Former Amphitheater manager Keith Schmitt, shown in the Amphitheater Wednesday, made a gift to support the Amp’s new audio system.
PATRICIA BEAGLE
Contributing Writer
Keith Schmitt retired as Chautauqua’s Amphitheater manager in August 2023, but his heart has never stopped beating for the Amp. When asked about family, Schmitt beamed and replied, “My bride is the big building down the street.”
Schmitt served Chautauqua as Amp production manager and then as Amp manager for 40 summers. A problem solver and stickler for details, he found his calling in the Amp. “I could smell when something was going wrong,” he said.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in theatre at The George Washington University, Schmitt worked at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. He later worked as production stage manager for the Tulsa Ballet Theatre, facilities manager for the Arts Council for Chautauqua County and Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown, New York and production manager at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, New York. He retired from Proctors in 2022.
Schmitt enjoyed those facilities, but nothing brings a bigger smile to his face than recalling memorable moments at Chautauqua. “My job was to make sure the show got on stage,” he recalled. “I got everybody what they needed.”
In 1990, Sid Caesar needed to eat popcorn and fling popcorn around the stage as part of a show. Schmitt needed to fill a popcorn bucket and ensure that there was not one speck of salt or butter in it. After the show, Caesar agreed to autograph the bucket for Schmitt … but only after coaxing from Caesar’s stage partner, Imogene Coca. That bucket remains one of Schmitt’s greatest treasures.
Schmitt loved the people he worked with and encourages everyone to stay in touch with him via Facebook. He remains thankful for his mentor from Wolf Trap. “Ralph Hoffman was a former dancer,” explained Schmitt. “After he couldn’t dance anymore, he became a technician. He was an amazing mentor.”
Schmitt became a phenomenal mentor to others. Deborah Sunya Moore, senior vice president and chief program officer, said, “Keith set the standard for excellence and an incredible work ethic. He always went the extra mile to mentor his crew.” She added, “When I first came to Chautauqua, Keith trained me in all things Amp, and some of my proudest moments have been by his side.”
Laura Savia, vice president of performing and visual arts, recalled, “Keith has been an unparalleled mentor who brought up generations of stage managers, crew and audio personnel who are now working all over the country. He knew that the Amp is the heart of Chautauqua and made sure every detail was perfect by the time the audience walked in every day.”
Austin Lindell, stage operations supervisor at the Amp, said, “Keith was my first true mentor in this industry, and I learned everything I know about this venue from him. I try to embody his work ethic and eye for detail in everything I do. I would not be where I am today without his guidance.” Lindell expressed appreciation that this year, Schmitt coached him through his first Fourth of July “flag drop.”
When Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra plays “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” a 10- by 15-foot American flag unfurls during the Grandioso, the triumphant climax of the march. Schmitt fabricated the flag drop device from pipes, U-bolts, and theatrical “trick line” string. A well-executed flag drop thrills the Amp audience. Texting Savia about Schmitt and the Fourth of July drop, Lindell wrote, “The torch has
been passed.”
Schmitt also went out of his way to help strangers. He recalled a devastated young man doing a project about author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. “He arrived late and missed Kurt’s lecture,” Schmitt explained. He had met Vonnegut that day, having taken him to his Amp dressing room. He walked the distraught gentleman over to what was then the Wensley House. “Kurt was on the second-floor balcony. I asked if he had a moment for the young man. Two hours later, they were still talking.”
Two months ago, Schmitt watched Community Update #7, a briefing on summer operations by Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh. The webinar explained the new Amp audio system and related fundraising. Schmitt was moved to make a generous contribution toward the audio system in consideration of his 40 years at the Amp and in memory of his parents.
Paul Eugene Schmitt and Dorothy Schafer Schmitt were selfless and supportive of their four sons. Like Keith, Paul and Dorothy were born in Wheeling, Virginia. Paul was of German descent, and Dorothy was German and Irish. “She used to say I had a German head and an Irish heart,” he recalled. “They loved to visit me wherever I worked, but they had a special love for Chautauqua.”
Schmitt knows better than anyone how critical the new sound system is for the Amp and hopes others feel the call to help. The Institution took the rare step of borrowing money for the $1.8 million project. $765,000 has been raised, with over $1 million more needed.
Moore was touched by Schmitt’s generous act. “He has loved this place so deeply for so many years,” she said. “It is incredibly meaningful to have this gift honoring his parents and his time here.”
A passion for travel has taken Schmitt to 50 states and almost 50 countries, yet even in retirement he keeps returning to Chautauqua — to his bride, the big building down the street. And he wants everyone who visits to enjoy her strong, clear new voice.
