return to work with PBS phenomenon Celtic Thunder by producer Sharon Browne.
In 2013, Michael appeared with Judy Collins in a concert for the Kennedy family in honor of the 50th Anniversary of President Kennedy’s visit to Ireland and was invited by the family to sing at a memorial service at the grave of the President in Arlington.
He is the creator of Radiocelt, which is part of Accuradio Network, one of the top ten internet radio stations. Michael is an official ambassador for his home county Wexford, along with authors Colm Toibin, John Banville and Eoin Colfer. He is a passionate advocate for NGO, Concern Worldwide.
In 2016, Michael has teamed with Steve Peters to form VenuWorks Theatricals, a new company dedicated to bringing new musical and theatrical projects to the stage.
He recently founded the Venuworks Agency with Jean Clancy. The agency represents artists and theatrical productions in North America.
He currently lives in Ames, Iowa with his partner Mark.