FORT LAUDERDALE – The Broward Center for the Performing Arts recently paid tribute to the nearly 1,000 volunteers who donated 120,000 hours of community service during the past season to the Broward Center and its affiliate venues.
(Back row-all standing): Dale Silverglate of Plantation, Carol Koltnow of Plantation, Diane Slatkin of Pompano Beach, Ben Kupersmith of Boynton Beach and Sue Kupersmith, Linda Duggan of Fort Lauderdale, Ken Shanahan of Fort Lauderdale, Fred Schieferstein of Fort Lauderdale, Jean Dorto of Hollywood, Steve FitzPatrick of Wilton Manors, Charley Kirsch of Weston, Art Murphy of Hallandale, Rita Warren of North Miami Beach, Joyce Murphy of Hallandale, Marcy Rosenzweig of Boynton Beach, Stephanie Steinberg of Pembroke Pines, Sol Rosenzweig of Boynton Beach (Seated in front row): Irwin Cohen of Delray Beach, Gerda Cohen of Delray Beach, Jack Bercovitch of Boynton Beach, Marilyn Bercovitch of Boynton Beach, Joan Berkebile of Boca Raton, Camille Montgomery of Pompano Beach.
More than 600 volunteers attended an appreciation dinner where they were entertained with musical performances by cast members of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Avenue Q as well the Broward Center Spotlights youth vocal ensemble singing a medley from the upcoming production of Matilda.
Plantation resident Judi Holland was recognized as the 2016-17 “Volunteer of the Year” for donating 1,385 hours during the season, which was the most by any volunteer. The prize package included a gourmet chocolate gift basket from Hoffman’s Chocolates, performance tickets including Intermezzo Lounge passes, and a certificate for dinner for two at Marti’s New Riverfront Bistro.
The two volunteers who earned the most hours behind Holland this season were Fort Lauderdale resident Maria Orsini with 980 hours and Pompano Beach resident Alex Newton with 971 hours.
The Broward Center also recognized 33 volunteers who were applauded for service of 10 years or more, and received their gold bow tie signifying this level of service.
Volunteers usher and serve as community ambassadors for the Broward Center and its affiliate venues: the Parker Playhouse, the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Volunteers commit to a regular weekly shift (choosing a regular evening or matinee) for the full season. The Broward Center volunteer ushers are a dynamic mix of theater-lovers, from retired seniors and baby boomers to high school students, many of whom earn community service hours and volunteer alongside a parent or grandparent.
Volunteers are eligible to begin ushering performances upon completion of a three-hour orientation session that includes a tour of the Broward Center and an introduction to ushering. For more information, contact the volunteer office at 954.468.2684 or e-mail volunteer@browardcenter.org.
