Shubert Spotlight - Bern Gautier

 • What’s your single favorite memory or proudest moment at the company?
I would say 2006 when we were excavating through the Longacre Theatre orchestra floor. We dug a huge pit in the floor to expand the cellar level. There was a lot of negative chatter on the internet and people didn’t think it would be completed in time for the opening of the incoming show. At one point, it seemed like I was the only one who knew we would be done on schedule. I was always proud of my ability to recognize and to control the tasks necessary to finish the job on schedule.

• What’s one thing you’ll miss most about working here?
I love working here, but I’ll be too busy living to miss working!

• What were your biggest accomplishments or successes?
    I contributed to the renovation of 11 of our Broadway theatres.

• How has your role—or the industry—changed since you first began?
The Facilities department has changed a lot since I started.  Currently we have what feels like a young staff, all super ambitious and super aggressive.  Back in the day the department felt more like a mom-and-pop shop, and that was okay. We had always felt that we knew more about our theatres than any consultant could. We were proud of the efficiency and the streamlined cost of our projects that resulted because of that knowledge. Today, we’ve hired a few individuals with NYC construction management credentials, and we’ve grown the overall size of the facilities management staff. As a result, more projects are being done at the same time.

• What are you looking forward to in retirement?
My son plans on building an orchard on my land, and I look forward to cultivating that with him.  Oh, and to also work on Valerie’s weekend chores during the week, so she doesn’t have to do them on the weekend! 
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• How would you like to be remembered here?
I pride myself on being a man “in the trenches”, so to speak. I always treated Shubert properties like they were my properties, so I could be completely invested in making sure work was done the right way and the way we wanted it done. But when all is said, and done, I am perfectly content being remembered as Valerie’s husband.