Thankful for those behind the scenes

It is difficult to thank everyone who goes into making the Niswonger Performing Arts Center the success it is today. At this Thanksgiving time, I have chosen to share with you those who rarely get to take a bow for what they do.

I will start with the workers we call stage crew. They are the first to show up for a concert and the last to leave. It is easy to take them for granted because they don’t perform, they don’t talk and are rarely seen. When you show up for a concert and the stage is all set and ready for the doors to be open to the public, you see the evidence of their work. Some continue to work throughout the show while others wait for the show to finish. Then, off to work they go again as patrons make their way to the exits.

There are numerous volunteers who help as stage crew; some adults and some students.  Oh, they certainly get to see parts of the show that the public doesn’t. Other than knowing that they are helping others, that is sometimes the only thanks of gratitude they receive.

So today, as we approach Thanksgiving, I say on behalf of the many thousands of patrons who enjoy concerts and shows at the NPAC, thank you crew for all you do. Led very capably by our tech director, Hugh Saunier, we truly have a great group of volunteers who serve our needs and make concert and show experiences enjoyable.

Another group of volunteers who help make the NPAC a success are those who serve on the Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation (VWAPAF) board of directors. Chuck Koch, Chris Roberts, Dewey Fuerst, Bill Clifton, Jerry Hoffman, Ken Mengerink, and Linda Ridenour are our present board members. They rarely make it on the stage either, but are so vital in making decisions that help me direct the operations of the NPAC.  Their wisdom and common sense are most appreciated.

The VWAPAF directors are appointed by The Van Wert County Foundation and Van Wert City Schools. Some have been on the board since its inception while others have joined more recently. They ask for very little and serve for the good of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and the community of Van Wert. Once again, this is a group of mostly behind the scenes volunteers who have served because they were asked.

There are many other behind the scenes people that help with the many aspects of the NPAC.  I guess for now, a huge “thank you” is what we can offer.  I just want to make sure that all the volunteers who are so vital to our life in the performing arts know that their service is never taken for granted.

As we approach Thanksgiving this week, I hope that all of you have a very blessed time. The next time you come to a concert at the NPAC, know that there are volunteers who have helped make your experience a good one. This Sunday night is a great time to say thanks as we welcome David Phelps, a phenomenal vocalist in the Christian music world. It will be the first taste of Christmas for many of us. We follow up with The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 3, with two shows and then Kenny G comes to town on December 6 and 7.  Tickets are still available for his December 7 show, as they are for The Nutcracker.

Thank you for your support and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Christmas, here we come!

FINÉ.