Lurea Murphy has worked with Center Productions, Inc. for the past five years, moving into the position of Agent/Manager in 2007. She brought with her experience both in the corporate  and the entertainment worlds.

Lurea’s corporate experience comes from the travel industry, specifically hotel management. She worked with Hilton Hotels, and for Denver's famed Brown Palace Hotel, prior to a ten year career with the Marriott Corporation.

With Marriott, Lurea initially worked as Night Audit Manager, then moved to the Front Office, and was ultimately chosen to work on the opening management teams at the famed flagship hotels: Boston Marriott Copley Place and the NY Marriott Marquis. Lurea also became part of a select management team utilized by Marriott's Corporate Task Force. This team worked with hotel properties around the country providing additional training and support services during openings or transition to computerization.

Following Marriott, Lurea’s career shifted into the entertainment industry. She worked with artist Luce Amen and Straight Ahead Records in Nashville, Tennessee. She later became the company manager for the acclaimed dance troupe  "Brenda Bufalino’s American Tap Dance Orchestra" in NYC. She had the opportunity to work with such notable dancers as Barbara Duffy,  and with the company’s illustrious mentors such as Honi Coles, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, and Hoagy Carmichael.

Lurea spent the following 12 years with Halley Resources, Inc. - a boutique specialty agency in NYC. The agency was founded by Russell Halley and represents top Hair & Make-up Artists, Fashion Stylists, Still-life/Prop Stylists and Food Stylists for work in print media. The agency clientele worked regularly with publications such as Martha Stewart Living, Oprah Magazine and Elle, and corporate clients Home Depot, Lucky Brand, and Rachel Ray.  It was through Russell that Lurea met and ultimately worked with Franc D'Ambrosio.

While having worked with Franc in a freelance capacity for several years, it was in late 2006 that Franc convinced her to work with him full time.  In 2007 Lurea became Center Production’s, Inc.’s  Business Manager and Lead Booking Agent. Under Lurea's guidance, the company continues to grow and enjoys a reputation of artistic excellence, and superior presenter customer service.

Laurel Canan brings a wonderful range of experience and perspective to her new position with Center Productions Inc. She has  been successful both as a presenter (Janesville Performing Arts Center in Janesville, Wisconsin) and most recently as a booking agent (CMI Entertainment - Midwest representative).  

When Laurel served as the Executive Director of JPAC, she brought artists such as Tony Bennett, Donny Osmond, Christopher Cross, Thodos Dance Chicago,  Cantible-The London Quartet, Robin Spielberg, and two performances by Franc D’Ambrosio to the Center.   Laurel also programmed a wide variety of other programs and children’s theatre companies for the JPAC season rosters.  She has extensive experience in all facets of arts management, organization strategic planning, fundraising and development, and arts organization start-up.  

Laurel has participated in the Prairie Arts Management Institute at Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the Professional Arts Management Institute at Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois.  She also attended the national conferences sponsored by Americans for the Arts.  She served as a State Captain for Arts Wisconsin working on arts advocacy issues around the state.  

Laurel holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, focus of study was Administrative Organizations and Management.  Laurel also holds undergraduate degrees (a Bachelor of  Science and Associates Degree) in Legal Administration and Paralegal Studies. 

In 2010 Laurel became a member of the Ohio Arts Presenters Network (OAPN) board .  She was also asked to Co-Chair of the 2011 OAPN Conference.