Think back to what you were doing six years ago at this time. And think about what was just about to hit around the world: the COVID 19 pandemic.
Now, imagine starting a new job in a new city as all of that was unfolding.
That was the situation for Bob Bursey, the executive and artistic director of Texas Performing Arts. The organization operates Bass Concert Hall and the McCullough Theatre and programs performances around the city.
He started that job on Jan. 1, 2020. Needless to say, Bursey had to pivot from many of the plans he might have had coming into it.
KUT talked with Bursey just before the December 2025 holidays on the stage of the McCullough Theatre about how COVID impacted TPA back then and how things are looking for it — and the arts — now.
