In Conversation with Ray Cullom, Executive Director of the Zorlu Center PSM (Part 1)

I am a concert nerd. And the Zorlu Center Performing Arts Center has been a new paradise found. It has only had one season so far. But, in that season alone, they have brought before me such dream performances as the original Cats, Notre Dame, and Jose Carreras. And, it has introduced me to new names such as the Cuban ballet/dance group Ballet Revolucion, the amazing Karsu Donmez of Holland, and allowed me to witness Fazil Say yet again. The upcoming 2014-2015 season looks to be even better. It features, among others, Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, The Phantom of the Opera, The New York City Ballet, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and the Royal Opera House production of Puccini’s La Boheme.

So when given the assignment of interviewing an expat doing exciting things in the city, I just knew that I had to interview Ray Cullom, the Executive Director of the Zorlu Center PSM (if he had the time…and he graciously did). You can read the first part of our interview below. 

How did you find yourself in Istanbul?

When the project for the Zorlu Performing Arts Center came to the attention of the management company Nederlander, they called and asked me if I would be interested in moving to Istanbul. This was three years ago, and I said, “God, yes!” But, unfortunately, I had just taken a new position at a theater in NYC, and couldn’t just up and leave. When Nederlander called again a year and half later and asked “How about now?” I thought, it’s too good to be turned down twice.

So, I came for the first time in January of 2013, and just fell in love with the city. I saw the scale of the project,  how amazing everything was going to be…the potential to shape something of this size and caliber was something I could not say no to. I returned to the States a week later and told my wife: “We are moving to Istanbul.”  And, I have been here for about 18-19 months in total.

Had you lived abroad before?

I have toured shows abroad. So, I’ve been out of the US for months and months at a time, but that was  moving from city to city to city. But, no, I have never come to live in a foreign country before.

I am assuming that you also had an impressive career in the States as well.

I hope so! My actual degree is in Archeology. But I moved to New York right away and started working as an actor, a director and eventually as a designer. And that led me into the thing I was really supposed to do, which was managing productions. Because whenever I was in a production, I would always get frustrated with how thing were being run. I would always say, “I would do it better.”  So, I moved kind of naturally over the course of ten years from being on the stage to manager and to running the stage and putting things together.  And yes, over the past fifteen years or so, I have managed a very nice and prestigious group of theaters and companies. It’s been an interesting career. And this is, by far, the most interesting thing I have ever done.

What is your work at Zorlu like?

Because of my background, I have a bit of experience in all areas. I have worked a lot on production, with my hands on scenery, and hanging lights. That’s where I started. And I have run marketing for international and national touring Broadway shows,  run the business and HR side of theaters in and around NYC, and also done a lot of programming. I was director of programming for a major theater in New York City center, it was one of my first jobs. So, I feel that I have enough of a knowledge in each of the departments, to make all of their lives hell. My job is really to set the vision for what the programming will be and to provide management and supervision for all of the functions of the performing arts center.

What do you do for fun?

Truthfully, I have a great job, because the thing that I love is also the thing that I do. I love to see plays, and I love to see art. So, when I am not here, my director of programming and I are often off in Istanbul seeing concerts and other theaters. And then, because we must see any act before we bring it here, we are often going abroad to see a show, a company, or a symphony or an opera. So, that is work, but it is also pleasure. And I am lucky in that regard.

Where do unwind/relax? Where is your favorite haunt?

Well, my life is about to change radically because my wife and kids are moving here next week. So what I do to relax starting next week will be very different — from now on I’ll be spending time with my kids and family. I have already set up many activities for them, including scuba-diving lessons.

And, up until now, not having a family here has allowed me to really throw myself into this job like I never would have been able to if I had to be home every night for dinner and to tuck the kids into bed. It’s been freeing in some way. But what do I do when I do get the chance to relax? I go to the movies. I go to see shows. I like to be entertained. I like to constantly see new entertainment, to give me ideas.

Do you visit the other concert halls?  Which one is your favorite besides the Zorlu Center?

Sure, I’ve been to most of them. I like İşSanat, it’s a very nice concert hall. I like Süreyya on the Asian side very much, it’s a darling, little, jewel-box of a place. But, truthfully, there is nothing in Istanbul quite like this place [the Zorlu Center PSM].

What has been your biggest surprise about Istanbul?

The biggest surprise I guess is how similar big cities are. You know, when you have lived in the States, you have a vision of Istanbul as this completely foreign and different place. But when you get into it and you live in the city, a city is a city. And people living in cities have the same concerns and priorities and everything else. So, once you get past the first impressions of a place and you get into the day to day living, you realize it’s the same. The rhythms of the city are the same, the things you have to be careful about are the same, the pleasures that you get are the same. So, that was a surprise.

I realize that your position is very unique among other expats.  But, do you have any general advice for expats?

For expats overall…it’s about a fifty percent chance with expats. About half of them get settled into where they are, and for the rest, it’s too different or they miss home. I would advise everyone to try and get through that, to just stick it out. You can’t give up, you can’t give into homesickness or fear, because eventually you discover the pleasures, the familiarity of a place.

To the point, when I landed back here again after a three week vacation in the States, I felt like I was coming home in a way. And I adjusted back to the time so quickly, faster than I ever have. It’s like my body clock is completely different.

You can read Part 2 of this conversation, where we discuss Ray’s work at the PSM in more detail, here.