Leadership / 05.06.24
Patricia Pratt Counts Faith, Family and Ticketing Friends Among Her Life’s Blessings
Christine Payne
Patricia Pratt
Patricia Pratt's career path took a unique turn. With a degree in early childhood education and teaching from Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, she could have been in a classroom. Or, with her passion for music, she might have graced the stage. But fate had other plans.
“I grew up singing gospel music in church and later sang all types of music,” she says. “I was in a small town and was always asked to sing for weddings and funerals. I joined a local band later and started traveling across Mississippi performing. When I moved to another city, I did not know anyone, and no one knew me, so I quit singing. I can still sing, just not as well as I once did.”
Despite never pursuing the limelight herself, Patricia has a deep appreciation for the arts and the entertainment industry.
“The best aspect of arts and entertainment is its ability to inspire, uplift and provoke thought,” she says. “Through various forms such as music, film, literature, theatre and visual arts, the entertainment industry has the power to evoke deep emotions, spark imagination, and stimulate meaningful conversations. It serves as a mirror reflecting society's values, challenges and aspirations while also providing an escape from the everyday stresses of life. Moreover, arts and entertainment have the potential to unite people from diverse backgrounds by fostering empathy, understanding and appreciation for different perspectives. Overall, the best thing about arts and entertainment is its profound impact on individuals and communities, enriching lives and shaping culture in profound ways.”
As fate would have it, Patricia did end up working in the live events and entertainment industry, not on the stage, but on the other side of the footlights. She got a taste for the business when she got a part-time job selling tickets at BancorpSouth Center (now Cadence Bank Arena). She became a full-time employee after her children got older and was approached at a ticketing conference about interviewing for the Box Office Manager position at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Patricia got the job and has been there since.
Patricia and her children
The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater is a 7,470-capacity outdoor venue that primarily stages live music performances. It is located on 15 acres along the banks of the Black Warrior River and is close to the University of Alabama campus and downtown district.
“My job includes building shows, selling tickets, sending out all of the box seats and select seat tickets, and maintaining relationships with our customers,” Patricia shared. “I especially enjoy dealing with the tours; setting up the maps for the events; and, ultimately, selling the tickets at the box office window and getting to know the demographics of the people attending each show.”
Twelve years later, Patricia is still there, in no small part because of the support she gets from her boss, Kay Day, Director of Arts and Entertainment for the City of Tuscaloosa and GM of the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, and the city’s mayor, Walt Maddox. “Kay and all the people I work with are amazing,” she says. “From day one, the mayor has been nothing but supportive of me. He is a progressive thinker and is moving the city forward.”
When it comes to mentors, Patricia relies on her Christian faith. “I look to the hills from which cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord. Amen!”
When it comes to career inspiration, Patricia looks up to Day, who has worked in many areas of the entertainment industry for over 35 years. She is paying it forward and says helping others is her greatest achievement.
“[I love] watching young people who started under me advance to become successful in the industry,” she says. “I get so much joy and pleasure just to know I played a part in their success.”
Patricia also mentioned another person who has inspired her life’s journey.
“I admire Michelle Obama,” she says. “How she kept her composure being the first Black first lady and not forgetting where she came from and not becoming what others thought she should be.”
Regarding people generally, Patricia says she values honesty, strength and integrity. “Honesty and integrity bring about trust. Strength is needed to overcome adversities. Strength does not always mean physical; it can also be mental. But to face different challenges, we must possess it.”
Another quality Patricia appreciates is reliability, especially when it comes to colleagues. “Reliability encompasses consistency, trustworthiness, and the ability to follow through on commitments. When I can rely on a colleague to complete tasks effectively and on time, it fosters a sense of teamwork and confidence in our collective abilities. It also helps streamline workflow and promotes a positive work environment.”
When it comes to leadership, she looks for vision, integrity, empathy, communication, adaptability, accountability, empowerment and resilience. “These traits collectively foster trust, collaboration and success within a team or organization,” she says. “And the quality I value most in my friends is authenticity. I appreciate friends who are genuine, honest and true to themselves. Authenticity fosters deeper connections, trust and mutual understanding in friendships.”
However, while she has many wonderful friends and colleagues, Patricia says her family is the greatest love of her life.
“I have two amazing children who are successful in their own right. My daughter is 40 years old and acquired an MBA. She is also an actor. She serves on several boards around the city of Tuscaloosa. She manages one of the biggest branches for the bank that employs her. My son also has an MBA. He is 49 years old and just retired from the U.S. Army after serving 30 years. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. I have four grandchildren, too, three girls and a boy. I am very proud of them all.”
Patricia’s two oldest grandchildren
Patricia sometimes uses her most treasured possession when she cooks for her family.
“It is my mother’s Pyrex casserole bowl,” she says fondly. “My mother used the bowl to make chicken casseroles. I am following in her footsteps. I only use the bowl for that dish.”
Patricia’s daughter’s kids
Patricia’s son’s kids
Patricia has not travelled far from her roots in the Deep South, although she did visit Hawaii once and would love to go back. Most of the time, she prefers short road trips with friends and family. “My favorite location for road trips is in the Smokies (Great Smoky Mountains). [I love] sitting on the balcony of a cabin just taking in the fresh air. [There is] beautiful scenery and peace of mind.”
Patricia out for a drive
When alone, she likes to read. Patricia counts Stephen King, Brian Evenson and Terry McMillan among her favorite authors. She is also a fan of live events, especially at her amphitheater, which is her favorite venue.
“You would have to witness the view to appreciate it,” she says invitingly. “We are on the Black Warrior River, and the view is amazing. The mayor makes sure it is kept up to standards. There is a train track that runs beside the venue and if you didn’t see the train go by, you would never know it was there. The artists find that amazing. Some artists walk over just to take pictures.”
Patricia’s most memorable career moment has been meeting so many artists. “As far as events go, I have seen many, but I was most impressed by Babyface. I had no idea he wrote and produced for so many people until he performed at my venue … Prince is my favorite of all time simply because he was so talented and a great performer.”
As an experienced box office manager, Patricia enjoys attending the annual INTIX conference and is an active member. Among her contributions, she is a member of the INTIX IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) Committee, which helps to advance the goals of the association’s strategic long-range plan (SLRP).
Members of the INTIX IDEA Committee at the 2024 conference in Las Vegas
“INTIX allows me to connect with other ticketing professionals. People who understand what we do and can appreciate what we do,” she says. “[Ticketing professionals] are the only people who know what we must encounter daily … It is comforting to talk to other ticketing professionals.”
She says, “The breakout sessions [at the conference] are very informative. Each year is different. The industry itself constantly changes, so the information is always helpful … I use [it] daily in my job.”
As she reflects on her career to date, Patricia would tell herself not to be afraid of change if she could go back in time. If she were granted three wishes today, she would ask for continuous good health for herself and her family, to remain mentally stable and to continue to have peace of mind. And what brings her peace of mind and the greatest joy is quite simple.
“Knowing I have contributed to someone’s success or just having made someone’s day [has great meaning for me. [I love] to bring a smile to a face and to know that others really appreciate you and how I helped them along the way.”
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Tags: Leadership , GTKY