The Broward Center for the Performing Arts recently held its annual volunteer recognition event which paid tribute to the nearly 1,000 volunteers who donated 118,000 hours of community service during the past season to the Broward Center and its affiliate venues.
More than 550 volunteers attended an appreciation dinner and were entertained with musical performances by Broward Center staff members and cast members of Tarzan and the Broward Center Spotlights youth vocal ensemble singing a medley from the Broadway season. Guests also enjoyed hearing actress and television host Iris Acker discuss her career.
Fort Lauderdale resident Maria Orsini was recognized as the 2017-18 “Volunteer of the Year” for donating 970 hours during the season, which was the most by any volunteer. The prize package included tickets to Jersey Boys, a dinner gift certificate to Marti’s New River Bistro and gift basket filled with wine, snacks and Broadway show souvenirs.
Also recognized were Hollywood resident Arlene Golden who contributed 920 hours and Fort Lauderdale resident Kathy Butler who donated 885 hours of volunteer time.
The Broward Center also recognized 36 volunteers who were applauded for service of 10 years or more, and received their gold bow tie signifying this level of service. Seven volunteers were honored for their 20-year milestone of volunteering.
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.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.
The Broward Center 2017-2018 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Bank of America, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, LATAM AIRLINES, MasterCard, Paramount Refreshment Solutions and Sun Sentinel are proud sponsors of the Broward Center.
The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera, Fort Lauderdale History Center and the Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
All photos courtesy: Downtown Photo
