FriendscriptWinter2016

FriendscriptWinter2016

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  Winter 2016 1 Read FriendScriptonline at kennedy-center.org/support/volunteers/fscript.pdf Starting with the elegant invitation, Friends knew this volunteer gala would be special. Oh sure, some things were the same: the plain empty ordinariness of the Atrium was transformed into a lovely space that somehow fits hundreds of us yet seemed intimate, the food was delicious, the service superb, the band had Friends dancing where they stood!, and the program honoring all of the pin honorees—but especially the longest serving ones—fitting. But, a golden anniversary only happens once in a lifetime and so special touches dotted the evening like the glittering sparkles that appeared on each of the tables: Friends and the pin honoree guests filed into the Atrium past a giant cake in honor of the achievement, and the special recognition for our lone 35-year pin recipient, Bill Wortley, was done via the magic of video, since he and his wife Marilyn Schoon were off on a once-in-a-lifetime European vacation. Marilyn was keeping an eye on the proceedings from her cabin a continent away ‘liking’ various photos posted to the Friends’ Facebook page throughout the evening! We also paid special tribute to the 30 years of service given by Frank Beachem (who dared not climb the stairs onto the stage, lest he dwarf tiny Marie Mattson!), 25 years of service by Loretta Berg, Jo Ann Hearld, and Peggy Pieron, and for 20 years given by Mary Burns, Mary Cacciatore, Flavia Delfavero-Norman, Linda DeRamus, Mary Fran Gildea, Ernie Hiltz, Christa Opp, Emanual Payton, Nancy Schrider, Santosh Sharma, and Bert Simson. If there is another volunteer organization in the country—or the world—that engenders the sort of loyalty people regularly give to the Friends program, I would be very surprised! A special thank you to Brooks and Jessica was given by Tina Tate, 2015 VAC Chair. It is one of the many fun responsibilities of the VAC Chair to help Brooks come up with the theme for each year’s Volunteer Gala, and Tina’s influence brought a southern elegance to the evening! Lest we forget our past, an additional insert to the yearly program highlighted milestones about our history, which began before the building was complete. Let’s raise our glasses with Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter in one more toast to the awesomeness of the Friends: hurrah for us! Here’s to the next 50 years! The Friends Golden AnniversaryBy Tricia Callahan, FriendScript Editor If there is another volunteer organization in the country—or the world—that engenders the sort of loyalty people regularly give to the Friends program, I would be very surprised! Friends Celebrate 51! by Marilyn J. Schoon, Friends Archivist Travel down Memory Lane with the Friends! Look for the RED BOXES throughout this issue! Part 4 of the 50th Anniversary Series As we begin our 51st year at the Kennedy Center, I plan to continue to take readers of FriendScript on a trip down memory lane by sharing excerpts from various publications. In this issue, I’ll focus on the years 1990 through 1999. The official newsletter of the Friends of the Kennedy Center
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  Editor-In-Chief Tricia Callahan Editorial Board SamiAtalla Dennis Butler Tricia Callahan Ada Ejiogu Grace Krumwiede Marilyn Schoon Lynn Trundle Content Consultant Jeremy Birch Layout/Graphics Scott Buga Scott Bushnell Brooks Boeke Jessica Zaluzec Staff Liaisons Brooks Boeke Myles King Jessica Zaluzec View from the VAC: Highlights 2015.................3 Tricia Callahan: Editor Extraordinaire...............3 Meet Marilyn Schoon and Bill Wortley..............4 Frank Beachem celebrates 30 years.....................5 In Memory 2015.................................................5 Staff Spotlight: Niiyo Madison...........................6 Why I Volunteer for the Arts Wael Sherman.......6 Preparing the Next Generation...........................7 Au revoir et à bientôt: Intern Farewell.................7 2015 Lounge Volunteer Scrapbook.....................8 Goodbye to the VAC ..........................................8 Winding Down with WNO & Friends ..............9 Thank YOU from Membership...........................9 New Friends at the Tour Desk in 2015.............10 Tour Kudos.......................................................11 Friends Outreach: Looking to 2016..................12 Facebook and Friends.......................................12 Education Friends Welcome Mario Rossero......13 Admin Support: It’s Not Magic........................14 Friends in 50 years............................................15 In the News......................................................16 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE KENNEDY CENTER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FEATURES Friends Staff Phone Numbers Brooks Boeke, Manager (202) 416-8303 [email protected] Jessica Zaluzec, Assistant Manager (202) 416-8304 [email protected] 2700 F Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20566 INTHISISSUE Lets look back at the events and accomplishments of 2015! Last summer, Brooks Boeke presented the Friends programs to the Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board for the first time. She was particularly pleased to announce our 50th anniversary! The Board learned about the upcoming season of events and performances, including the Irish Festival in May and June which begins the year- long celebration of John F. Kennedy’s centennial birthday. The official training for Tours for Young People took place with Deirdre Lavrakas, Senior Manager of Production, and Liz Rossetti, Education Manager, giving us guidance and suggestions to excite and engage students of all ages. Tour Guide Ryan Gallagher provided a simple guide explaining social media terms. They received rave reviews for their special insights into how best to communicate the KC story to our youngest visitors. We met our goal of training at least one guide per shift. Another significant goal was met as all Friends now log in online to record volunteer hours. This is such a critical record of our contribution to the Kennedy Center that having the information correct and up-to-date is truly an important component of representing the Friends dedication. We have also begun the first steps in online tour scheduling so that the Friends Office, Tour Desk, and Visitors Center will have the same access to tour data. The current system has VIC volunteers writing out the necessary information in large cumbersome binders. An automated system accessible from home by a shift leader will enable better preparation for each shift to provide the best tour experience for our guests. We hope to launch the new program this year! We want to thank all of our outgoing members who have served the last two years on the VAC. Peggy Siegel served us well promoting the work of the Education Department and all its many initiatives. She constantly sought ways to make the Education Department’s wide-ranging programs available for other volunteer initiatives. Andrew Jones handled all the challenges of retail sales and the continuing need for up-to-date training. Charles Rademaker not only represented the Lounge volunteers but also contributed suggestions and ideas for the tour program since he is also a tour guide. David Mead enthusiastically promoted areas where volunteers serve the Opera, providing new and interesting opportunities for us. David was so excited by the costume sale that he had us all rushing out to buy a costume just for fun. These four dedicated individuals served us well and will continue to make important contributions. Thank you to all! Looking ahead to this year, we will be watching the ongoing construction and the start of the Terrace Theater renovation. We will enjoy Second City Comedy in the Theater Lab. We are energized and excited by the many innovations coming our way and will continue to look for ways to serve the ever changing world of the Kennedy Center as we enter our second half-century. View From the VAC Highlights 2015! by Tina Tate, Chair Volunteer Advisory Committee Tours for Young People Trainees with Deirdre Lavrakas (left) LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Not Goodbye…Let’s Say Au Revoir By Tricia Callahan, FriendScript Editor This is my last article as editor of FriendScript, a position it has been my honor to hold for the last seven years, and my last official action as a Friend of the Kennedy Center. It has been a decade of wonderful, memorable experiences full of people I am so very proud to call my friends. The writing of this article is bittersweet. Those of you who know me know that I moved to Charlottesville about 8 years ago. For a few years I continued to travel to DC a few times a month to fulfill my Tour Guide commitment (I still miss my diverse, energetic Saturday morning tour shift colleagues…). As my life moved a few hours southwest of the District, I transferred into the Web Research program, which I enjoyed tremendously as well. As time went on, I found myself increasingly disconnected from the Center—and the articles I was writing and editing. My work started to demand a lot more time and travel. Time to do the right thing and step down. When I became the editor of FriendScript—the ‘mouthpiece’ of the best volunteer program of any kind in the country, bar none, in my humble opinion—I frankly did not think the quality of the newsletter matched the quality of our program as a whole. I fervently wanted it to. I believed our program deserved nothing less. I hope, all these years later, that you will agree that it now does. The writing is first rate (thanks to our current crop of superb writers), the layout flawless (thanks to the endless efforts of Brooks and others in the Friends office), and the subject matter more diverse and interesting (again, thanks to Brooks continually brainstorming new ways to tell the remarkable stories of the Friends collectively and individually). I leave a FriendScript product of which I am immensely proud. And, I leave the editorship in the extremely capable hands of my good friend (and birthday sister!) Nancy Reid. I have no doubt that FriendScript will thrive for many years to come under her sure hand, and I look forward to checking the Friends page on the web from time to time to see what you are all doing. Who knows, I may even contribute once in a while…. So, it’s not goodbye, dear Friends program. It’s au revoir. I will be around—and cheering your accomplishments every step of the way! HIGHLIGHTSFROM2015 2 3 New Friends at the Tour Desk Page 10 Friends Outreach 2016 Page 12 Meet Marilyn Schoon and Bill Wortley Page 4 Special Tribute to Tricia Callahan, Friendscript Editor Extraordinaire This is the last issue of FriendScript featuring Tricia Callahan as editor.  Since 2008, Tricia has not only edited hundreds of articles, but has also written dozens as well.  During the early years of her tenure, this was an even more daunting undertaking, since at that time 10 to 12 issues were published annually.  In fact, that was the case until 2014, when FriendScript became a quarterly publication.  How times have changed!  Not only is Tricia an excellent editor and writer, but she also has a keen understanding of the Friends program overall, thanks to her years as a tour guide, area leader, trainer, and VAC chair.  One of our favorite FriendScript columns ever, “Generation2Generation,” an article highlighting Friends from different generations, was one of Tricia’s many ideas. Her magic touch is largely why FriendScript is one of the most professional volunteer newsletters around.  The good news is that we will still see Tricia here at the Kennedy Center as a Festival/Event volunteer, and she will continue to write occasional FriendScript  articles.  She will always be remembered as one of the outstanding leaders of the Friends program.              Brooks
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  4 5 Meet MarilynSchoon and Bill Wortley A Powerhouse Couple By Grace I. Krumwiede Marilyn Schoon and Bill Wortley have a combined 79 years of volunteering at the Kennedy Center. Marilyn started in 1972 on Thursday evenings at the gift shops and shortly thereafter moved to the Visitors Center. Bill officially started in 1980. Bill received his 35- year pin on December 15, the only pin honoree reaching this lofty status. Sadly (for us, but not for them!), he could not be there as he and Marilyn were on a Christmas markets cruise along the Rhine River celebrating their 39th anniversary. Marilyn will receive her 45 year pin in 2017. Their accomplishments as Friends are overwhelming: together—in addition to their regular shifts at the VIC (Marilyn) and Lounges (Bill)—they have participated in many Honors, festivals, and Open Houses (Marilyn serving as co-chair of the Honors for two years, and Bill being an Open House Area Leader for crowd management, and the one we all depended on to get there extra early to start the coffee!). They both have served on the VAC. They enjoy volunteering in the Lounges, especially when they can work together. Bill often serves alone on Thursdays when Marilyn is at the VIC. In the early years, they served champagne to guests (Lounge volunteers know that lemonade, iced tea, and water are the current offerings!). Marilyn is also a ‘stalwart’ Friend—at the Honors where she supervised the “will call” table for 20 years. This year they were stand-ins for two days. Marilyn says about volunteering, “We have made such good friends. Our dinner group of Friends volunteers and spouses/ partners has met every other month for more than 25 years, and we have taken trips with my Thursday shift to local museums and even spent weekends at Williamsburg and National Harbor. I can’t imagine my life without the Kennedy Center and the Friends.” To make their service even more remarkable, they have commuted from West Virginia., a 90-mile drive, since 2003. Friends introduced them to the area and they liked it so much they decided to move there. In West Virginia they are on the Board of Directors of Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA- EP). Their mission is to protect abused and neglected children and to advocate for them in the community and court system. The Board spends considerable time on fundraising. Volunteering is clearly a love of their lives next to their love for each other. They married in 1976, about a year after meeting at an Alexandria Roller Rink. Bill, who had left his home state of California to take a position at the Pentagon, was a competitive skater and wanted to continue. Marilyn was taking organ lessons from the man who owned and played the Wurlitzer organ at the rink (sister organ to Radio City’s organ) and picked just the right day to visit. A friend told her earlier, “There’s been the nicest young man coming to the rink….” Well, we know the rest of the story. Bill served in the Army National Guard for more than 40 years, about 10 years of which was on active duty. As a civilian, he worked for the Department of the Army for 29 years in the safety field, retiring in 2003 as Director of Safety of the Pentagon and field agencies’ assets. Marilyn, born in Gary, Indiana, moved to Bethesda at age 15 when her father was elected national Secretary-Treasurer of the now American Postal Workers Union. She taught for 30 years in the Fairfax County Public Schools, joining the staff of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology a year after it opened. She taught many classes in the Humanities Division and also served on its executive board for 6 years. Bill says of his service, “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to serve the members of the Kennedy Center—unless it’s doing so with the love of my life.” Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for your many years of extraordinary service to the Center! Bill and Marilyn on a Rhine River Cruise visiting Christmas markets including in Belgium. Frank Beachem Celebrates 30 Years as a Friend in 2015 By Lynn Trundle As you can imagine, Washington, DC native Frank Beacham has seen quite a few changes not only to his native city, but to the Kennedy Center during the 30 years he’s been a volunteer. He’s worked primarily in the Gift Shops during that time and has served on the VAC as a Gift Shops representative from 1995 to 1997 He’s also is a member of the Outreach Committee. Every year since 1984, he’s volunteered for the Kennedy Center Honors and participated in every Open House until the last one in 2010. That’s 27 Open Houses. What a record! Frank notes that the Gift Shops have grown “from a small tourist souvenir stands to a massive, multimillion dollar retail operation with . . . a sophisticated point of sale and inventory control system.” Despite the many changes in the Shops and in the Kennedy Center itself, Frank says it’s been comforting that “the Friends Volunteer program has remained essentially intact and is a model for other such organizations in the country to look to for how volunteering is supposed to be done.”  After being born in the now-demolished Doctor’s Hospital, formerly located at 18th and I streets NW, Frank grew up in Forest Heights, MD. He graduated from Oxon Hill Senior High School and the University of Maryland, College Park with a BS in Industrial Technology. He now lives in Manassas, VA with his wife and is a Senior Buyer for DC’s Louis Berger Group, a global defense contracting firm that works on infrastructure and development challenges. He also finds time to volunteer occasionally with the National Park Service. Busy much, Frank? Frank says the most interesting aspect of his volunteer job at the Shops is “meeting people from all over the world who have many and varied [backgrounds and] interests in the arts.” Frank’s own connection to the arts is deeply felt. He says they are “[a] great relief and release from the day-to-day workplace life. They offer an expressive outlet for creative thought and performances.” The Friends are lucky to have such a long-time devoted volunteer. Frank was one of the videographers for the Friends 50th Anniversary project. Excerpts will be on the Friends website early in 2016. Stay tuned! One of the most rewarding assignments open to Friends volunteers is the Garden Club. You can select your own hours and work at your own pace. Most gardeners arrange to work in the gardens for an hour or two just before or after their regular tour of duty. Some people like to work alone and others with a friend. Extra perks include a stylishly visored National Park Service cap, a pair of clippers, gloves, and lots of plastic bags. To make room for planting tulip bulbs for next spring’s beautiful display, the marigolds and begonias will soon be pulled up. From Friendscript September 1992 From “Roger Stevens, the Friends Mourn the Loss of the Greatest of Friends.” With the death of Roger Stevens on February 9, not only did the Center lose its founding chairman, but the volunteers also lost one of their biggest supporters. Roger and his wife Christine often gave parties for the Friends at their home in Georgetown. The last time we were graced with the Stevens’ presence was at our party in December, and there could not have been a more fitting way for all of us to say good-bye. The volunteers who spoke with him that evening all agreed that you could tell he was enjoying the evening because of the light that shone in his eyes. It seem appropriate that Roger’s last experience with the Friends was a standing ovation in his honor. From Friendscript March 1998 ROGER STEVENS LOVED THE FRIENDS! FRIENDS PLANT BULBS ON KC GROUNDS IN EARLY 1990s Lorraine Berlin, Visitors Center; June Berti, Tours; Rodney Haugh, Education; Sorab Modi, Administration; Carla Meisenger, Tours IN MEMORY 2015
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  The vastness ofthe Kennedy Center, with its many theaters and performances, is always alive—it makes it amazing to work here,” says Niiyo Madison, Catering Manager at the Kennedy Center. Niiyo came to the Kennedy Center a year ago with over 14 years of experience in this field. As Catering Manager she works on the catering operations and food selection for special events happening anywhere in the building. Niiyo has worked with several cultural centers. Prior to the Kennedy Center, Niiyo worked at Strathmore for a couple of years. She was also an events planner with the National Restaurant Association, and worked catering operations with the National Geographic. “I love working with people and enjoy the excitement,” Niiyo says as she described her love for her work. “This field allows for being very creative.” A Catering Manager is an events planner on the operations side, such as selecting menus, ensuring food arrives on time, cutlery and crockery are in place, and everything runs well on the day. While Niiyo describes herself as a picky eater, she takes time to know her audience at each event and selects menus that will work best for them. In her role, Niiyo collaborates with event planners from other departments at the Kennedy Center. She also works closely with other operations staff that handle the cooking, bars, flowers, etc. Niiyo works with Friends who assist with daily operations, such as helping with answering questions at the Visitors Center. “The Friends are very friendly and great partners in all that we do!” says Niiyo. Growing up the oldest of seven children, Niiyo said her siblings fondly call her the “supervisor,” as she has a knack for coming up with what they would do for vacations and birthdays. She was the planner; a trait that has served her well in her career. Niiyo sang in school and enjoys the performing arts. Her favorite performance at the Kennedy Center was the musical Hair Spray. She also enjoys the fact that the Millennium Stage runs 365 great shows throughout the year. When Niiyo is away from work, she enjoys shopping and traveling. Some of her favorite destinations include Egypt, the Caribbean, and Disney World. Niiyo also enjoys spending time with her large family, made up partly of seventh generation Washingtonians and partly Ghanaians. 6 7 Why I Volunteer for the Arts By Wael Sherman, Global Friends Steering Committee To give, to love, to help others is to be human—volunteering connects us. We don’t need to speak a particular language, understand an instrument, analyze a painting, or touch an object. All we need is to feel and appreciate art in all of its forms, and we will speak a universal language, encompassing our differences and our similarities. Volunteering at the Kennedy Center allows me to connect. I meet wonderful people from all over the world, and I get the chance to enjoy and experience different cultures. Here I can enjoy a fantastic play, listen to beautiful music, walk through a fascinating art exhibit, and experience global creativity–I give as a volunteer but there is so much more that I get back. Wael was one of the first Festival/Event volunteers having volunteered for several Open Houses’ and many international festivals As a native of Jordan, he is the perfect fit for the Global Friends Steering Committee. The committee is chaired by Sirin Koprucu (Turkey). Other members include Michele Bell (United States), Yasmin Bhalloo (India), Noura Estatie (Lebanon), Mahsa Javid (Iran), Flavius Mihaies (France) and Cesar Santos (Philippines) Preparing the Next Generation By Dennis Butler Staff Spotlight on Sydney Krieck, Intern Coordinator The phrase that most often comes up when talking to Sydney Krieck about the Kennedy Center internship program is professional development. Sydney explained that the interns are not just observing, but are handling important duties that are critical to the everyday operations of the Kennedy Center. Sydney, who joined the Kennedy Center as internship coordinator in December of 2014, graduated from American University, where she majored in Music and Anthropology, and then spent a few months teaching pre-school in St. Croix, where she discovered her love for building sustainable education programs that address each student uniquely. As coordinator, Sydney is responsible for the everyday operations of the program. She plans the term, posts the application, and markets the program through contacts with organizations, career fairs, and site visits. When applications are received Sydney reviews the applications, and then distributes them to various intern supervisors throughout the building who interview and select intern candidates for their specific department. Sydney estimated that for the summer term, the Kennedy Center receives anywhere from 200 to 300 applications, while the fall and spring application numbers are slightly lower. Interns work every day in their placement office, Sydney explained, and are invited to participate in a number of weekly professional development activities designed to encourage a better understanding of the field and help interns explore their career possibilities. These professional development activities include weekly informational seminars with Kennedy Center staff members, intern and staff “speed-networking”, a resume and personal branding seminar, a White House trip, and several networking opportunities with other non-profits in DC, including Americans for the Arts, National Geographic, and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Sydney noted that interns are encouraged to seek informational interviews with Kennedy Center staff members that will help them understand the different professional roles at the Kennedy Center. Sydney also explained that there are many discussions and ideas going forward, including the possibility of a high school internship program, in partnership with the DC School and Community Initiatives department, as well as a fellowship program. “This is an exciting time at the Kennedy Center,” Sydney said. “We are looking at our work in creative and strategic ways. We are discussing how we can encourage the next generation to become involved in continuing what an incredibly valuable and dynamic component of our humanity- the arts. I’m honored to be a small part of this process and am excited to see the internship program grow.” Sydney, (front center) with the fall 2015 class of interns and their supervisors! Staff Spotlight: Niiyo Madison, Catering Manager By Ada Ejiou Au revoir et à bientôt Hi Friends! By the time you read this, I will be back in Belgium finishing my master’s degree. After my graduation in July 2016, I’ll look back on four years of studying as a sometimes stressful, but overall nice, experience. Since I am a very nostalgic person, I will always remember a unique part of my years as a student in a special way... Of course, I am talking about the fall of 2015 in Washington D.C. When I think about these months, a warm feeling overwhelms me. From the very first day until the last interning in the Friends office, volunteers were so nice to me. You gave me a sweater when I was cold, offered me European cookies when I was homesick, shared personal stories with me, were worried about my family after the attacks in Paris, advised me where to go to on the weekends, and someone even found out that I share my name with a mountain (the ‘K-two’). The Friends are an amazingly varied group, who are giving the best of themselves, together. Of course, I’m also thankful to Brooks and Jessica for sharing their experience and knowledge with me, and for their kindness. I didn’t know anything before I came here about arts or volunteer management. Brooks showed me very passionately how she manages the Friends program. Jessica guided me through this internship being there every minute of the day to answer all my questions. I’m sure I will see them again, either in Belgium or in D.C.! Fall Intern Travels Back to Belgium to begin her Career in the Arts  By Katoo Diegenant Niiyo was the Friends point of contact for the Volunteer Appreciation Gala on December 15. She guided us to the right tablecloths, chairs, and menu—helping to create just the right ambiance in the Atrium. She is absolutely terrific to work with!
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  8 9 A 2015Lounge Volunteer Scrapbook By Charles Rademaker, VAC Lounge Representative As 2016 begins and my days as the Lounge Representative to the Volunteer Advisory Committee draw to a close, it is important to congratulate and thank the wonderful Lounge volunteers for their professionalism, dedication, and very generous contributions. During 2015, Lounge Volunteers welcomed thousands of Kennedy Center Members and prepared an endless number of cookie platters, bowls of M&Ms, Goldfish, and pretzels, and served a staggering number of cups of beverages. All of this was accomplished with gracious style! Ourprimarycontribution,however,hasbeencontributions to customer service. Our friendly welcomes are always geared to enhance the Kennedy Center performances of KC members and guests. Here are few images that show what Lounge Volunteers have been up to during 2015: Volunteers like Bill Wortley and Marilyn Schoon travel more than a few extra miles to serve in the Lounges. 2015 marks Bill’s 35th year of volunteering at the Kennedy Center! New volunteers such as Margie Linn and Barbara Pelletier contribute their infectious enthusiasm and help keep the Member Lounges a ‘happy place.’ As always, Jovita Gross and Myles King provide the helpful assistance that makes the Member Lounges possible. The new serving platters, bowls, pitchers, and other pieces recently arrived and were made available through the efforts of Myles King and his staff. These pieces will give our beverage and food presentations a boost and improve the appearance of our serving tables. Take a look at the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ looks! As always, every Lounge volunteer is grateful for the dedication of the Lounge Scheduling Team: Judy Begal, Diane Lipsey, and Ralph Johnson. Without their dependable and consistent work, LVs would not be so well-informed about what performances are available as well as the friendly reminders that arrive about one week prior to the date and time of scheduled Lounge Duty. And, of course the Friends staff and KC staff appreciates the dedication of the Lounge Trainers who make certain new Lounge Volunteers understand KC policies and are poised to maintain our high community service standards. Looking ahead to 2016, Lounge volunteers are asked to continue to help the Housekeeping staff keep the lounges and kitchens clean and organized. Lounge Trainers will stress to both new and seasoned volunteers the importance of checking membership cards, filing reports in the VIC after each performance, and to be mindful about security initiatives such as keeping valuables locked away. It has been such a pleasure to serve as your VAC representative! Lounge volunteers Margie Linn (left) and Barbara Pelletier (right) Winding Down the Year with the WNO and Friends By David Mead, WNO VAC Representative WNO Friends helped with many aspects of the world premiere of a revised version of Philip Glass’s Appomattox, as well assisting with preparations for a holiday production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, a perennial favorite for the entire family. In early December, as part the WNO’s American Opera Initiative, the Terrace Theater was the location for the production of three newly-composed 20-minute operas featuring several of the WNO Young Artists. To start the New Year Young Artists sang in the world premiere of Luna Pearl Woolf’s Better Gods. The opera, told through the eyes of an American journalist, is the story of Queen Lili’uokalani, the last reigning Hawaiian monarch, who refused to renounce her faith and fought to preserve her people’s native culture. The hour-long opera featured a colorful score, incorporating authentic Hawaiian instruments, themes, and sounds.   In addition to these activities, the Young Artists were busy singing in the community, including performing excerpts of Georges Bizet’s Carmen before a receptive audience at Sidwell Friend’s School in northwest DC, and on the Millennium Stage, performing some highlights from Hansel and Gretel, as well as singing traditional holiday songs.  In conclusion, to all the WNO Friends, thank you for your service in 2015, and here’s to a happy 2016. By Ashley David, Membership Assistant Thank YOU and to 2016! Membership Staff is so grateful for the Friends! Greetings from the Membership Team! 2015 has come to a close and we can’t help but look back at this past year and reflect—where would we be without the Friends of the Kennedy Center? So many of you help us each and every day in so many ways—from fielding Membership questions at the Visitors Center, leading tours for our Members at WNO’s Costume Studio, making sure our Member Lounges look perfect, and supporting the Kennedy Center yourself as a Member. For all of this and more, from the bottom of our hearts, we cannot thank and appreciate you enough! We look forward to continuing our work with you to make the Kennedy Center a truly special place for our Members. in 2016. Good Bye to the VAC By Andrew Jones, Retail Operations VAC Representative A long-time dream of Friends volunteers and staff is a giant step closer to becoming a reality. James Wolfensohn, chairman of the Board of Trustees, has given the go-ahead on the construction project that will finally create a walk-in Gift Shop at the Kennedy Center. The huge success of the existing Gift Shops (despite space limitations) convinced every one of the good sense of this investment and the anticipated additional revenue it will provide for the Center. A search will soon be underway for architectural and design assistance. ... The goal is to complete the Gift Shop by the Kennedy Center’s 20th anniversary in September 1991. September 1990 Friendscript At a Million Dollar Celebration on Wednesday, August 28, the Friends thank volunteers who, through combined effort, helped earn more than $1,000,000 in Fiscal Year ‘91. At the wine and cheese party, held in the South Atrium Foyer, Managing Director Larry Wilker thanked the Friends volunteers for producing this invaluable contribution of revenue to help offset the expenses of the Center’s performing arts and public service programming. Each volunteer was presented with a “Million Dollar Volunteer” button to be worn with pride—a and a smile of satisfaction! September 1991 Friendscript Periz Mancherje remembers this day as her most memorable moment in 50th Anniversary video. SHOPS DISCOUNT DAY BEST EVER NOVEMBER 1990 NEW GIFT SHOP PROJECT GETS THE GO-AHEAD SHOPS MILLION $ CELEBRATION IN 1991 In 2015, I had the pleasure of serving as the representative for Retail Operations. It has been wonderful and enriching to meet and become friends with others who share a passion for volunteering at the Kennedy Center. I have especially enjoyed meeting those who volunteer in other areas that I would not otherwise see on my regular Wednesday night shift in the Gift Shops. As 2016 begins, I am launching a new business, D&J Bakery, in Annapolis, MD and am so grateful for the support and kind words of encouragement that everyone has given me. I hope that everyone will join me in welcoming Stephanie Gimmi as the new Gift Shops VAC representative for the next two years! She has been a dedicated volunteer for many years and will do a great job! Stephanie can be found in the Shops on Tuesday evenings. Stop by and say hi when you can! NEWSFROMTHEVAC Congratulations and thanks to the Shops volunteers who generated more than $12,000 in sales during the November staff/volunteer Discount Day, making it the best day ever for the Gift Shops! January 1991 Friendscript
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  10 New Friends atthe Tour Desk in 2015 Thoughts from the Horse’s Mouth by Tina Tate, Tour Guide VAC Representative In 2015 19 new tour guides joined the ranks of the Friends. To see how they are getting along, we asked each one three questions: what has been your favorite tour?; what part of the script do you most enjoy sharing?; and what has been your biggest surprise? The one constant themes was how friendly, supportive and encouraging the members of their shifts have been. One guide described her group as warm, wonderful, and welcoming. The new guides share the common bond of love for the arts with their newfound friends, enjoying the team camaraderie that exists. Another guide described her shift as a family rather than a group of colleagues. All new guides expressed their appreciation for the efforts their shift members are making as they train for their evaluations. Two of our new guides have enjoyed giving tours in Spanish. Elizabeth Visbeek’s favorite tour was with two El Salvadoran women with varying degrees of English and how delighted they were to have the tour in their own language. Rafael Urrutia also enjoyed giving a tour in his native language. Marilyn Tippett remembers her favorite group of interested architecture students from Catholic University who applauded when they learned she was a new Tour Guide. Stan Foster was explaining the opening of the Kennedy Center on Sept. 8, 1971 in the Opera House with Leonard Bernstein performing “Mass” when one of his guests replied she was present at this first grand performance with her family. Rafael was most surprised discovering all the wonderful gifts and art at the Center. Emailie Chandras loves seeing the reactions of awe and surprise when guests learn the Washington Monument could fit into the Grand Foyer. Sue Cohen’s biggest surprise has been the view of the scenery from the Center’s terrace and how it changes depending on the time of day, the weather, and the light. She describes it as “so beautiful but in a different way each time… quite unexpected.” Stan Foster loves to discuss the art and artists. He says, “it is particularly fun when young people are on the tour since their responses to the art can be quite surprising.” Both Elizabeth and Gina Briggs enjoy showing the Israeli Lounge and the Opera House. Visitors are not expecting the beauty and interesting design and are truly grateful to be given access to such awe-inspiring spaces. We salute our terrific team of new guides as they prepare to show off our beautiful building (most of the fall class is still in training) and to excite our guests by sharing their knowledge. Sue Cohen expressed one minor concern saying “the Shops are mighty inviting. I have to pace myself.” Even this is a plus since all proceeds from the Gifts Shops support the Kennedy Center. Rafael loves giving tours in Spanish! Gina enjoys showing guests the Israeli Lounge. November 3, 2015 Dear Barbara (Higgins), Thank you for the “whirlwind” tour of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts! I appreciate your taking time to assist me in my efforts. I also want to thank you for making every attempt to access the various halls!!! Mission accomplished. I applaud and thank you and your colleagues for being such great “Friends” to the Kennedy Center; our arts deserve that order of respect! Again, thank you. Congressman Paul D. Tonko, House of Representatives 11 ENCOURAGE GUESTS TO TWEET #KENCENTOURS Touring the Center recently, an eighth-grade class approached the Eisenhower Theater. Noting the bust of President Eisenhower, one young man turned to a companion and asked, “Who’s the bald-headed dude?” We assume he found out. July 1993 Friendscript A Place for the Spirit, the Kennedy Center tour video, has returned to the tour center on A Level and is operated by the tour guides. Currently, the VCR will rewind the tape and eject it at the end of the program. To replay, insert the tape into the VCR. It will begin to play automatically! January 1993 Friendscript FUN FACTS FROM THE TOUR DESK EARLY 1990s Tours for Young People Tour Guide Vince Careatti brings Smiles to KC TOUR KUDOS
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  12 13 Education FriendsWelcome SVP of Education Mario Rossero By Peggy Siegel, Education VAC Representative The round-a-bouts,” responded Mario R. Rossero, to a question of what surprised him the most about Washington, DC. “You make a wrong turn,” he laughed, “and you can wind up in a different state!” The occasion was the 4th Annual Education Friends meeting held on November 20. The Friends Office had invited the new Senior Vice President of Education to share his priorities and plans for the Education Division, which fortunately turned out to be much more inviting than the local traffic patterns. Based on Mario’s engaging personality and interest in the Friends, the event also was as much about his learning about us as it was about our learning about him. After asking the Friends in attendance to introduce themselves, Mario shared a power point presentation that articulated his aspirations for building future “Citizen Artists,” locally to globally. The Kennedy Center provides nearly 40 unique education programs to over 11 million people. Consequently, the Education Division is uniquely positioned to merge equity and access to arts education for all, in order to achieve the desired result, quality. Mario’s commitment and enthusiasm were infectious and coupled with a five-year strategic plan that highlights collaboration, a compelling reason for the Friends to participate. “The arts,” he observed, “create an opportunity to invite someone in and change their life forever”—a perfect transition for what turns out to be my last FriendScript article as the outgoing Education representative on the Kennedy Center’s Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC). On a personal note, I would like to thank the Friends Office for the chance to learn so much about the Kennedy Center itself, particularly during this exciting time of expansion and leadership transition, and in the company of the talented individuals on the VAC who represent the various departments. My two-year term has focused on forging a closer relationship between the Education Division and its Friends, first by continuing the practice initiated by Brooks Boeke and former VAC Education Rep Mark Raisher, to host the annual education meetings that showcase key education initiatives. In 2015, we expanded the possibility for collaboration by conducting a survey to identify and then match the individual skills, experiences, and interests of the Friends to Education’s needs and strategic priorities. Responding to their request, we also provided the tour guides with Education Division publications so they could provide additional information to interested tour attendees. Hopefully, these activities will continue during the term of Bervin Elliott, my successor on the VAC, whose extensive management skills honed in the military, and in other volunteer experiences, technological skills, and upbeat personality will no doubt provide invaluable contributions to the VAC. On November 20, Friends welcomed Senior Vice President of Education Mario Rossero. Facebook and Friends: a ‘Social’ Network By Katoo Diegenant First of all, The ‘Friends of the Kennedy Center’ Facebook page would like to thank you for all your likes in 2015! As we get ready for 2016, we want to increase our visibility tenfold! Don’t forget to keep telling the other Friends—and your other friends, family, and anyone you know who loves the performing arts!—about this page. We don’t want anyone to miss the history facts which we plan to continue for the foreseeable future, Friends in Action, and many wonderful memories we share on a regular basis on the ‘Friends of the Kennedy Center’ Facebook wall. Once you’ve liked the page, there are a lot more tricks to make the page more lively and interactive. And that’s exactly what the social media platforms are all about: creating a community feeling. Let’s start with an easy tool to use: the like-button. Everybody can click the like-button at any time when there’s something posted on the Friends wall. This means that when there’s a picture, a history fact, or a ‘Friends in Action’ post that puts a smile on your face, you have to click the like button! Also, as a friend of the page, you are able to post photos on the wall yourself. Don’t keep nice memories to yourself; share them with other Friends. Once a photo is posted, everybody who likes the pages can comment or like the post. So, feel free to write comments on the posts and pictures posted on the page. It’s also possible, if you don’t have a smartphone or a camera, to make a Facebook post on the Friends wall about a nice volunteer experience. Let’s make this page an even more friendly and vivid place this year! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 CHINESE NEW YEAR FAMILY DAY Thank you to all signed up to volunteer! We have 18 Friends, 25 Festival/Event Volunteers, 12 NexGenFriends and 14 new volunteers! Be sure to keep tweeting #NexGenFriends #GlobalFriends Upcoming Events Be sure to look for the feature on the Gift Shop Friends in Playbill! The Outreach Committee has many goals this year. On the top of the agenda are tour promotion and our perennial favorites of promoting Festival/Event activities, Global Friends and NexGenFriends. The NGF will continue to attract individuals 35 years and younger to events and social activities at the Kennedy Center. The Chinese New Year Family Day is just around the corner on February 6 (where Global Friends Mandarin speakers will be utilized), and the Irish Festival (on the horizon in June) will need many volunteers to make it a stellar success. Additionally, more video projects are in the works as well as special foreign language tours given by Global Friends, an on-line tour survey, a new look to the Friends web page, and reaching out to other arts-related 35 and under groups around town. Keep watching this article in future FriendScripts regarding several surprises throughout the year too! Friends Outreach: Looking to 2016! by Bob Bahr, Friends Outreach Committee Highlights in 2015 • New slides for KC Kiosks promoting the Friends, • Festival/Event, Global Friends, and NexGenFriends • Friends features in Playbill • Global Friends Steering Committee established • 4th Annual NexGenFriends Theater • 50th Anniversary Video Project • Special Outreach Presentation about the Friends program to the Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board in October • Completion of Global Friends PowerPoint Presentation promoting arts volunteerism globally • Millennium Stage Happy Hours for Global Friends and NexGenFriends AND SO MUCH MORE! The new expanded FriendScript format allows for the inclusion of a long-awaited feature, “Volunteer Spotlight.” This article will provide an opportunity to highlight different volunteers who go “above and beyond” when fulfilling their volunteer positions. ... Stepping into the “Spotlight” in the premiere of this feature are the new officers of the Volunteer Advisory Committee . . . Mel Tanchel and Loretta Berg. February 1990 Friendscript According to [the] Kennedy Center webmaster, FriendScript is “one of the most frequently downloaded documents on the Kennedy Center website.” January 1999 Friendscript Now the first time you write an article for Friendscript you will receive the spectacular new Friendscript, The Official Newsletter of The Friends of the Kennedy Center Tee Shirt. The 100% cotton shirt boasts the Kennedy Center logo on its back and, just like its progenitor, it is white with black lettering. September 1994 Friendscript FRIENDSCRIPT IN THE NEWS OUTREACHNEWS
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  14 15 Looking Aheadto the 100th Anniversary of the Friends By Katoo Diegenant We recently officially celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Friends organization on December 15. The golden- themed gala was full of joy and appreciation gifts, but above all it was a cozy dinner, surrounded with friendships built in and around the Kennedy Center. Thank you all for your presence! In light of the countdown to the 50th anniversary, his- tory facts were posted throughout 2015 on the Friends’ Facebook page. Keep reading as the 51st anniversary is upon us and more fun facts will be posted throughout the year. But what about the future? What will the “Futuristic Friends” volunteering experiences look like in 50 years? • Tour Guides will have floating trains to transport the visitors. • The Gift Shop volunteers will be singing songs when you come in during the holiday period. • The Visitor Center volunteers will have a special chair with a build-in computer. One click on the button of the chair will look up every asked question and send the answers to the earplugs of the VIC-Friends. This also gets rid of the large computer screens at the desk: visitors of the Kennedy Center will have the chance to see the greeting smiling faces of the volunteers a lot better! • Two hands won’t be enough to help out the Friends office staff managing the 5000 (!) volunteers. The Admin volunteers will have a computer-controlled extra pair of hands! • In 50 years, the Friends office will thank the volunteers every month with a boat-party on the Potomac River. An enjoyable meal of insects, colored French fries and non-fat meat will be served. Are you ready? Throughout the year, the Friends Office gets a steady stream of requests for volunteers from departments throughout the Kennedy Center. From Dance Programming to Development to Group Sales to Education to Institutional Affairs to Performing Arts for Everyone to the Washington National Opera, the Friends and Festival/Event volunteers stuff, stamp, seal, greet, deliver, escort...and smile! Admin Support: It’s not magic! By Jessica Zaluzec 227 Volunteers supported Staff for special projects in 2015! SOME INTERESTING TIDBITS FROM BEHIND THE SCENES • On average, at least one request was received weekly; • On average seven volunteers were needed monthly • The month with the most requests was July with 12 projects; • In June, 53 volunteers assisted other departments; • In October, 50 volunteers were needed; • And 227 volunteers were utilized in 2015! It takes a village. So far this year, 42 Friends and Festival/Event Volunteers have stepped to the plate to assist KC Staff with special admin projects! FROM “WANTED: COMMITTEE TO DOCUMENT FRIENDS HISTORY” BY MICHELE CALHOUN The 1996 VAC Chairperson, Muriel Ardery, suggested establishing a committee to assist in documenting the history of the Friends. The new VAC discussed this at its January meeting and approved the proposal. Many people have been very helpful about suggesting names of people to contact, places to research, and things to collect for our history. The Friends history started over 25 years ago, so there is a lot to research and learn from the past. In addition, we need to capture what is happening now. There are many ways this job can be broken down to reasonable sizes. I am looking for people interested in heading up different history subcommittees. February 1997 Friendscript FROM “HISTORIANS DIGGING INTO FRIENDS’ PAST” BY MICHELE CALHOUN The Kennedy Center is such an important part of our lives and the cultural center for this city and the nation. Did you know that it was once highly controversial? To quote The Washington Post, September 3, 1972, “Even before it went up, the Center seemed a custom-built target for critical assault. The very size of the project, the inevitable glare of the national spotlight, a much criticized design and a bitterly debated site, the quagmire of finances, and word-shrouded disagreement over the Center’s fundamental purposes—all these fanned controversy.” The Historian Committee is finding many interesting facts as we are all digging into the past. Many of the fascinating things we discover may never make it into the final version of our published History, but will add to our understanding of the development of the Center and our organization. Some may also add to the useless trivia our brains collect. It is definitely a rewarding walk back in time. June 1997 Friendscript From “Friends Honored at White House” The Friends volunteers are the proud recipients of a 1991 Presi- dent’s Volunteer Action Award. Chairman James D. Wolfen- sohn, the Friends 551st volun- teer, accepted the award from President Bush at the April 26 awards ceremony on the White House South Lawn. Following the awards ceremony Chairman Wolfensohn and Friends Direc- tor of Volunteers Heller Ann Shapiro attended the luncheon in the State Dining Room of the White House with President and Mrs. Bush, several Cabinet members, and the other award recipients. June 1991 Friendscript Six inches of snow made it necessary to reschedule the annual Volunteer Recognition Party to Thursday, Decem- ber 14. Approximately 250 people attended and a good time was had by all. From January 1990 Friendscript From “A World Without Volunteers” Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Erma Bombeck, a columnist who used humor to illuminate serious aspects of life, wrote about a dream she’d had in which every volunteer in this country had set sail for another land. After they left, she passed a hospital that had no one at the reception desk, no clowns in the children’s wing . . . a home for the aged, where the elderly were without com- panionship and help . . . closed social agencies . . . churches without flowers on the altar . . . and so on. But the saddest thing, she wrote, was the symphony hall that was dark and would remain that way . . . and the closed museums. It makes us wonder what this great institution would be like without you, our volunteers—you who are Friends of the Kennedy Center in more than one meaning of the word. It would not, could not, be the nation’s center for the performing arts. From all of the administrative staff here at the Center, we salute you during National Volunteer Week. April 1999 Friendscript EMBRYO STAGES OF FRIENDS HISTORY PROJECT RECOGNITION HIGHLIGHTS 1990s LOOKING TO 2016!
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  16 Like us onFacebook! facebook.com/FriendsoftheKennedyCenter Tweet about your volunteer experience! #KCFriends #NexGenFriends #GlobalFriends Visitors Center Friend Ward Morris on Monday after the snowstorm! Dave Acklin, Wataan Austin, Neil Clark, and Fred Gordon prepare for the storm. Washington D.C. reported 23 inches of snow! In the News Welcome New 2016 VAC Members (left to right) Bervin Elliott, (Education), Stephanie Gimmi (Retail Operations), John Lucio (Millennium Stage, not pictured), Nancy Reid (Friendscript), and Iris Straus (Lounges) The Friends office will have new neighbors!  Very soon  the Group Sales and Subscription Departments will be moving temporarily to the Concert Hall, 1st Tier while the Terrace Theater is being renovated. Details to follow regarding directing our visitors to these departments!. Ten Festival/Event and NexGenFrieinds recently joined the Child Minder team of volunteers that support Dance Programming and the WNO. 4th Bi-annual Shift Leader Refresher took place on January 30 with David Schott, Director of Security, and Jessica Swanson, Manager of Accessibility. The agenda included a special “tour” of key emergency exits and how to assist patrons with disabilities as related to security and safety procedures at the Kennedy Center. Online Tour Survey is coming soon to KC Tour web page! How did you find out about our tour? Tour highlights? How can we improve the Kennedy Center tour experience? Describe your tour experience in one word! Survey cards will also be available at the Tour Desk which will remind tour attendees to spread the word with #KenCenTours! Introducing new Visitors Center Behind-the-Scenes Tour to be launched this spring including locations such as the Loading Dock, Usher’s Desk, Administrative Offices, and much more! 4th Annual NexGenFriends Theater Video coming soon to the NexGenFriends web page, produced by NexGenFriend Travis Kirspel. Share your experien #KenCenTours @kencenFriendsoftheKennedyCenter KennedyCenter Share your experien #KenCenTours @kencenFriendsoftheKennedyCenter KennedyCenter CELEBRATING 51 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE KENNEDY CENTER IN 2016!