The Asolo Theatre Company NEWS
February 7, 2005
ASOLO FORMS AMBASSADORS SOCIETY TO HONOR SUPPORTERS
First Annual Inductees List Includes Celebrities, Scholars, and Government Officials
Sarasota, FL (February 7, 2005) - The Asolo Theatre Company today announced the formation of the Asolo Ambassadors Society and is inviting into membership individuals who have made significant financial, service and other contributions to the Asolo Theatre Company since its creation in 1960.
Persons listed below will be recognized and inducted into the Society at the Asolo's annual gala on Friday, March 4, 2005, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Tickets to the Masked Ball Gala, A Midwinter Night's Dream, can be purchased by calling 941-351-9010 Ext. 4704.
Michael Hartenstine, president of the Asolo board of directors, stated, "The Asolo is one of the top regional professional theatre companies in the country. Many people have contributed to this success over the years. The Asolo Ambassadors Society will recognize some of these individuals each year at the Asolo's Gala. In addition to community supporters and prior leaders of the Asolo, the Society will recognize graduates of the Florida State University (FSU)/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training and prior members of the professional acting company, as well as staff members."
Individuals to be inducted this year include: Dean Emeritus of the FSU School of Theatre Richard Fallon, anesteemed founder of the Asolo; Eberle Thomas, also one of the Asolo's founders and first artistic directors; Elizabeth Lindsay, who served as the Asolo board president from 1991-93 and chair of the Capital Campaign Committee and the Executive Construction Committee, which helped raise the funds to build the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts; Polly Holliday, Broadway and film actress, and star of the award winning TV show Alice, will be recognized as a former company member; and Michael Piontek, a 1985 Conservatory graduate, currently performing in Mama Mia in Las Vegas, will be the first graduate to be inducted.
Congresswoman Katherine Harris is being recognized for her past support of the Asolo as Florida's Secretary of State as well as her support of the arts in the U.S. Congress. Florida State Senator Lisa Carlton is being inducted for her work over the past several years as a dedicated advocate of the Asolo and the arts in Florida.
Esther Mertz, a major financial supporter of the Asolo and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory scholarship program, leads a list of community supporters. Elberta Littrell Truog, one of the Asolo Theatre Festival's first presidents in the 1960's, along with 10 other former presidents, will also be inducted.
For information about the Asolo Ambassadors Society or A Midwinter Night's Dream (The Asolo 2005 Gala) please contact the Asolo at 941-351-9010 Ext. 4704.
The Asolo Theatre Company, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, and Sarasota Ballet of Florida operate, train and perform within the FloridaStateUniversityCenter for the Performing Arts at 5555 N Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida.
2005 Inductees into The Asolo Ambassadors Society
Dean Emeritus of the FSU School of Theatre Richard Fallon, an esteemed Asolo founder
Eberle Thomas, Asolo founder and one of its first artistic directors
Polly Holliday, Actress and former member of the acting company
Michael Piontek, Actor and 1985 graduate of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory
Honorable Representative Katherine Harris, Florida District 13
Honorable Lisa Carlton, State Senator, District 23
Former Presidents of The Asolo Theatre Festival Association*
and of The Asolo Theatre Company Board of Directors
Elberta Littrell Truog – 1967-68*; 1969-70*
Joseph Penner – 1974-76
R. K. Robinson – 1976-79; 1984-86*
William Strode – 1984-90
Richard Angelotti – 1986-88*
Hon. Robert Johnson – 1990-91
Elizabeth Lindsay – 1991-93
Stuart Barger – 1994-95
Rev. Donald L. Roberts – 1995-96
Roy Palmer – 1999-2000
Lee Peterson – 2000-01
Community Supporters
Esther Mertz
David and Myrna Band - Gershom and Sylvia Cohn - Beatrice Friedman
Bob Greenfield - Foster Harmon - Winnie Hodgson - Janet Kane
Ed and Elaine Keating - Ira Mendell - Bob and Diane Roskamp
Betty Schoenbaum - Virginia Toulmin - Mac and Charlotte Vick
Jean Weidner
(Current members of the Asolo board of directors, the acting company, Conservatory and staff are excluded from membership in the Society.)
The Asolo is funded in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State, The Florida Arts Council, the City and County of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Sarasota Arts Council. The Asolo Theatre Company’s Shakespeare productions are sponsored in part by Shakespeare in American Communities, a national theater initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Sallie Mae Fund in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Additional funding is also received through the efforts of support groups including the Asolo Angel Association, the Asolo Theatre Guild, The Directors Emeritus and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.