Winter Applause

Winter 2012–13 • A newsletter for the friends of Ruth Eckerd Hall at the Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts.

What’s Inside... p. 2 Meet Our New CFO

p. 3 Refer a Friend – Save 10% or Earn a Free Membership

p. 4 Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders Premieres at the Capitol Theatre to Sold-Out Crowds

p. 6 Ovations Food Services to Bring Their Signature Fresh Food Approach to Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Capitol Theatre

p. 8 1st Annual Dare To Dream Awards Showcases Student Talent

p. 9 Project: Shattered Silence Grows

p. 10 Volunteer Usher Fund Supports Arts Education Scholarships

727.791.7400

Tue, Feb 26 • 8pm Wed, Feb 27 • 8pm In an empty theater, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for – with every drop of sweat, every hour of training. It’s an opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed of – dance. A Chorus Line is the musical for everyone who has ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards® (including Best Musical) and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation returns for an all-new tour with a new generation of Broadway’s best! “Blows the sequins off most Broadway musicals!” according to Entertainment Weekly. If you have your tickets, we’ll see you at the show! If you need tickets to one or more of the three performances, call the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office at 727.791.7400.

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MEET OUR NEW CFO

Lori A. James, Ruth Eckerd Hall’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Lori A. James is Ruth Eckerd Hall’s new Chief Financial Officer. She joins Ruth Eckerd Hall with nearly 14 years of not-for-profit auditing and corporate financial experience including most recently as Chief Financial Officer for the South County Family YMCA, Inc. in Venice, Florida. Zev Buffman, Ruth Eckerd Hall President and CEO, commented, “We are so pleased to welcome Lori to the Ruth Eckerd Hall family. During her six years at the YMCA, she was actively involved in the establishment of a charter school, growth and expansion from two to five branches as well as construction and its related financing. Lori brings a wealth of knowledge to lead in the management of financial obligations of Ruth Eckerd Hall.” In response, Lori said, “I am extremely excited to be joining such a prestigious performing arts organization. I look forward to becoming involved in the diverse activities and outreach of Ruth Eckerd Hall.” She will be responsible for all financial operations and will work directly with Zev to strategize and implement financial goals for the Hall. Lori is a graduate of Ohio State University and has several family members still living in Ohio. She has two sons, Robert and Aaron. Lori loves sports and plays tennis, golf and softball.

PROMOTIONS IN MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED

Eric Blankenship, Ruth Eckerd Hall’s newly promoted Chief Marketing Officer.

Megan Brennan, Ruth Eckerd Hall’s newly promoted Director of Marketing.

Nancy Dietrich, Ruth Eckerd Hall’s newly promoted Director of Special Events.

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Eric Blankenship joined Ruth Eckerd Hall in September 2011 as the Director of Marketing. He has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. Eric continues to lead the Marketing Department that includes advertising, media buying, promotions, digital media, public relations, group sales, advertising sales and graphic design. He will become more involved in various activities including the renovation of the Capitol Theatre and Ruth Eckerd Hall. Eric will also work more closely with Zev Buffman, Ruth Eckerd Hall President and CEO on longterm strategy and financial planning. He has a vast career in the sports, venue and entertainment industry.

Megan Brennan joined Ruth Eckerd Hall in 2007 as the Marketing Manager. She has been promoted to Director of Marketing.

Megan will oversee the day-to-day management of the Marketing Department staff and will continue overseeing the planning and executing of all facets of media advertising. She will expand her role to take on additional responsibilities including strategic planning and revenue goals. Megan joined the Hall from Live Nation, where she was the Promotions and Marketing Manager for the North Florida region. Megan is a graduate of Perdue University.

Nancy Dietrich rejoined Ruth Eckerd Hall in 2009 as the Special Event Manager. Nancy has been promoted to Director of Special Events. Her job duties will be enhanced to provide oversight and expertise to ensure all fundraising and community events presented by Ruth Eckerd Hall maintain a reputation, expectation and brand of excellence for the organization. Drawing on her previous experience with The Kennedy Center and the University of Maryland, some of the new components of her job will be to help establish standardized procedures for special events presented by Ruth Eckerd Hall to be used organization-wide.

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SAVE 10% ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR EARN A FREE MEMBERSHIP!

KICKS OFF FOURTH SEASON Friends of Music kicked off its fourth season with a private show by favorites Counting Crows, who released a new album this year, Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation), at the Capitol Theatre in early November. The pre-party was held at The Sage, a beautiful new event venue on Ft. Harrison Avenue in downtown Clearwater with a fall-inspired menu generously donated by BayStar Restaurant Group. Founding members received a Q&A with the band before they took the stage and were able to take photos with the band.

Members enjoy many special benefits including the best opportunity to get great seats and free parking all year long.

Next up: Matchbox Twenty on March 15, 2013!!!

Always getting asked to purchase tickets for your friends?

Help them become a MEMBER. • You save 10% or more on your 2013 membership renewal.* • Offer valid only when new members sign up by March 31, 2013.

Get started today by contacting Melissa Reddington, Director of Membership at MReddington@rutheckerdhall.net or 727.712.2723.

From left to right; front row; center: Founding Friends of Music members Arlene Fana with her husband Dr. Miguel Fana, Jr. had the opportunity to meet members of the band Counting Crows.

*Details: Redeemable for 2013 membership fee credit only. Offer applies to new memberships only.

Renewal of a current membership does not qualify. No cash value. Not applicable to tickets, gift certificates, concession or any other Ruth Eckerd Hall purchase.

MEMBERS EXPERIENCE GOES BEYOND SEEING A SHOW TO FORMING BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP According to Steven DeGeorge and Vicki Hough, members since 2007, “The recent Price Is Right show was fabulous! My guests and I had a wonderful time in the best venue anywhere! The staff was great getting everyone signed in for a chance to play. The speedy process worked great.

There were many patrons in funky attire and costumes hoping for a chance to play and wow the show staff and audience. One hopeful contestant had a sign that described how she needed to scratch The Price is Right off her bucket list. Your bartenders are the ultimate hosts in the Hoffman Dress Circle Lounge providing refreshment and friendship. As always, the ushers were so nice and helpful – they are priceless volunteers. The security staff allowed a high level of excitement, in an orderly fashion, of course. The valet service was impeccable. The seats your staff selected for us were simply amazing, we could feel the excitement of the contestants and show hosts.

Our experience at Ruth Eckerd Hall goes beyond just seeing a show.

Our chats with all the staff members sharing stories from our lives and their kind words of appreciation are what really keeps us coming back. Everyone gives us the red carpet treatment and we so appreciate that. We have also made great friends just by being behind the scenes and at Circle of Stars events.”

727.791.7400

From left to right: Vicki Hough and Steven DeGeorge, members since 2007 enjoy many performances at Ruth Eckerd Hall including the recent Price Is Right.

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PREMIERES AT THE CAPITOL THEATRE TO SOLD-OUT CROWDS In mid November, Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders premiered at the Capitol Theatre.

Seven of the eight performances sold out. Based upon statistics from ticket sales, 80% of those that attended had never been to the Capitol Theatre and 60% had never been to an event in downtown Clearwater. This new production partners Ruth Eckerd Hall with the City of Clearwater and our community to help develop the economy and assist in increasing tourism. It is Ruth Eckerd Hall’s first step toward turning the Hall into a “show producing” organization, sending national tours to other performing arts centers. Actor Gary Sandy, who portrayed several lead roles in the production, commented, “It is such a thrill to be in this wonderful theater. Zev Buffman told me he was going to present these four lost and found classics to a live theater audience and we did!”

Prior to the opening night performance, a Circle of Stars Party was catered by Besa Grill at The Sage, an event venue on Ft. Harrison Avenue and a Street Festival was held on Cleveland Street, which was transformed into a London street fair with vintage cars, a swing band, bagpipers and students dressed as the Queen’s Guard. A riveting video created by Best Audio Visual was shown prior to the start of the play, displaying the history of the Capitol Theatre in pictures as well as song. In 2013, Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders will be performed at The Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Stay tuned for information on Ruth Eckerd Hall’s next “self-produced” show, a tradition that will continue for years to come.

From left to right: Prior to the opening of Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders, Zev Buffman, Ruth Eckerd Hall President and CEO and George Cretekos, Clearwater Mayor, attended an event in front of the Capitol Theatre that proclaimed November 8 as Agatha Christie Day and changed the name of Cleveland Street to Agatha Christie Way until the conclusion of the performances.

Circle of Stars members enjoyed a pre-show party with beverages and food catered by Besa Grill at The Sage, an event venue on Ft. Harrison Avenue.

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

The Dunedin Pipe and Drum Band and The Ten O’Clock Band were two of the many live entertainment groups at the Street Festival on Cleveland Street in front of the Capitol Theatre prior to the Opening Night Premiere of Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders.

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Left to right: Bruce Fulmann, Tampa Bay Times Vice President of Sales & Marketing, presented a $100,000 check toward the Capital Campaign to George Cretekos, Clearwater Mayor and Zev Buffman, Ruth Eckerd Hall President and CEO as part of the Opening Night Premiere. This gift represents their largest donation to Ruth Eckerd Hall and they challenge other businesses to support the Capital Campaign and the Capitol Theatre. They have been a supporter of the Hall for over 30 years.

Melinda Peterson portrayed Dame Agatha Christie in Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders.

Agatha Christie has become the best-selling novelist of all time. She falls third, only to William Shakespeare and the Bible, as having the most widely published books of all time. At her death in 1976, Agatha Christie had written 66 detective novels and more than 15 short story collections. Her books have been translated into 103 languages, making her the most translated individual author of all time.

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Gary Sandy portrayed a variety of lead roles in Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders.

He is best known for his role as Andy Travis in the classic television series, WKRP in Cincinnati. He also received critical acclaim for his role in Norman Lear’s All That Glitters and for over seven years played villains on Another World: Somerset and The Secret Storm.

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

www.RuthEckerdHall.com

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GROUNDBREAKING HELD Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater held a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the Capitol Theatre in mid December. Nearly 100 supporters, patrons and Clearwater residents attended. Located in downtown Clearwater’s Cleveland Street District, the Capitol Theatre was constructed in 1921 and is one of Florida’s oldest operating theaters.

In the spring of 2013, the Capitol Theatre will close for major construction that includes three new adjacent buildings, which will form a U around the main building, additional, allnew seating, expanded lobby areas, restrooms and dressing rooms, a large new rooftop terrace, an exterior wrap-around second-floor balcony and a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art theatrical stage.

Renovated Capitol Theatre Architect: Fowler Associates Architects, Inc. / Rendering: Shep Art Studio

“This is a proud moment in the continuing partnership between the City of Clearwater and Ruth Eckerd Hall. This groundbreaking ushers in a new era of world-class performances at the Capitol Theatre and breathes new excitement into Clearwater’s Cleveland Street District,” said George Cretekos, Clearwater Mayor.

“When I joined Ruth Eckerd Hall in January 2012, my first priority was to rebuild and renew this theater and for it to be the crown jewel and anchor of downtown Clearwater,” said Zev Buffman, Ruth Eckerd Hall President and CEO. “This vision is coming true! This could not have happened without our partner, the City of Clearwater, its Mayor and the City Council.”

The Capitol Theatre will remain open until the spring of 2013. Construction is scheduled to be complete by the fall of 2013.

Members of the Clearwater City Council, the Clearwater City Mayor, Ruth Eckerd Hall executives and Board of Directors as well as Clearwater City residents participate in the mid December groundbreaking ceremony at the Capitol Theatre.

Photo credit: City of Clearwater

SECOND TECHNICAL THEATER CAREER TRAINING MASTER CLASS HELD In mid November, the second Technical Theater Career Training class was held at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater on the set of the Florida premiere of Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders. This unique educational experience enabled 50 local students from three colleges and six high schools the opportunity to participate in a handson workshop that focused on scenic design techniques from three award-winning instructors. Production Resource Group (PRG), the world’s leading supplier of entertainment and event technology provided integrated services and equipment, including audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging, scenery and motion control systems. PRG is the primary partner on this program. “The first seminar was an overwhelming success,” said Zev Buffman, Ruth Eckerd Hall President & CEO. “The feedback from the students, teachers and parents was exciting and tells us we are on the right path. As we know, today is all about jobs, Students and instructors attended the second Technical Theater Career Training class held at jobs, jobs. We are actively and immediately preparing the the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater. young people of this community to go forth and get a job with real skills they can use right now in the entertainment technical industry, which only has three percent unemployment! We are pleased to be partners with PRG, the schools and the colleges in the development of higher education and job readiness for our young people. No other performing arts center in the nation offers this free collaborative opportunity.” Two additional free Technical Theater Career Training seminars will be held in the coming months.

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SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE From left to right: The Forte Group – Front row: Ami Forte, Managing Director, Wealth Advisor and James Streitmatter, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor.

Back row: Evan Forte, CRPS, Financial Advisor, Chuck D. Riggs, III, Financial Advisor and Chuck Lawrence, Associate Vice President, Financial Advisor.

The Forte Group and Morgan Stanley are proud to support Ruth Eckerd Hall in its mission to help people master, experience, discover and explore quality performing arts in the Tampa Bay area. As a member of the Ruth Eckerd Hall board, Financial Advisor Ami Forte has a front row seat to see the many ways the organization benefits the groups it serves. “Helping each other connects us as people,” she explains, “and the performing arts add perspective, balance and fulfillment to so many lives.” As a corporate sponsor, Morgan Stanley lends support to this and many other cultural institutions that enrich the lives of communities all over the world. The Forte Group at Morgan Stanley can be reached at 4114 Woodlands Parkway, Suite #200, Palm Harbor, FL 34685 or at 727.773.4610. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC

RECOGNIZED WITH LOCAL AWARD FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE ARTS The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa’s mission statement, “Little hotel, Big heart,” guides the resort team in all aspects of its operations, from guest service to teamwork to engagement within the local Tampa Bay area community. Resort associates are committed to giving back with both their time and financial resources.

They are proud to be a corporate sponsor of numerous events and organizations that are nonprofit driven and help the betterment of the local community. Several of these organizations support the arts and arts education in the Tampa Bay area including Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and Clearwater Blast Fridays. Recently, their support was rewarded with the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) Impact Award.

Through their many charitable contributions, Hyatt is a prime example of what a true philanthropic leader can be and how one company really can truly make a difference.

From left to right: Frank Hibbard, Former Mayor of Clearwater, Brian Kramer, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, Zev Buffman, President and CEO, Ruth Eckerd Hall and Stephanie Smith, Chief Development Officer, Ruth Eckerd Hall with the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and Arts (TBBCA) Impact Award.

OVATIONS FOOD SERVICES TO BRING THEIR SIGNATURE FRESH FOOD APPROACH TO RUTH ECKERD HALL AND THE CAPITOL THEATRE Ovations Food Services, a specialist in food and beverage catering and concessions for public assembly facilities, was selected last November to provide high-level, quality food presentation and customer service to Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Capitol Theatre. Ovations immediately rolled out their Everything’s Fresh™ philosophy and will introduce the Ultimate Bar Experience, expanding on the theater’s already successful wine bar. Additionally, they will introduce new pre-show food offerings in the East Side Café with a uniquely branded Plā Bistro™ concept and customize offerings to match the event’s theme. “I have been visiting Ruth Eckerd Hall with my family since moving to Florida in 1991 and have enjoyed the entertainment choices provided,” said Todd Wickner, Chief Operating Oficer, Ovations Food Services. “I am excited to deliver Ovations’ creative ideas and services with an already great operating facility.” According to Zev Buffman, President and CEO, Ruth Eckerd Hall, “I have had a long and successful friendship with the leaders of Comcast - Spectacor, Ovations’ parent company. They have managed to grow successfully as an industry giant – WITHOUT losing an impeccable, intimate touch with their clients. They will help turn another key corner in the constant reinvention of Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Capitol Theatre.”

www.RuthEckerdHall.com

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THANK YOU TO RUTH ECKERD HALL’S CORPORATE PARTNERS Support our partners because they support the Hall and the arts in our community!

Progress Energy 2012-13 Season Sponsor

OLDSMAR

Become a Corporate Partner, receive exceptional exposure, recognition and visibility, as well as the knowledge that you are helping to make the Tampa Bay community a better place to work, live and play.

727.791.7400

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1ST ANNUAL DARE TO DREAM AWARDS SHOWCASES MARCIA P. HOFFMAN PERFORMING ARTS INSTITUTE AT RUTH ECKERD HALL STUDENT TALENT

In late November, the first annual Dare to Dream Awards, a new and exciting fundraising event, was held to showcase the breadth of students trained at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Nationally recognized comedian Tim Wilkins was the Master of Ceremonies. Guests enjoyed a buffet reception, chance prize drawings and the opportunity to choose the “Fan Favorite” in the competition. The highlight of the evening was a live and final round of high school students competing for first place scholarships in dance, drama, vocal, instrumental jazz and instrumental classical selected by respected local and nationally recognized judges.

Celebrity judge Quentin Darrington, who has had leading roles in Broadway musicals such as Ragtime, The Lion King and Memphis participated in the judging in all categories. Quentin is also a former student and scholarship winner at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall. First prize scholarship recipients received $3,000 each with the Fan Favorite receiving $1,000. The total prizes awarded during the evening was $23,500. Event proceeds benefit the Ruth Eckerd Hall Youth Scholarships and Tuition Assistance Programs offered at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Nearly $75,000 was raised.

AND THE FIRST PLACE WINNERS WERE. . .

Instrumental Jazz

Aaron Lehrian Performed Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn

Instrumental Classical

Cameron MacMillan Performed Gigue from Bach’s Third Cello Suite in C Major

Drama & Vocal For drama, she performed Dog Sees God from Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Rachel Bert V. Royal.

Salzman For vocal, she performed Unusual Way by Maury Yeston from the musical Nine.

CONTINUES THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS For the fourth year, Dillard’s held a fashion show on Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Main Stage complete with shopping, lunch, discounts, coupons, opportunity tickets, live music, lights and runway models. This event was attended by nearly 400 supporters. Tim Wilkins, nationally recognized comedian, was the Master of Ceremonies. Dawn Zachman, Dillard’s Southeast Division Special Events Director and Mary White, Dillard’s Store Manager, Countryside were thanked for their support. Fashion Takes Center Stage presented

by Dillard’s is a Charity of Choice event and benefits the Hall’s arts education programs.

Models at Fashion Takes Center Stage presented by Dillard’s walk the runway on Ruth Eckerd Hall’s Main Stage and demonstrate the latest fashions to audience members.

Photo credit: Jeff O’Kelley

Dance

Fan Favorite

Jessica Sullivan

Esther Schneider

Performed Terrible Things choreographed

by Beth Caprio

Performed Done Lieta from Puccini’s La Boheme.

THE 1ST ANNUAL DARE TO DREAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS: PRESENTING SPONSORS

DREAM SPONSORS

The Forte Group The McDonald Group The Abelson Group

STAR SPONSOR DEX Imaging, Inc. Pinch A Penny, Inc.

INSPIRING SPONSORS

Clearwater American Association of University Women Kim and Ray Ferrara Lisa and Ken Hamilton Joan and Michael Kline Nelson W. Morrow Nancy and Ray Murray PDR Certified Public Accountants Deborah and Charlie Rutz Barbara and Eric Schmitz

Cantonis Family Foundation Creative Contractors, Inc. Elite Travel

Stradivarius Society Gala

Featuring Joshua Bell

Fri, Feb 22 5:30pm Call 727.712.2760 for details

www.RuthEckerdHall.com

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PROJECT: SHATTERED SILENCE GROWS Project: Shattered Silence started in 2009 with a group of 17 adolescents (ages 15 – 18). These groups of teens are from a broad demographic background and they explore issues from different viewpoints and then unite them into a performance known as a conversation piece or transformational theater. The stories that they share are personal, true and include such topics as prejudice, cutting, eating disorders, suicide, bullying and more.

Four years later, Project: Shattered Silence has grown to 49 participants.

The performances have moved and transformed many who have seen them. Hundreds of testimonial letters, e-mails, texts and tweets have been sent from audience members of all backgrounds from a 77-year-old grandmother to a 19-year-old friend of a participant. Project: Shattered Silence has turned into something bigger with lessons learned both professionally and personally, both art skills and life skills. A fifth anniversary show is planned for this summer with 36 alumni; bringing the total involvement for this summer to a total of 85 teens and young adults who will be sharing their true life stories.

Participants in Project: Shattered Silence share their stories with audience members to “shatter the silence” of contemporary issues usually not discussed in any forum in an honest and open way.

Recently Project: Shattered Silence was nominated for a WEDU Be More Award.

The winners will be announced in late February. Additionally, Project: Shattered Silence may be featured in an upcoming WEDU documentary. To help support the fundraising for this documentary, please go to https://www.projectshatteredsilence. com. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting, cutting-edge program or contact Jared O’Roark, Resident Teaching Artist at 727.712.2746.

DOLPHIN, HARMONY, UNVEILED As part of the project created by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Clearwater to artistically showcase the bottlenose dolphin, Friends of Music at Ruth Eckerd Hall unveiled Harmony, the Friends of Music dolphin, at the Counting Crows concert this past November. Over 80 dolphins are showcased throughout Pinellas County and beyond. The project has been a tremendous team effort. Both sponsors and artists have had fun with their designs and naming their dolphins. Harmony, the Friends of Music dolphin will be housed at Ruth Eckerd Hall throughout the season. Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda, the Whimzey Twinz from Safety Harbor, are the artists behind the Friends of Music dolphin. Working in a studio-home that has become a well-known place to take visitors to in the Tampa Bay area, where Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute’s Rhythm and Sole Todd and Kiaralinda create Tap Ensemble at the unveiling of art in a variety of forms that Harmony, the Friends of they sell across the nation Music dolphin. and around the world.

Photo credit: Beth Caprio

THANK YOU TO RUTH ECKERD HALL’S GRANTOR PARTNERS Support for Ruth Eckerd Hall is provided in part through the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Clearwater and the Leading Ladies of Ruth Eckerd Hall.

The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute and the Eckerd Theater Company are supported in part by South Arts, The Tampa Bay Times Fund, Inc., Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., the Pinellas Community Foundation, Eckerd Family Foundation, New York Life, The MetLife Foundation, The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Roy M. Speer Foundation, Target, The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc., Pinellas Cultural Foundation, Macy’s, Friends of Music and the Volunteer Usher Fund.

727.791.7400

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THANKS TO MEMBERS’ SUPPORT ECKERD THEATER COMPANY’S VOTE? IMPACTS STUDENTS During the 2012 presidential election, Ruth Eckerd Hall’s own Eckerd Theater Company played a unique role.

September through November, Eckerd Theater Company toured their commissioned play VOTE?, by Eric Coble.

The play was also featured in the September 2012 issue of American Theatre Magazine, which gave it national exposure. VOTE? was showcased at Ruth Eckerd Hall in one special performance on election day for local Tampa Bay Eckerd Theater Company actors area students. The students perform VOTE? for school-aged also participated in a unique children, who also were allowed to educational opportunity “cast their vote” during the recent allowing them to “cast presidential election. their vote” in a pre-show mock election in the lobbies for the presidential candidates provided by Kids Voting Tampa Bay. What a great example of the difference YOUR membership support makes in our community! Thank you!

JOHNNY MAESTRO VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED The Johnny Maestro Vocal Scholarship was established in 2011 by Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na and the staff at Ruth Eckerd Hall. This scholarship honors the memory of his dear friend - singer, songwriter and lyricist, Johnny Maestro. The scholarship funds provide the opportunity for a selected student to participate in all areas of vocal studies at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Katie Michaels is this year’s winner.

She is a 17-year-old senior at Countryside High School and has studied at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute for six years. Katie has graced the Murray stage in Asylum and Eckerd Theater Company’s Twelfth Night.

She plans to pursue a From left to right: Jon “Bowzer” college degree in Musical Bauman with Katie Michaels, Theater and move to “The winner of this year’s Johnny Big Apple.”

Maestro Vocal Scholarship.

FRED TRAVALENA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED The Fred Travalena Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Ruth Eckerd Hall’s dear friend – Fred Travalena who was an actor, singer, songwriter, lyricist, variety performer, recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and USO entertainer of our troops abroad.

In keeping with Fred’s special relationship with and commitment to our military, this fund provides opportunities for members of military families to study music, drama and/or dance at the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall. This year’s scholarship was presented to the family of Army Sergeant 1C Phillip “Scott” Simmons and Shawn-Marie Simmons to benefit McKenzie “Zoe,” age 15 to study drama and the family of Marine Corps. Retired Corporal E4C Timothy Hengst and Beth Hengst to benefit David, age 8 to study voice and Anthony, age 14 to study piano.

From left to right: Shawn-Marie Simmons, McKenzie “Zoe” Simmons, Lois Travalena and Army Sergeant Phillip “Scott” Simmons. Zoe will use the Fred Travalena Memorial Scholarship to study drama.

From left to right; back row: Beth Hengst, Anthony Hengst and Lois Travalena. Front row: David Hengst. Anthony will use the Fred Travalena Memorial Scholarship to study piano and David will study voice. Not pictured: Marine Corps. Retired Corporal Timothy Hengst.

VOLUNTEER USHER FUND SUPPORTS ARTS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS It started as an idea in 2010. The volunteer ushers wanted to contribute to Ruth Eckerd Hall something even more than their generous time so they began a special Volunteer Usher Fund. Then an anonymous donor gave the fund $5,000 for scholarships and another $5,000 a year later.

The scholarship fund supports Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute students who have shown dedication and commitment to nurturing and developing their skills but paying for private lessons had become a hardship. Last year, eight students were selected and an additional six were selected in the second year with matching funds from the Robert and Leslie Freedman Scholarship Fund.

They studied piano, violin, voice and opera voice. Each of these students were in danger of losing this training opportunity had it not been for this gift. Jaaved Khan, who was awarded a scholarship for piano said, “With the award that I was given, this will encourage me to practice more and do Jaaved Khan was recently much better. I cannot thank you enough.” awarded a scholarship to continue On behalf of the students who can pursue piano lessons thanks to the Volunteer Usher Fund. their dreams, thank you to the ushers and to the anonymous donor!

www.RuthEckerdHall.com

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HOWARD HAMILTON’S LEGACY Howard Hamilton of Clearwater passed away in late February 2012. He was born in Vincennes, Indiana in 1932. Howard grew up in a house off Drew Street during the Great Depression. He met his future wife, Jean, at Clearwater Junior High. He was the owner of the Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach since 1964. Built in 1926, the Palm is the oldest operating beach pavilion in Florida. Additionally, it was Howard’s idea for the city to design and open the South Beach Pavilion, which the Hamilton family leased and operated for 35 years. He was a ceramic engineer from Georgia Tech by trade but Howard didn’t want to work in an office. “He was so involved in the beach. He knew everyone,” said Ken Hamilton, his oldest son. “He loved his family and he loved Clearwater beach.” Howard was an a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, supporter of Ruth Eckerd Hall, past commodore of the Carlouel Yacht Club and previous chairman of a fundraising campaign that built Clearwater’s original YMCA on South Highland Avenue. He is survived by his wife, four sons, two brothers and six grandchildren.

HONORING MYRA CHANDLER HAAS Myra Chandler Haas passed away in mid January. She was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1919. Before moving to Clearwater in 1969, Myra graduated from business school, started a family and launched a weekly newspaper.

Once in Florida, she owned a retail store and started the Belleair Bee and Largo Leader, local weekly newspapers that are still in business today. Myra served on the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors, Education Committee and was President of the Leading Ladies from 1986 – 88. She was a founder of the Leading Ladies and hosted one of the first “Cocktails for Culture” parties that raised funds for the ground breaking of the Hall. Over the years, Myra became involved with a number of organizations including the Fine Arts Society and the National Society of Arts and Letters. She is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. “She was a petite woman but she had passion and determination the size of a giant,” said Stephanie Smith, Ruth Eckerd Hall Chief Development Officer.

We send our deepest sympathy to her family members.

Source for all obituaries: Tampa Bay Times

727.791.7400

REMEMBERING RICHARD “DICK” MINCK TRUE PATRON OF THE ARTS Richard “Dick” Allen Minck of Clearwater passed away in mid December 2012. He was born on September 14, 1928. He was the son of Harry and Mabel Minck Sr. He grew up in Bluffton, Ohio, where he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany. Richard graduated with an arts degree from Bluffton College and attended Ohio State University. During his early years, he was a professor of art at the college and was host of a local television show. He loved photography, traveling, tending his many flower gardens and was an avid jewelry designer and estate appraiser. During mid-life, he met and married Helen James, his beloved wife, who passed away in 2011. Helen was his constant companion in life. Together, they were philanthropists and active participants socially, particularly interested in music (the Florida Orchestra) and the arts (St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts and the Dali Museum). In 2011, Ruth Eckerd Hall recognized Dick and Helen for their support of the arts in our community at the annual Stradivarius Society Gala. Dick’s love and support of the arts will be greatly missed – particularly the hand-painted shirts he created especially for each event. Our deepest sympathies go to the family.

TRIBUTE TO YVONNE GUBNER Yvonne Gubner passed away in mid January. She was born in Calgary, Canada, studied drama, nursing and neurology. Yvonne was Director of Nursing at Steilacoom Hospital in Tacoma, Washington and Brooklyn State Hospital in New York City. She married, raised three children and traveled. At one point during her life, Yvonne was part owner of the Safety Harbor Spa. She was a long-time member and supporter of Ruth Eckerd Hall. Yvonne served on the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors, was President of the Leading Ladies from 1990 – 92, a member of the Stradivarius Society and donor to the Hall’s numerous fundraising events and activities including Bacchus and Black Tie, Setting the Stage For Future Generations Capital Campaign, Harvesting for Scholarships and Spring Gala. Her support of the performing arts and arts education was generous over the years. Additionally, Yvonne supported Morton Plant Mease Hospital, Dunedin Art Center, the Florida Orchestra and the Clearwater Public Library Foundation. Our sympathy goes to her family.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #746 TAMPA FL

1111 McMullen Booth Rd.,Clearwater, Florida 33759

For membership information, call 727.712.2720 or visit www.RuthEckerdHall.com New shows are being added all the time! For a complete calendar, up-to-date information or to purchase tickets to any of our great shows, please contact the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office at 727.791.7400 or visit our website at www.RuthEckerdHall.com. All dates and times are subject to change.

Circle of Stars members, please contact us on the VIP Line.

February 15 15 16 16 17 17 19 21 21 22

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Shaun Hopper & Adam Rafferty; 7:30pm * Alan Parsons Live Project; 8 pm Women of Ireland; 2 & 8 pm * Jim Brickman; 8 pm Hooray for Hollywood; 2 pm Johnny Winter; 7:30pm * Travis Tritt; 7:30 pm * In The Mood; 1 pm La Traviata; 7:30 pm Joshua Bell; 8 pm (Stradivarius Society Gala; 5:30 pm‡) The Irish Rovers; 5 & 8 pm * Daughtry & 3 Doors Down; 8pm Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show; 2 pm A Chorus Line; 8 ♦, 2 & 8 pm Loudon Wainwright; 7:30 pm *

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Sleeping Beauty; 7:30 pm Bruce Cockburn; 7:30 pm * Keb Mo & Los Lobos; 7:30 pm † Kodo Drummers; 7 pm Matthew with a Z; 7:30 pm * Herb Alpert & Michael Franks; 7:30 pm † Golden Boys; 2 pm

March

6 9 9 10 14 & 16 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 23 24 26 30

Daryl Hall & John Oates; 8pm ††◊ Judy Collins; 7:30pm * Doo Wop XIII; 7:30 pm Celtic Crossroads; 2 pm Helen Reddy; 7:30pm * Andy Cooney’s Forever Irish; 1 pm Jake Shimabukuro; 7:30pm * The Black Watch and the Scots Guards; 8 pm Bruce Hornsby; 7:30pm * Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra; 7:30 pm * Roger Hodgson w/ Symphony; 8 pm Bill Cosby; 5 & 8 pm One Night of Queen; 7:30pm * Chick Corea & Bela Fleck; 8 pm Queen Latifah; 7:30 pm Midtown Men; 2 & 8 pm

* Capitol Theatre, Cleveland Street, Downtown Clearwater † Palladium at St. Petersburg College †† Margarete Heye Great Room at Ruth Eckerd Hall ‡ Call 727.712.2760 for details. ◊ Circle of Stars Reception II; 6:30pm; Call 727.712.2723 for details. ♦ Tues., Feb. 26, 8pm, Broadway Cast Party for Circle of Stars members only; Call 727.712.2723 for details.

Here’s how you can contact us to get involved: To become involved in the Expanding the Experience capital campaign, please contact Stephanie Smith, Chief Development Officer at 727.712.2718 or ssmith@rutheckerdhall.net.

To continue or increase your membership, please contact Melissa Reddington, Director of Membership at 727.712.2723 or mreddington@rutheckerdhall.net or to get more information on Friends of Music, please contact Maggie Ciadella, Social Memberships Manager at 727.712.2712 or mciadella@rutheckerdhall.net.

To support the Hall’s fundraising events or to host a Charity of Choice event to benefit the Hall’s arts education programs, please contact Nancy Dietrich, Director of Special Events at 727.712.2760 or ndietrich@rutheckerdhall.net.

Sleeping Beauty

To support a Leading Ladies event, please contact Heather Wilson, Development Research Analyst at 727.712.2795 or hwilson@rutheckerdhall.net.

To become a corporate partner of the Hall, please contact Katie Abbitt-Hartnett, Corporate Relations Manager at 727.712.2716 or kabbitthartnett@rutheckerdhall.net.

Interested in becoming an usher, please contact Sandy Villasuso, Senior House Manager at 727.712.2707 or svillasuso@rutheckerdhall.net.

Interested in becoming an administrative volunteer, please contact Deb Vermeer, Chief Human Resources Officer at 727.712.2719 or dvermeer@rutheckerdhall.net.

Connect With Us A COPY OF THE REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Registration #CH-1562.

100% of each contribution goes to Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.

Fri, Mar 1 • 7:30pm

Editorial Credits Winter 2012–13

Applause is published three times per year for the members of Ruth Eckerd Hall located at the Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts. Every effort has been made to include all of those that should be included in each article and in each issue. If you have any inquiries, comments or suggestions, please contact Applause, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida 33759, 727.791.7060, www.RuthEckerdHall.com. All rights reserved.

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.

Joshua Magidson, Chairman, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. Zev Buffman, President & CEO, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.

Writer / Editor

Tami Alderman, Development Associate

Staff Contributors

Katie Abbitt-Hartnett, Corporate Relations Manager Eric Blankenship, Chief Marketing Officer Megan Brennan, Director of Marketing Maggie Ciadella, Social Memberships Manager Nancy Dietrich, Director of Special Events Anna Hertrich, Campaign Development Associate

Mission Statement

Jason Mayry, Graphic Designer Melissa Reddington, Director of Membership Sharon Reid-Kane, Assistant Director of Education Suzanne Ruley, Grants Manager Stephanie Smith, Chief Development Officer Heather Wilson, Development Research Analyst

Ruth Eckerd Hall engages the community to master, experience, discover and explore quality performing arts.