In the heart of downtown Eugene, only a few steps away from Lane Transit District’s Eugene Station, the McDonald Theatre remains quiet throughout the day, its doors and windows occupied by posters for upcoming shows. On the night of an event, the theater bustles with fervent energy as enthusiastic crowds arrive under the bright lights of the entrance way, awaiting their turn to pass through the doors.
Mike Hergenreter serves as the theater’s talent buyer and works directly with Kesey Enterprises. He has been with the enterprise for five years, previously serving as a volunteer at the McDonald Theatre. Kesey Enterprises is also responsible for production of the Eugene Celebration as well as management of the Cuthbert Amphitheater.
“The demo we try to create in the theater is consistent with the type of acts that my boss, Kit Kesey, prefers in his space,” Hergenreter said. “He likes to make sure that the stuff that we’re bringing through here is going to have a positive spin on his other businesses.”
The McDonald Theatre, first opening its doors in 1925, is one of Eugene’s most prominent cultural landmarks, serving as one of downtown’s major hubs for live music and entertainment with an ideal, mid-sized capacity that draws top-tier acts.
“There are a lot of times where there will be a show that will make us a lot of money, but the money-making aspect isn’t the paramount aspect,” he said. “There’s a little bit of everything, but the one thing that Kesey tries to stay away from is anything that is going to bring negativity from the city to him or his family name.”
As for the venue itself, it’s an important figure in the revitalization of the downtown area.
“Having a nice space to go and enjoy entertainment is a draw in itself just to bring people downtown,” he said. “Once you get people down here, the other businesses can help feed the people’s enjoyment of being downtown.”
The space, though a storied venue in itself, lives on through the legacy of Kesey’s family.
Hergenreter added, “Having its owner be Kit Kesey, he’s kind of a local celebrity in a sense with his family name — and just with his ties and him being the owner of the space makes it unique.”