We chatted with our two newest employees: Ashley Fuhrman, Director of Brand & Experience, and Brandon Pittman, Director of Programming, to learn more about their careers and why they’re passionate about arts and entertainment. We’re excited to have them on board!
Tell us a little about your background and what led you to Wareham Hall.
ASHLEY: I previously worked as a strategy director for a local marketing agency, where I led brand and marketing strategy across a range of clients and industries. Before that, I spent much of my life immersed in the performing arts—dancing, acting, playing piano, singing in show choir, and attending shows any chance I could. Working at Wareham Hall feels like a full-circle moment, bringing together my professional experience with the creative passions that have always been a part of who I am.
BRANDON: I’ve built a strong connection to the communities that support live music, and it shapes how I approach this work. I’ve spent years in venues, learning operations and programming from booking shows to managing the full experience. That blend of hands-on experience and community focus led me to Wareham Hall, a rare opportunity to be part of its history while helping shape its future.
See below for an awesome photo of Brandon slappin’ da bass next to someone who could win a Steve Carell look-a-like contest.
What excites you most about being a part of the Wareham Hall team?
ASHLEY: We’re building something unlike anything our community has experienced before! The significance of this project is never lost on me, and it’s an honor to help bring this historic place back to life as “The Showplace of Manhattan” once again.
BRANDON: I’m drawn to the opportunity to help carry a cherished and historic part of Manhattan’s legacy forward for future generations to enjoy. Opportunities like this are rare, and I’m honored to be part of it.
As an audience member or performer, what’s a performance, concert, or live experience that’s stuck with you over time and why?
ASHLEY: I wish I could say the Eras Tour, but I never managed to get tickets…so it has to be the time I won a meet-and-greet to see the Goo Goo Dolls. I was OBSESSED and had the biggest crush on John Rzeznik. I remember pretending to be super nervous and letting people pass me in line so I could be the last one to meet them—as if that would somehow make me more memorable or get me extra time, lol.
See below for an example of Ashley’s self-proclaimed “cringy” 2010s style while meeting the Goo Goo Dolls, heavily influenced by The Buckle, black eyeliner, and backcombing.
As an audience member or performer, what’s a performance, concert, or live experience that’s stuck with you over time and why?
BRANDON: As a young musician, I once played a show with a band called Japanther, a bass-and-drum duo out of New York City. They repurposed public telephone receivers and used them as microphones, which completely blew me away at the time. That level of ingenuity stuck with me. They were a lot of fun and put on a great show, and it’s an experience I’ve never forgotten.
What kind of experiences do you hope Wareham Hall creates for the community?
ASHLEY: I want Wareham Hall to be attached to as many core memories as possible—experiences that create the most anticipation, joy, and magic—because those are the stories you hold onto and tell over and over again.
Why is a strong arts, culture, and entertainment scene important to a community like Manhattan?
BRANDON: My hope is that Wareham Hall continues its long and storied tradition of bringing entertainment and community to Manhattan, while also ushering in a renewed appreciation for the cultural arts. A strong arts and entertainment scene plays a vital role in shaping and enriching the human experience. It’s essential to who we are, and it helps capture and give meaning to our time here.
Outside of work, what are a few things you enjoy doing or ways you like to spend your time?
ASHLEY: I’m currently in the middle of remodeling my mid-century dream home, which takes up most of my free time, but I love traveling, playing pickleball, going to concerts and dance performances, and lounging around with my pets.
BRANDON: Spending time with my wonderful family. Making music and visual art. Playing video games.
What are three words your closest friends would use to describe you?
ASHLEY: Well, I asked them, and they said: Witty. Tenacious. Trustworthy.
BRANDON: Authentic. Passionate. Reliable.
What are you currently listening to, watching, or recommending?
ASHLEY: Some of my current favorites that I definitely recommend are…
Album: The Great Divide by Noah Kahan
Podcast: The Telepathy Tapes
Movie: Project Hail Mary
TV Show: Severance
Comedian: Taylor Tomlinson
BRANDON: The new Flying Lotus album 1983 is great. I’ve also been enjoying the Fallout TV show on Amazon Prime.
