1. Winter 2016
1
Read FriendScript online at kennedy-center.org/support/volunteers/fscript.pdf
Starting with the elegant invitation, Friends
knew this volunteer gala would be special. Oh
sure, some things were the same: the plain empty
ordinariness of the Atrium was transformed into
a lovely space that somehow fits hundreds of us
yet seemed intimate, the food was delicious, the
service superb, the band had Friends dancing where
they stood!, and the program honoring all of the
pin honorees—but especially the longest serving
ones—fitting.
But, a golden anniversary only happens once in
a lifetime and so special touches dotted the evening
like the glittering sparkles that appeared on each of
the tables: Friends and the pin honoree guests filed
into the Atrium past a giant cake in honor of the
achievement, and the special recognition for our lone
35-year pin recipient, Bill Wortley, was done via the
magic of video, since he and his wife Marilyn Schoon
were off on a once-in-a-lifetime European vacation.
Marilyn was keeping an eye on the proceedings from
her cabin a continent away ‘liking’ various photos
posted to the Friends’ Facebook page throughout
the evening!
We also paid special tribute to the 30 years of
service given by Frank Beachem (who dared not
climb the stairs onto the stage, lest he dwarf tiny
Marie Mattson!), 25 years of service by Loretta
Berg, Jo Ann Hearld, and Peggy Pieron, and for
20 years given by Mary Burns, Mary Cacciatore,
Flavia Delfavero-Norman, Linda DeRamus, Mary
Fran Gildea, Ernie Hiltz, Christa Opp, Emanual
Payton, Nancy Schrider, Santosh Sharma, and Bert
Simson.
If there is another volunteer organization in the
country—or the world—that engenders the sort of
loyalty people regularly give to the Friends program,
I would be very surprised!
A special thank you to Brooks and Jessica was
given by Tina Tate, 2015 VAC Chair. It is one of
the many fun responsibilities of the VAC Chair to
help Brooks come up with the theme for each year’s
Volunteer Gala, and Tina’s influence brought a
southern elegance to the evening!
Lest we forget our past, an additional insert to
the yearly program highlighted milestones about
our history, which began before the building was
complete. Let’s raise our glasses with Kennedy
Center President Deborah Rutter in one more toast
to the awesomeness of the Friends: hurrah for us!
Here’s to the next 50 years!
The Friends Golden AnniversaryBy Tricia Callahan, FriendScript Editor
If there is another volunteer organization in the country—or the world—that engenders
the sort of loyalty people regularly give to the Friends program, I would be very surprised!
Friends Celebrate 51!
by Marilyn J. Schoon, Friends Archivist
Travel down Memory Lane with the Friends!
Look for the RED BOXES throughout this issue!
Part 4 of the 50th Anniversary Series
As we begin our 51st year at the Kennedy Center, I plan to
continue to take readers of FriendScript on a trip down
memory lane by sharing excerpts from various publications. In
this issue, I’ll focus on the years 1990 through 1999.
The official newsletter of the Friends of the Kennedy Center

2. Editor-In-Chief
Tricia Callahan
Editorial Board
Sami Atalla
Dennis Butler
Tricia Callahan
Ada Ejiogu
Grace Krumwiede
Marilyn Schoon
Lynn Trundle
Content Consultant
Jeremy Birch
Layout/Graphics
Scott Buga
Scott Bushnell
Brooks Boeke
Jessica Zaluzec
Staff Liaisons
Brooks Boeke
Myles King
Jessica Zaluzec
View from the VAC: Highlights 2015.................3
Tricia Callahan: Editor Extraordinaire...............3
Meet Marilyn Schoon and Bill Wortley..............4
Frank Beachem celebrates 30 years.....................5
In Memory 2015.................................................5
Staff Spotlight: Niiyo Madison...........................6
Why I Volunteer for the Arts Wael Sherman.......6
Preparing the Next Generation...........................7
Au revoir et à bientôt: Intern Farewell.................7
2015 Lounge Volunteer Scrapbook.....................8
Goodbye to the VAC ..........................................8
Winding Down with WNO & Friends ..............9
Thank YOU from Membership...........................9
New Friends at the Tour Desk in 2015.............10
Tour Kudos.......................................................11
Friends Outreach: Looking to 2016..................12
Facebook and Friends.......................................12
Education Friends Welcome Mario Rossero......13
Admin Support: It’s Not Magic........................14
Friends in 50 years............................................15
In the News......................................................16
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF
THE FRIENDS OF THE KENNEDY CENTER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
FEATURES
Friends Staff Phone Numbers
Brooks Boeke, Manager
(202) 416-8303
mbboeke@kennedy-center.org
Jessica Zaluzec,
Assistant Manager
(202) 416-8304
jazaluzec@kennedy-center.org
2700 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20566
INTHISISSUE
Lets look back at the events and accomplishments of
2015!
Last summer, Brooks Boeke presented the Friends
programs to the Kennedy Center Community Advisory
Board for the first time. She was particularly pleased to
announce our 50th anniversary! The Board learned about
the upcoming season of events and performances, including
the Irish Festival in May and June which begins the year-
long celebration of John F. Kennedy’s centennial birthday.
The official training for Tours for Young People took place
with Deirdre Lavrakas, Senior Manager of Production, and
Liz Rossetti, Education Manager, giving us guidance and
suggestions to excite and engage students of all ages. Tour
Guide Ryan Gallagher provided a simple guide explaining
social media terms. They received rave reviews for their
special insights into how best to communicate the KC story
to our youngest visitors. We met our goal of training at
least one guide per shift.
Another significant goal was met as all Friends now
log in online to record volunteer hours. This is such a
critical record of our contribution to the Kennedy Center
that having the information correct and up-to-date is
truly an important component of representing the Friends
dedication.
We have also begun the first steps in online tour
scheduling so that the Friends Office, Tour Desk, and
Visitors Center will have the same access to tour data.
The current system has VIC volunteers writing out the
necessary information in large cumbersome binders. An
automated system accessible from home by a shift leader
will enable better preparation for each shift to provide the
best tour experience for our guests. We hope to launch the
new program this year!
We want to thank all of our outgoing members who have
served the last two years on the VAC. Peggy Siegel served
us well promoting the work of the Education Department
and all its many initiatives. She constantly sought ways to
make the Education Department’s wide-ranging programs
available for other volunteer initiatives. Andrew Jones
handled all the challenges of retail sales and the continuing
need for up-to-date training. Charles Rademaker not only
represented the Lounge volunteers but also contributed
suggestions and ideas for the tour program since he is
also a tour guide. David Mead enthusiastically promoted
areas where volunteers serve the Opera, providing new
and interesting opportunities for us. David was so excited
by the costume sale that he had us all rushing out to buy
a costume just for fun. These four dedicated individuals
served us well and will continue to make important
contributions. Thank you to all!
Looking ahead to this year, we will be watching the
ongoing construction and the start of the Terrace Theater
renovation. We will enjoy Second City Comedy in the
Theater Lab. We are energized and excited by the many
innovations coming our way and will continue to look
for ways to serve the ever changing world of the Kennedy
Center as we enter our second half-century.
View From the VAC Highlights 2015!
by Tina Tate, Chair Volunteer Advisory Committee
Tours for Young People Trainees with
Deirdre Lavrakas (left)
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Not Goodbye…Let’s Say Au Revoir
By Tricia Callahan, FriendScript Editor
This is my last article as editor of FriendScript,
a position it has been my honor to hold for
the last seven years, and my last official action
as a Friend of the Kennedy Center. It has been a
decade of wonderful, memorable experiences full
of people I am so very proud to call my friends.
The writing of this article is bittersweet.
Those of you who know me know that I
moved to Charlottesville about 8 years ago.
For a few years I continued to travel to DC a
few times a month to fulfill my Tour Guide
commitment (I still miss my diverse, energetic
Saturday morning tour shift colleagues…). As my
life moved a few hours southwest of the District,
I transferred into the Web Research program,
which I enjoyed tremendously as well. As time
went on, I found myself increasingly disconnected
from the Center—and the articles I was writing
and editing. My work started to demand a lot
more time and travel. Time to do the right thing
and step down.
When I became the editor of FriendScript—the
‘mouthpiece’ of the best volunteer program of
any kind in the country, bar none, in my humble
opinion—I frankly did not think the quality of the
newsletter matched the quality of our program as
a whole. I fervently wanted it to. I believed our
program deserved nothing less. I hope, all these
years later, that you will agree that it now does.
The writing is first rate (thanks to our current crop
of superb writers), the layout flawless (thanks to
the endless efforts of Brooks and others in the
Friends office), and the subject matter more
diverse and interesting (again, thanks to Brooks
continually brainstorming new ways to tell the
remarkable stories of the Friends collectively and
individually). I leave a FriendScript product of
which I am immensely proud.
And, I leave the editorship in the extremely
capable hands of my good friend (and birthday
sister!) Nancy Reid. I have no doubt that
FriendScript will thrive for many years to come
under her sure hand, and I look forward to
checking the Friends page on the web from
time to time to see what you are all doing. Who
knows, I may even contribute once in a while….
So, it’s not goodbye, dear Friends program. It’s
au revoir. I will be around—and cheering your
accomplishments every step of the way!
HIGHLIGHTSFROM2015
2 3
New Friends at
the Tour Desk
Page 10
Friends
Outreach 2016
Page 12
Meet Marilyn
Schoon and
Bill Wortley
Page 4
Special Tribute to Tricia Callahan, Friendscript Editor Extraordinaire
This is the last issue of FriendScript featuring Tricia Callahan
as editor. Since 2008, Tricia has not only edited hundreds of
articles, but has also written dozens as well. During the early years
of her tenure, this was an even more daunting undertaking, since
at that time 10 to 12 issues were published annually. In fact, that
was the case until 2014, when FriendScript became a quarterly
publication. How times have changed!
Not only is Tricia an excellent editor and writer, but she also has
a keen understanding of the Friends program overall, thanks to her
years as a tour guide, area leader, trainer, and VAC chair. One of
our favorite FriendScript columns ever, “Generation2Generation,”
an article highlighting Friends from different generations, was one
of Tricia’s many ideas. Her magic touch is largely why FriendScript
is one of the most professional volunteer newsletters around.
The good news is that we will still see Tricia here at the Kennedy
Center as a Festival/Event volunteer, and she will continue to write
occasional FriendScript articles. She will always be remembered
as one of the outstanding leaders of the Friends program.
Brooks

3. 4 5
Meet Marilyn Schoon and Bill Wortley
A Powerhouse Couple
By Grace I. Krumwiede
Marilyn Schoon and Bill Wortley have a combined 79 years
of volunteering at the Kennedy Center. Marilyn started
in 1972 on Thursday evenings at the gift shops and shortly
thereafter moved to the Visitors Center. Bill officially started in
1980.
Bill received his 35- year pin on December 15, the only pin
honoree reaching this lofty status. Sadly (for us, but not for
them!), he could not be there as he and Marilyn were on a
Christmas markets cruise along the Rhine River celebrating their
39th anniversary.
Marilyn will receive her 45 year pin in 2017.
Their accomplishments as Friends are overwhelming:
together—in addition to their regular shifts at the VIC (Marilyn)
and Lounges (Bill)—they have participated in many Honors,
festivals, and Open Houses (Marilyn serving as co-chair of
the Honors for two years, and Bill being an Open House Area
Leader for crowd management, and the one we all depended
on to get there extra early to start the coffee!). They both have
served on the VAC.
They enjoy volunteering in the Lounges, especially when they
can work together. Bill often serves alone on Thursdays when
Marilyn is at the VIC. In the early years, they served champagne
to guests (Lounge volunteers know that lemonade, iced tea, and
water are the current offerings!).
Marilyn is also a ‘stalwart’ Friend—at the Honors where she
supervised the “will call” table for 20 years. This year they were
stand-ins for two days.
Marilyn says about volunteering, “We have made such good
friends. Our dinner group of Friends volunteers and spouses/
partners has met every other month for more than 25 years, and
we have taken trips with my Thursday shift to local museums
and even spent weekends at Williamsburg and National Harbor.
I can’t imagine my life without the Kennedy Center and the
Friends.”
To make their service even more remarkable, they have
commuted from West Virginia., a 90-mile drive, since 2003.
Friends introduced them to the area and they liked it so much
they decided to move there.
In West Virginia they are on the Board of Directors of Court
Appointed Special Advocates of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-
EP). Their mission is to protect abused and neglected children
and to advocate for them in the community and court system.
The Board spends considerable time on fundraising.
Volunteering is clearly a love of their lives next to their love
for each other. They married in 1976, about a year after meeting
at an Alexandria Roller Rink. Bill, who had left his home state of
California to take a position at the Pentagon, was a competitive
skater and wanted to continue. Marilyn was taking organ lessons
from the man who owned and played the Wurlitzer organ at the
rink (sister organ to Radio City’s organ) and picked just the right
day to visit. A friend told her earlier, “There’s been the nicest
young man coming to the rink….” Well, we know the rest of
the story.
Bill served in the Army National Guard for more than 40
years, about 10 years of which was on active duty. As a civilian,
he worked for the Department of the Army for 29 years in the
safety field, retiring in 2003 as Director of Safety of the Pentagon
and field agencies’ assets.
Marilyn, born in Gary, Indiana, moved to Bethesda at age 15
when her father was elected national Secretary-Treasurer of the
now American Postal Workers Union. She taught for 30 years in
the Fairfax County Public Schools, joining the staff of Thomas
Jefferson High School for Science and Technology a year after it
opened. She taught many classes in the Humanities Division and
also served on its executive board for 6 years.
Bill says of his service, “Nothing gives me greater pleasure
than to serve the members of the Kennedy Center—unless it’s
doing so with the love of my life.”
Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for your
many years of extraordinary service to the Center!
Bill and Marilyn on a Rhine River Cruise visiting Christmas
markets including in Belgium.
Frank Beachem Celebrates 30 Years as a Friend in 2015
By Lynn Trundle
As you can imagine, Washington, DC
native Frank Beacham has seen quite
a few changes not only to his native city,
but to the Kennedy Center during the 30
years he’s been a volunteer. He’s worked
primarily in the Gift Shops during that
time and has served on the VAC as
a Gift Shops representative from 1995
to 1997 He’s also is a member of the
Outreach Committee. Every year since
1984, he’s volunteered for the Kennedy
Center Honors and participated in every
Open House until the last one in 2010.
That’s 27 Open Houses. What a record!
Frank notes that the Gift Shops have
grown “from a small tourist souvenir
stands to a massive, multimillion dollar
retail operation with . . . a sophisticated
point of sale and inventory control
system.” Despite the many changes in
the Shops and in the Kennedy Center
itself, Frank says it’s been comforting
that “the Friends Volunteer program
has remained essentially intact and is
a model for other such organizations
in the country to look to for how
volunteering is supposed to be done.”
After being born in the now-demolished
Doctor’s Hospital, formerly located at
18th and I streets NW, Frank grew up in
Forest Heights, MD. He graduated from
Oxon Hill Senior High School and the
University of Maryland, College Park
with a BS in Industrial Technology. He
now lives in Manassas, VA with his wife
and is a Senior Buyer for DC’s Louis
Berger Group, a global defense contracting
firm that works on infrastructure and
development challenges. He also finds
time to volunteer occasionally with the
National Park Service. Busy much, Frank?
Frank says the most interesting aspect
of his volunteer job at the Shops is
“meeting people from all over the world
who have many and varied [backgrounds
and] interests in the arts.” Frank’s own
connection to the arts is deeply felt. He
says they are “[a] great relief and release
from the day-to-day workplace life. They
offer an expressive outlet for creative
thought and performances.”
The Friends are lucky to have
such a long-time devoted volunteer.
Frank was one of the videographers for the Friends 50th Anniversary project.
Excerpts will be on the Friends website early in 2016. Stay tuned!
One of the most rewarding assignments open to Friends volunteers is the Garden Club. You can select
your own hours and work at your own pace. Most gardeners arrange to work in the gardens for an
hour or two just before or after their regular tour of duty. Some people like to work alone and others
with a friend. Extra perks include a stylishly visored National Park Service cap, a pair of clippers,
gloves, and lots of plastic bags. To make room for planting tulip bulbs for next spring’s beautiful
display, the marigolds and begonias will soon be pulled up. From Friendscript September 1992
From “Roger Stevens, the Friends Mourn the Loss of the Greatest of Friends.”
With the death of Roger Stevens on February 9, not only did the
Center lose its founding chairman, but the volunteers also lost one of their biggest supporters.
Roger and his wife Christine often gave parties for the Friends at their home in Georgetown.
The last time we were graced with the Stevens’ presence was at our party in December, and
there could not have been a more fitting way for all of us to say good-bye. The volunteers
who spoke with him that evening all agreed that you could tell he was enjoying the evening
because of the light that shone in his eyes.
It seem appropriate that Roger’s last experience with the Friends was a standing ovation
in his honor. From Friendscript March 1998
ROGER STEVENS LOVED THE FRIENDS!
FRIENDS PLANT BULBS ON KC GROUNDS IN EARLY 1990s
Lorraine Berlin, Visitors Center; June Berti, Tours; Rodney Haugh, Education;
Sorab Modi, Administration; Carla Meisenger, Tours
IN MEMORY 2015

4. The vastness of the Kennedy Center, with
its many theaters and performances, is
always alive—it makes it amazing to work
here,” says Niiyo Madison, Catering Manager
at the Kennedy Center. Niiyo came to the
Kennedy Center a year ago with over 14 years
of experience in this field. As Catering Manager
she works on the catering operations and food
selection for special events happening anywhere
in the building.
Niiyo has worked with several cultural centers.
Prior to the Kennedy Center, Niiyo worked at Strathmore for a
couple of years. She was also an events planner with the National
Restaurant Association, and worked catering operations with the
National Geographic.
“I love working with people and enjoy the excitement,” Niiyo
says as she described her love for her work. “This field allows
for being very creative.”
A Catering Manager is an events planner on the operations side,
such as selecting menus, ensuring food arrives on time, cutlery
and crockery are in place, and everything runs well on the day.
While Niiyo describes herself as a picky eater, she takes time
to know her audience at each event and selects menus that will
work best for them.
In her role, Niiyo collaborates with event planners from other
departments at the Kennedy Center. She also works closely with
other operations staff that handle the cooking, bars, flowers, etc.
Niiyo works with Friends who assist with daily operations, such
as helping with answering questions at the Visitors Center. “The
Friends are very friendly and great partners in all that we do!”
says Niiyo.
Growing up the oldest of seven children, Niiyo said her siblings
fondly call her the “supervisor,” as she has a knack for coming
up with what they would do for vacations and birthdays. She
was the planner; a trait that has served her well in her career.
Niiyo sang in school and enjoys the performing arts. Her favorite
performance at the Kennedy Center was the musical Hair Spray.
She also enjoys the fact that the Millennium Stage runs 365 great
shows throughout the year.
When Niiyo is away from work, she enjoys shopping and
traveling. Some of her favorite destinations include Egypt, the
Caribbean, and Disney World. Niiyo also enjoys spending time
with her large family, made up partly of seventh generation
Washingtonians and partly Ghanaians.
6 7
Why I Volunteer for the Arts
By Wael Sherman, Global Friends Steering Committee
To give, to love, to help others is to be human—volunteering connects us. We don’t need
to speak a particular language, understand an instrument, analyze a painting, or touch an
object. All we need is to feel and appreciate art in all of its forms, and we will speak a universal
language, encompassing our differences and our similarities.
Volunteering at the Kennedy Center allows me to connect. I meet wonderful people from
all over the world, and I get the chance to enjoy and experience different cultures. Here I can
enjoy a fantastic play, listen to beautiful music, walk through a fascinating art exhibit, and
experience global creativity–I give as a volunteer but there is so much more that I get back.
Wael was one of the first Festival/Event volunteers having volunteered for several Open
Houses’ and many international festivals As a native of Jordan, he is the perfect fit for the
Global Friends Steering Committee.
The committee is chaired by Sirin Koprucu (Turkey).
Other members include Michele Bell (United States),
Yasmin Bhalloo (India), Noura Estatie (Lebanon),
Mahsa Javid (Iran), Flavius Mihaies (France)
and Cesar Santos (Philippines)
Preparing the Next Generation
By Dennis Butler
Staff Spotlight on Sydney Krieck, Intern Coordinator
The phrase that most often comes up when talking to Sydney
Krieck about the Kennedy Center internship program is
professional development. Sydney explained that the interns are
not just observing, but are handling important duties that are
critical to the everyday operations of the Kennedy Center.
Sydney, who joined the Kennedy Center as internship
coordinator in December of 2014, graduated from American
University, where she majored in Music and Anthropology,
and then spent a few months teaching pre-school in St. Croix,
where she discovered her love for building sustainable education
programs that address each student uniquely.
As coordinator, Sydney is responsible for the everyday
operations of the program. She plans the term, posts the
application, and markets the program through contacts with
organizations, career fairs, and site visits. When applications are
received Sydney reviews the applications, and then distributes
them to various intern supervisors throughout the building
who interview and select intern candidates for their specific
department. Sydney estimated that for the summer term,
the Kennedy Center receives anywhere from 200 to 300
applications, while the fall and spring application numbers
are slightly lower. Interns work every day in their placement
office, Sydney explained, and are invited to participate in a
number of weekly professional development activities designed
to encourage a better understanding of the field and help interns
explore their career possibilities. These professional development
activities include weekly informational seminars with Kennedy
Center staff members, intern and staff “speed-networking”, a
resume and personal branding seminar, a White House trip,
and several networking opportunities with other non-profits in
DC, including Americans for the Arts, National Geographic,
and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Sydney noted that
interns are encouraged to seek informational interviews with
Kennedy Center staff members that will help them understand
the different professional roles at the Kennedy Center.
Sydney also explained that there are many discussions and
ideas going forward, including the possibility of a high school
internship program, in partnership with the DC School and
Community Initiatives department, as well as a fellowship
program. “This is an exciting time at the Kennedy Center,”
Sydney said. “We are looking at our work in creative and
strategic ways. We are discussing how we can encourage the next
generation to become involved in continuing what an incredibly
valuable and dynamic component of our humanity- the arts. I’m
honored to be a small part of this process and am excited to see
the internship program grow.”
Sydney, (front center) with the
fall 2015 class of interns and their supervisors!
Staff Spotlight: Niiyo Madison, Catering Manager
By Ada Ejiou
Au revoir et à bientôt
Hi Friends! By the time you read this, I will be back in
Belgium finishing my master’s degree. After my graduation
in July 2016, I’ll look back on four years of studying as a
sometimes stressful, but overall nice, experience. Since I am a
very nostalgic person, I will always remember a unique part of
my years as a student in a special way... Of course, I am talking
about the fall of 2015 in Washington D.C. When I think about
these months, a warm feeling overwhelms me.
From the very first day until the last interning in the Friends
office, volunteers were so nice to me. You gave me a sweater
when I was cold, offered me European cookies when I was
homesick, shared personal stories with me, were worried about
my family after the attacks in Paris, advised me where to go to
on the weekends, and someone even found out that I share my
name with a mountain (the ‘K-two’).
The Friends are an amazingly
varied group, who are giving the best
of themselves, together.
Of course, I’m also thankful to
Brooks and Jessica for sharing their
experience and knowledge with me,
and for their kindness. I didn’t know
anything before I came here about
arts or volunteer management. Brooks
showed me very passionately how she
manages the Friends program. Jessica
guided me through this internship being
there every minute of the day to answer
all my questions. I’m sure I will see them
again, either in Belgium or in D.C.!
Fall Intern Travels Back to Belgium to begin her Career in the Arts
By Katoo Diegenant
Niiyo was the Friends point of contact
for the Volunteer Appreciation Gala on
December 15. She guided us to the right
tablecloths, chairs, and menu—helping to
create just the right ambiance in the Atrium.
She is absolutely terrific to work with!

5. 8 9
A 2015 Lounge Volunteer Scrapbook
By Charles Rademaker, VAC Lounge Representative
As 2016 begins and my days as the Lounge Representative
to the Volunteer Advisory Committee draw to a close,
it is important to congratulate and thank the wonderful
Lounge volunteers for their professionalism, dedication,
and very generous contributions. During 2015, Lounge
Volunteers welcomed thousands of Kennedy Center
Members and prepared an endless number of cookie
platters, bowls of M&Ms, Goldfish, and pretzels, and
served a staggering number of cups of beverages. All of this
was accomplished with gracious style!
Ourprimarycontribution,however,hasbeencontributions
to customer service. Our friendly welcomes are always
geared to enhance the Kennedy Center performances of KC
members and guests.
Here are few images that show what Lounge Volunteers
have been up to during 2015:
Volunteers like Bill Wortley and Marilyn Schoon travel
more than a few extra miles to serve in the Lounges. 2015
marks Bill’s 35th year of volunteering at the Kennedy
Center! New volunteers such as Margie Linn and Barbara
Pelletier contribute their infectious enthusiasm and help
keep the Member Lounges a ‘happy place.’
As always, Jovita Gross and Myles King provide the
helpful assistance that makes the Member Lounges possible.
The new serving platters,
bowls, pitchers, and other pieces
recently arrived and were made
available through the efforts of
Myles King and his staff. These
pieces will give our beverage and
food presentations a boost and
improve the appearance of our
serving tables. Take a look at the
‘old’ and the ‘new’ looks!
As always, every Lounge
volunteer is grateful for the
dedication of the Lounge
Scheduling Team: Judy Begal,
Diane Lipsey, and Ralph
Johnson. Without their dependable and consistent work, LVs
would not be so well-informed about what performances
are available as well as the friendly reminders that arrive
about one week prior to the date and time of scheduled
Lounge Duty.
And, of course the Friends staff and KC staff appreciates
the dedication of the Lounge Trainers who make certain
new Lounge Volunteers understand KC policies and are
poised to maintain our high community service standards.
Looking ahead to 2016, Lounge volunteers are asked to
continue to help the Housekeeping staff keep the lounges
and kitchens clean and organized. Lounge Trainers will
stress to both new and seasoned volunteers the importance
of checking membership cards, filing reports in the VIC
after each performance, and to be mindful about security
initiatives such as keeping valuables locked away.
It has been such a pleasure to serve as your VAC
representative!
Lounge
volunteers
Margie Linn
(left) and
Barbara Pelletier
(right)
Winding Down the Year with the WNO and Friends
By David Mead, WNO VAC Representative
WNO Friends helped with many aspects of the world
premiere of a revised version of Philip Glass’s Appomattox,
as well assisting with preparations for a holiday production
of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, a perennial
favorite for the entire family. In early December, as part the
WNO’s American Opera Initiative, the Terrace Theater was
the location for the production of three newly-composed
20-minute operas featuring several of the WNO Young Artists.
To start the New Year Young Artists sang in the world
premiere of Luna Pearl Woolf’s Better Gods. The opera, told
through the eyes of an American journalist, is the story of
Queen Lili’uokalani, the last reigning Hawaiian monarch, who
refused to renounce her faith and fought to preserve her people’s
native culture. The hour-long opera featured a colorful score,
incorporating authentic Hawaiian instruments, themes, and
sounds.
In addition to these activities, the Young Artists were busy
singing in the community, including performing excerpts of
Georges Bizet’s Carmen before a receptive audience at Sidwell
Friend’s School in northwest DC, and on the Millennium Stage,
performing some highlights from Hansel and Gretel, as well as
singing traditional holiday songs.
In conclusion, to all the WNO Friends, thank you for your
service in 2015, and here’s to a happy 2016.
By Ashley David, Membership Assistant
Thank YOU and to 2016!
Membership Staff is so grateful for the Friends!
Greetings from the Membership Team! 2015 has come to a
close and we can’t help but look back at this past year and
reflect—where would we be without the Friends of the Kennedy
Center? So many of you help us each and every day in so many
ways—from fielding Membership questions at the Visitors
Center, leading tours for our Members at WNO’s Costume
Studio, making sure our Member Lounges look perfect, and
supporting the Kennedy Center yourself as a Member.
For all of this and more, from the bottom of our hearts, we
cannot thank and appreciate you enough! We look forward to
continuing our work with you to make the Kennedy Center a
truly special place for our Members. in 2016.
Good Bye to the VAC
By Andrew Jones, Retail Operations VAC Representative
A long-time dream of Friends volunteers and staff is a giant step closer to becoming a
reality. James Wolfensohn, chairman of the Board of Trustees, has given the go-ahead on
the construction project that will finally create a walk-in Gift Shop at the Kennedy Center.
The huge success of the existing Gift Shops (despite space limitations) convinced every one
of the good sense of this investment and the anticipated additional revenue it will provide
for the Center. A search will soon be underway for architectural and design assistance.
... The goal is to complete the Gift Shop by the Kennedy Center’s 20th anniversary in
September 1991. September 1990 Friendscript
At a Million Dollar Celebration on Wednesday, August 28, the Friends thank volunteers who,
through combined effort, helped earn more than $1,000,000 in Fiscal Year ‘91. At the wine
and cheese party, held in the South Atrium Foyer, Managing Director Larry Wilker thanked
the Friends volunteers for producing this invaluable contribution of revenue to help offset the
expenses of the Center’s performing arts and public service programming. Each volunteer was
presented with a “Million Dollar Volunteer” button to be worn with pride—a and a smile of
satisfaction! September 1991 Friendscript
Periz Mancherje remembers this day as her most memorable moment in 50th Anniversary video.
SHOPS DISCOUNT DAY BEST EVER
NOVEMBER 1990
NEW GIFT SHOP PROJECT GETS THE GO-AHEAD
SHOPS MILLION $ CELEBRATION IN 1991
In 2015, I had the pleasure of serving as the representative for
Retail Operations. It has been wonderful and enriching to
meet and become friends with others who share a passion for
volunteering at the Kennedy Center. I have especially enjoyed
meeting those who volunteer in other areas that I would not
otherwise see on my regular Wednesday night shift in the Gift
Shops. As 2016 begins, I am launching a new business, D&J
Bakery, in Annapolis, MD and am so grateful for the support
and kind words of encouragement that everyone has given me.
I hope that everyone will join me in welcoming Stephanie
Gimmi as the new Gift Shops VAC representative for the next
two years! She has been a dedicated volunteer for many years
and will do a great job! Stephanie can be found in the Shops on
Tuesday evenings. Stop by and say hi when you can!
NEWSFROMTHEVAC
Congratulations and thanks to the Shops volunteers who
generated more than $12,000 in sales during the November
staff/volunteer Discount Day, making it the best day ever for
the Gift Shops! January 1991 Friendscript

6. 10
New Friends at the Tour Desk in 2015
Thoughts from the Horse’s Mouth
by Tina Tate, Tour Guide VAC Representative
In 2015 19 new tour guides joined the
ranks of the Friends. To see how they
are getting along, we asked each one
three questions: what has been your
favorite tour?; what part of the script do
you most enjoy sharing?; and what has
been your biggest surprise?
The one constant themes was how
friendly, supportive and encouraging the
members of their shifts have been. One
guide described her group as warm,
wonderful, and welcoming. The new
guides share the common bond of love
for the arts with their newfound friends,
enjoying the team camaraderie that exists.
Another guide described her shift as a
family rather than a group of colleagues.
All new guides expressed their
appreciation for the efforts their shift
members are making as they train for
their evaluations.
Two of our new guides have enjoyed
giving tours in Spanish. Elizabeth
Visbeek’s favorite tour was with two El
Salvadoran women with varying degrees
of English and how delighted they were
to have the tour in their own language.
Rafael Urrutia also enjoyed giving a tour
in his native language.
Marilyn Tippett remembers her favorite
group of interested architecture students
from Catholic University who applauded
when they learned she was a new Tour
Guide. Stan Foster was explaining the
opening of the Kennedy Center on
Sept. 8, 1971 in the Opera House with
Leonard Bernstein performing “Mass”
when one of his guests replied she was
present at this first grand performance
with her family.
Rafael was most surprised discovering
all the wonderful gifts and art at the
Center. Emailie Chandras loves seeing
the reactions of awe and surprise when
guests learn the Washington Monument
could fit into the Grand Foyer. Sue
Cohen’s biggest surprise has been the
view of the scenery from the Center’s
terrace and how it changes depending
on the time of day, the weather, and the
light. She describes it as “so beautiful
but in a different way each time…
quite unexpected.” Stan Foster loves to
discuss the art and artists. He says, “it is
particularly fun when young people are
on the tour since their responses to the
art can be quite surprising.”
Both Elizabeth and Gina Briggs enjoy
showing the Israeli Lounge and the
Opera House. Visitors are not expecting
the beauty and interesting design and are
truly grateful to be given access to such
awe-inspiring spaces.
We salute our terrific team of new
guides as they prepare to show off our
beautiful building (most of the fall class
is still in training) and to excite our
guests by sharing their knowledge.
Sue Cohen expressed one minor concern
saying “the Shops are mighty inviting. I
have to pace myself.” Even this is a plus
since all proceeds from the Gifts Shops
support the Kennedy Center.
Rafael loves
giving tours in
Spanish!
Gina enjoys
showing guests
the Israeli
Lounge.
November 3, 2015
Dear Barbara (Higgins),
Thank you for the “whirlwind” tour of the Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts! I appreciate your taking time to assist me in my efforts.
I also want to thank you for making every attempt to access the various
halls!!! Mission accomplished.
I applaud and thank you and your colleagues for being such great
“Friends” to the Kennedy Center; our arts deserve that order of respect!
Again, thank you.
Congressman Paul D. Tonko,
House of Representatives
11
ENCOURAGE GUESTS TO TWEET #KENCENTOURS
Touring the Center recently, an
eighth-grade class approached
the Eisenhower Theater. Noting
the bust of President Eisenhower,
one young man turned to a
companion and asked, “Who’s
the bald-headed dude?” We
assume he found out.
July 1993 Friendscript
A Place for the Spirit, the Kennedy Center tour video,
has returned to the tour center on A Level and is
operated by the tour guides. Currently, the VCR will
rewind the tape and eject it at the end of the program.
To replay, insert the tape into the VCR. It will begin to
play automatically!
January 1993 Friendscript
FUN FACTS FROM THE TOUR DESK EARLY 1990s
Tours for Young People Tour Guide
Vince Careatti brings Smiles to KC
TOUR KUDOS

7. 12 13
Education Friends Welcome SVP of Education Mario Rossero
By Peggy Siegel, Education VAC Representative
The round-a-bouts,” responded
Mario R. Rossero, to a question
of what surprised him the most about
Washington, DC. “You make a wrong
turn,” he laughed, “and you can wind up
in a different state!”
The occasion was the 4th Annual
Education Friends meeting held on
November 20. The Friends Office had
invited the new Senior Vice President
of Education to share his priorities and
plans for the Education Division, which
fortunately turned out to be much more
inviting than the local traffic patterns.
Based on Mario’s engaging personality
and interest in the Friends, the event also
was as much about his learning about us
as it was about our learning about him.
After asking the Friends in attendance
to introduce themselves, Mario shared a
power point presentation that articulated
his aspirations for building future “Citizen
Artists,” locally to globally. The Kennedy
Center provides nearly 40 unique
education programs to over 11 million
people. Consequently, the Education
Division is uniquely positioned to merge
equity and access to arts education
for all, in order to achieve the desired
result, quality. Mario’s commitment and
enthusiasm were infectious and coupled
with a five-year strategic plan that
highlights collaboration, a compelling
reason for the Friends to participate.
“The arts,” he observed, “create an
opportunity to invite someone in and
change their life forever”—a perfect
transition for what turns out to be my
last FriendScript article as the outgoing
Education representative on the Kennedy
Center’s Volunteer Advisory Committee
(VAC). On a personal note, I would like
to thank the Friends Office for the chance
to learn so much about the Kennedy
Center itself, particularly during this
exciting time of expansion and leadership
transition, and in the company of the
talented individuals on the VAC who
represent the various departments.
My two-year term has focused on
forging a closer relationship between
the Education Division and its Friends,
first by continuing the practice initiated
by Brooks Boeke and former VAC
Education Rep Mark Raisher, to host
the annual education meetings that
showcase key education initiatives. In
2015, we expanded the possibility for
collaboration by conducting a survey to
identify and then match the individual
skills, experiences, and interests of the
Friends to Education’s needs and strategic
priorities. Responding to their request,
we also provided the tour guides with
Education Division publications so they
could provide additional information to
interested tour attendees. Hopefully, these
activities will continue during the term of
Bervin Elliott, my successor on the VAC,
whose extensive management skills honed
in the military, and in other volunteer
experiences, technological skills, and
upbeat personality will no doubt provide
invaluable contributions to the VAC.
On November 20, Friends
welcomed Senior Vice President of
Education Mario Rossero.
Facebook and Friends: a ‘Social’ Network
By Katoo Diegenant
First of all, The ‘Friends of the Kennedy Center’ Facebook
page would like to thank you for all your likes in 2015! As
we get ready for 2016, we want to increase our visibility tenfold!
Don’t forget to keep telling the other Friends—and your other
friends, family, and anyone you know who loves the performing
arts!—about this page. We don’t want anyone to miss the history
facts which we plan to continue for the foreseeable future,
Friends in Action, and many wonderful memories we share on a
regular basis on the ‘Friends of the Kennedy Center’ Facebook
wall.
Once you’ve liked the page, there are a lot more tricks to make
the page more lively and interactive. And that’s exactly what
the social media platforms are all about: creating a community
feeling.
Let’s start with an easy tool to use: the like-button. Everybody
can click the like-button at any time when there’s something
posted on the Friends wall. This means that when there’s a
picture, a history fact, or a ‘Friends in Action’ post that puts a
smile on your face, you have to click the like button!
Also, as a friend of the page, you are able to post photos on
the wall yourself. Don’t keep nice memories to yourself; share
them with other Friends. Once a photo is posted, everybody
who likes the pages can comment or like the post. So, feel free
to write comments on the posts and pictures posted on the page.
It’s also possible, if you don’t have a smartphone or a camera, to
make a Facebook post on the Friends wall about a nice volunteer
experience.
Let’s make this page an even more friendly and vivid place
this year!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6
CHINESE NEW YEAR FAMILY DAY
Thank you to all signed up to
volunteer! We have 18 Friends, 25
Festival/Event Volunteers,
12 NexGenFriends and 14 new
volunteers!
Be sure to keep tweeting
#NexGenFriends #GlobalFriends
Upcoming Events
Be sure to look for the
feature on the Gift Shop
Friends in Playbill!
The Outreach Committee has many goals this year. On the top of the
agenda are tour promotion and our perennial favorites of promoting
Festival/Event activities, Global Friends and NexGenFriends. The NGF will
continue to attract individuals 35 years and younger to events and social
activities at the Kennedy Center. The Chinese New Year Family Day is just
around the corner on February 6 (where Global Friends Mandarin speakers
will be utilized), and the Irish Festival (on the horizon in June) will need
many volunteers to make it a stellar success.
Additionally, more video projects are in the works as well as special
foreign language tours given by Global Friends, an on-line tour survey, a
new look to the Friends web page, and reaching out to other arts-related 35
and under groups around town.
Keep watching this article in future FriendScripts regarding several
surprises throughout the year too!
Friends Outreach: Looking to 2016!
by Bob Bahr, Friends Outreach Committee
Highlights in 2015
• New slides for KC Kiosks promoting the Friends,
• Festival/Event, Global Friends, and NexGenFriends
• Friends features in Playbill
• Global Friends Steering Committee established
• 4th Annual NexGenFriends Theater
• 50th Anniversary Video Project
• Special Outreach Presentation about the Friends program to the
Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board in October
• Completion of Global Friends PowerPoint Presentation promoting
arts volunteerism globally
• Millennium Stage Happy Hours for Global Friends and
NexGenFriends
AND SO MUCH MORE!
The new expanded FriendScript format allows for the
inclusion of a long-awaited feature, “Volunteer Spotlight.”
This article will provide an opportunity to highlight different
volunteers who go “above and beyond” when fulfilling their
volunteer positions. ... Stepping into the “Spotlight” in the
premiere of this feature are the new officers of the Volunteer
Advisory Committee . . . Mel Tanchel and Loretta Berg.
February 1990 Friendscript
According to [the] Kennedy
Center webmaster,
FriendScript is “one
of the most frequently
downloaded documents
on the Kennedy Center
website.”
January 1999 Friendscript
Now the first time you
write an article for
Friendscript you will
receive the spectacular new
Friendscript, The Official
Newsletter of The Friends
of the Kennedy Center Tee
Shirt. The 100% cotton
shirt boasts the Kennedy
Center logo on its back
and, just like its progenitor,
it is white with black
lettering.
September 1994
Friendscript
FRIENDSCRIPT IN THE NEWS
OUTREACHNEWS

8. 14 15
Looking Ahead to the 100th Anniversary of the Friends
By Katoo Diegenant
We recently officially celebrated the 50th anniversary of
the Friends organization on December 15. The golden-
themed gala was full of joy and appreciation gifts, but above all
it was a cozy dinner, surrounded with friendships built in and
around the Kennedy Center. Thank you all for your presence!
In light of the countdown to the 50th anniversary, his-
tory facts were posted throughout 2015 on the Friends’
Facebook page. Keep reading as the 51st anniversary is upon
us and more fun facts will be posted throughout the year.
But what about the future? What will the “Futuristic
Friends” volunteering experiences look like in 50 years?
• Tour Guides will have floating trains to transport the
visitors.
• The Gift Shop volunteers will be singing songs when you
come in during the holiday period.
• The Visitor Center volunteers will have a special chair with a
build-in computer. One click on the button of the chair will
look up every asked question and send the answers to the
earplugs of the VIC-Friends. This also gets rid of the large
computer screens at the desk: visitors of the Kennedy Center
will have the chance to see the greeting smiling faces of the
volunteers a lot better!
• Two hands won’t be enough to help out the Friends
office staff managing the 5000 (!) volunteers. The Admin
volunteers will have a computer-controlled extra pair of
hands!
• In 50 years, the Friends office will thank the volunteers every
month with a boat-party on the Potomac River. An enjoyable
meal of insects, colored French fries and non-fat meat will be
served.
Are you ready?
Throughout the year, the
Friends Office gets a
steady stream of requests for
volunteers from departments
throughout the Kennedy
Center. From Dance
Programming to Development
to Group Sales to Education
to Institutional Affairs to
Performing Arts for Everyone
to the Washington National
Opera, the Friends and
Festival/Event volunteers stuff,
stamp, seal, greet, deliver,
escort...and smile!
Admin Support: It’s not magic!
By Jessica Zaluzec
227 Volunteers supported Staff for special projects in 2015!
SOME INTERESTING TIDBITS FROM BEHIND THE SCENES
• On average, at least one request was received weekly;
• On average seven volunteers were needed monthly
• The month with the most requests was July with 12
projects;
• In June, 53 volunteers assisted other departments;
• In October, 50 volunteers were needed;
• And 227 volunteers were utilized in 2015!
It takes a village.
So far this year, 42 Friends and Festival/Event Volunteers have stepped to the plate to assist
KC Staff with special admin projects!
FROM “WANTED: COMMITTEE TO DOCUMENT
FRIENDS HISTORY” BY MICHELE CALHOUN
The 1996 VAC Chairperson,
Muriel Ardery, suggested
establishing a committee to
assist in documenting the
history of the Friends. The
new VAC discussed this at its
January meeting and approved
the proposal. Many people
have been very helpful about
suggesting names of people
to contact, places to research,
and things to collect for our
history. The Friends history started over 25 years ago,
so there is a lot to research and learn from the past. In
addition, we need to capture what is happening now. There
are many ways this job can be broken down to reasonable
sizes. I am looking for people interested in heading up
different history subcommittees.
February 1997 Friendscript
FROM “HISTORIANS DIGGING INTO FRIENDS’
PAST” BY MICHELE CALHOUN
The Kennedy Center is such an important part of our lives
and the cultural center for this city and the nation. Did
you know that it was once highly controversial? To quote
The Washington Post, September 3, 1972, “Even before
it went up, the Center seemed a custom-built target for
critical assault. The very size of the project, the inevitable
glare of the national spotlight, a much criticized design
and a bitterly debated site, the quagmire of finances,
and word-shrouded disagreement over the Center’s
fundamental purposes—all these fanned controversy.”
The Historian Committee is finding many interesting
facts as we are all digging into the past. Many of the
fascinating things we discover may never make it into the
final version of our published History, but will add to
our understanding of the development of the Center and
our organization. Some may also add to the useless trivia
our brains collect. It is definitely a rewarding walk back
in time.
June 1997 Friendscript
From “Friends Honored at White House”
The Friends volunteers are the
proud recipients of a 1991 Presi-
dent’s Volunteer Action Award.
Chairman James D. Wolfen-
sohn, the Friends 551st volun-
teer, accepted the award from
President Bush at the April 26
awards ceremony on the White
House South Lawn. Following
the awards ceremony Chairman
Wolfensohn and Friends Direc-
tor of Volunteers Heller Ann
Shapiro attended the luncheon in
the State Dining Room of the White House with President
and Mrs. Bush, several Cabinet members, and the other
award recipients.
June 1991 Friendscript
Six inches of snow made it necessary to reschedule the
annual Volunteer Recognition Party to Thursday, Decem-
ber 14. Approximately 250 people attended and a good
time was had by all.
From January 1990 Friendscript
From “A World Without Volunteers”
Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Erma
Bombeck, a columnist who used humor
to illuminate serious aspects of life, wrote
about a dream she’d had in which every
volunteer in this country had set sail for
another land. After they left, she passed a
hospital that had no one at the reception
desk, no clowns in the children’s wing . . .
a home for the aged, where the elderly were without com-
panionship and help . . . closed social agencies . . . churches
without flowers on the altar . . . and so on.
But the saddest thing, she wrote, was the symphony hall
that was dark and would remain that way . . . and the
closed museums.
It makes us wonder what this great institution would be
like without you, our volunteers—you who are Friends
of the Kennedy Center in more than one meaning of the
word. It would not, could not, be the nation’s center for
the performing arts.
From all of the administrative staff here at the Center, we
salute you during National Volunteer Week.
April 1999 Friendscript
EMBRYO STAGES OF FRIENDS
HISTORY PROJECT
RECOGNITION HIGHLIGHTS 1990s
LOOKING TO 2016!

9. 16
Like us on Facebook!
facebook.com/FriendsoftheKennedyCenter
Tweet about your volunteer experience!
#KCFriends #NexGenFriends #GlobalFriends
Visitors Center Friend Ward Morris on
Monday after the snowstorm!
Dave Acklin, Wataan Austin, Neil Clark,
and Fred Gordon prepare for the storm.
Washington D.C. reported
23 inches of snow!
In the News
Welcome New 2016 VAC Members (left to right) Bervin Elliott,
(Education), Stephanie Gimmi (Retail Operations), John Lucio
(Millennium Stage, not pictured), Nancy Reid (Friendscript), and
Iris Straus (Lounges)
The Friends office will have new neighbors! Very soon the
Group Sales and Subscription Departments will be moving
temporarily to the Concert Hall, 1st Tier while the Terrace
Theater is being renovated. Details to follow regarding directing
our visitors to these departments!.
Ten Festival/Event and NexGenFrieinds recently joined the
Child Minder team of volunteers that support Dance Programming
and the WNO.
4th Bi-annual Shift Leader Refresher took place on January 30
with David Schott, Director of Security, and Jessica Swanson,
Manager of Accessibility. The agenda included a special “tour” of
key emergency exits and how to assist patrons with disabilities as
related to security and safety procedures at the Kennedy Center.
Online Tour Survey is coming soon to KC Tour web page!
How did you find out about our tour? Tour highlights? How can
we improve the Kennedy Center tour experience? Describe your tour experience in one word! Survey
cards will also be available at the Tour Desk which will remind tour attendees to spread the word with
#KenCenTours!
Introducing new Visitors Center Behind-the-Scenes Tour to be launched this spring including
locations such as the Loading Dock, Usher’s Desk, Administrative Offices, and much more!
4th Annual NexGenFriends Theater Video coming soon to the NexGenFriends web page, produced
by NexGenFriend Travis Kirspel.
Share your experien
#KenCenTours
@kencenFriendsoftheKennedyCenter KennedyCenter
Share your experien
#KenCenTours
@kencenFriendsoftheKennedyCenter KennedyCenter
CELEBRATING 51 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE KENNEDY CENTER IN 2016!