Congratulations!!!!

Enormous thanks to everyone who volunteered, loaned space, attended, and put up with the William Inge Theatre Festival last week.  The Festival went remarkably well, many said it was the “best ever,”  Our special guests and out-of-town visitors were charmed by the campus and the town.  So many people helped to make this possible that I can’t possibly mention them in this e-mails, but extra special thanks go to the following Staff, Faculty, Students and Board members who went above and beyond the call of duty, and were truly super-volunteers, in no discernable order:

Staff and Faculty

Mark Spitzer, who didn’t sleep for a week, preparing for and cleaning up after and running and designing lights for every show in the Inge Theatre.  Then somehow, he managed to get the huge Tribute “H” into Hannah’s office, the huge Tribute Croquet Spike into Bruce’s office, and the huge tribute Wedding Cake into my office, as a little Monday morning surprise!

Jon Sidoli, who organized the “Fringe-at-the-Inge”’s, a wonderful new addition to the Festival, he also helped us stay sane and trouble-shot a million and one items throughout the week.

Christopher Langsford, who conducted the vocal music that appeared throughout the Festival

Richard Tirk, who gave great concerts during the moveable feast and the “Fringe.”

Janelle Null, who designed the lobby display.

Ken Brown, for use of his wonderful home, both for housing and eating and historical tour guide abilities, and of course all his work on the house throughout the year.

Mario Lopez, and all his staff, whose tireless work organizing the maintenance crew, ICC cars and vans and videotaping so many workshops was fantastic.

Kay Ackerson, who organized all the rooms and the taping in her extraordinarily amiable way.

Susan Thomas, who took the volunteer billboard picture and acted as archival photo-journalist throughout the week.

Richard Bashem, who was always there when we needed him to help transport guests, or anyone else.

Teresa Vestal  Who handled all the books and drove for us and was a wonderful presence at all the catering

Paula Davis Who also shuttled to the airport

Mona Saleh Who made sure we had coffee each morning (and boy did we need it).

Joy Pierson, who manned the computers and registration desk freeing Hannah for long periods of time

Norm Chambers for Driving, and Housing, Pinch-Hitting on the historical Tour

Jana Shaver Who helped put the registration and merchandise in shape

Matt Hoven, who helped with Moveable Feast and a million other things and dealt with his crazy wife.

Jody Coy, who helped us sort out all the ticket and merchandise sales

Lois Lessman who did PR all year long

Pearlene Barker who organized the Moveable Feast

Karen Roush who also helped with Moveable Feast

Carlene Smith who Helped us Feast in a moveable manner as well.

Joe Steffen  who trouble shot our computers several times as quick as lightning.

Jim Fischer, who offered up his classroom and his talents as a participant in the “Magician’s Choice” reading.

Tony Morales and the great western dining staff, for all of their help in feeding all of our guests so well.

Judith Hansen who played host to so many events and showed her strong support throughout.

Students

Who all did so many things we can’t name them

Maddie Keys

Jessica Francoeur

Meagan Becker

Ricky Denning

TJ Henderson

James Akeman

Jordan Shapely

Jinger Ferguson

Brent Harmon

Michelle Wooten

Lucy Phelps

Jordan Radcliffe

I apologize to anyone I’ve forgotten, I’m still a bit bleary-eyed.

Finally a huge thank you to Bruce Peterson and Hannah Joyce-Hoven, who have to put up with me all year long and do so with cheery enthusiasm.  I couldn’t ask for a better staff.

Thanks so much to all of you for making this wonderful event come to glorious life.

Yours,

Peter Ellenstein,
William Inge Center for the Arts

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