The BSO has decided to charge their volunteers $75 to volunteer at Tanglewood (the summer home of the BSO). Yes, they did say that they lose about 2 million a year at Tanglewood, but isn't this just putting a band aid on a geyser. Has anyone else ever heard of asking people to pay to volunteer? I think that this will come back to haunt them in ill will from the public. I wonder who thought up this bright idea? Volunteers are the lifeblood of any organization. In the arts, we couldn't exist without them. Look at any arts organization and you will see the amount of jobs that are done by people who don't get a dime for the hard work that they do. Why do they do it, because they believe in the arts organization and are treated with respect. Your stongest believers are your volunteers and they like to donate money but don't like to be told that they have to pay. Treat your volunteers well and they will get out their checkbooks without being told to do it.
In Pittsfield MA, we have a center called "Lichtenstein Center for the Arts" If you are ever up this way, check out their workshops. This Sunday, they will have a workshop called,"Acting Essentials: An On-Camera Workshop". It is designed for theatre actors or beginners who want to learn who to audition and act for the camera. It is for teens and adults and will be taught by Jenny O'Haver. You can call them at 413-528-6728.
I've been watching "Dancing With The Stars" and it is such a joy to see the arts being celebrated on TV. My favorites are Joey Fatone and Apolo Ono. To learn those dances in one week is no small feat, as we all know in the arts field. Check out the show and enjoy!
List+Donate=Creativity
Joanne
