For 45 years, Lorain County Community College’s devotion to artistry has taken center stage at Stocker Arts Center, the 984-seat, on-campus complex of theaters, dance studio, rehearsal hall and art gallery.
It’s a mission Erin Miller, who took the helm as Stocker’s director last year, fervently believes in.
“Stocker Center is such a gem for our community,” Miller says. “It’s yet another reflection of how much Lorain County Community College says, ‘This is how much we care about you, and this is what we want to offer you.’”
How did your career history prepare you for your present position?
“Before coming to LCCC, I served as the general manager of Cain Park [a seasonal outdoor theater] in Cleveland Heights for 20 years.
“Arts have always been a big part of my life. I grew up in Bay Village, performed in plays at Bay High School, and received my bachelor of fine arts degree from Miami University of Ohio with a concentration in performance.
“After graduation, I returned to Cleveland, and staged-managed productions for Cleveland Opera, Great Lakes Theater, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland SignStage and Cain Park.
“I was stage-managing a production of “The Music Man,” at Cain Park in 1998, and the tour manager and company manager for David Copperfield were in the audience. We met after the show, and two weeks later, I started touring the world with the magician for four years as his assistant stage manager and production stage manager. In 2002, I returned home and joined Cain Park.
What impresses you about Lorain County Community College?
“I am consistently impressed with the upper management and administration. They’re always 10 steps ahead, constantly thinking about and analyzing the future. Conversations are ongoing all the time: ‘What do we need to do to keep this community college vibrant and current for the community and the students?’ ‘How do we keep moving with the times?’ They look at each student and staff member as a whole person, and offer ways that can help you flourish on all fronts.”
What arts initiatives DO you hope to launch or revive?
“When Stocker Center opened, the original director Kass Crooker started a subscription-based Performing Artists Series featuring a variety of theater, dance and music performances. I will be continuing that vision, so, as part of the 2024-’25 Performing Artists Series, I chose two dance concerts and theatrical events to showcase.
“Our theme for Stocker Center this season is ‘Celebrating Connections,’ so we’re exploring how we can present programming that engages students and the community.
“I love it when people contact me and say, ‘Hey, I loved the show I saw at Stocker last night,’ then offer suggestions for future presentations. We’re also developing a plan to chat with patrons after a performance to ask them if they enjoyed the show and what would bring them back again.”
Why are the arts so important to our world?
“The arts bring people from all different backgrounds, ages and beliefs together in one room to share an experience like no other. They also allow young people to see that there are nontraditional avenues in the arts that can fill you creatively.”
Why is Stocker Center the perfect place for the arts to thrive?
It gives Lorain County bragging rights that we’ve got this amazing facility right in our own backyard with free parking, affordable ticket pricing and a variety of programming. It’s the ideal complement to everything Lorain County Community College offers.”
