Final Thoughts – Fall 2021
We haven’t published the Applause since June 2020. That realization caused me to pause, reflect, and reread the column I wrote for that edition. Those were some crazy scary times. In the midst of the uncertainty of those months, I was reminded of the encouragement and faithfulness of our members. You were rock-solid supporters. Thank you for your support then and now.
As we continue our annual membership campaign, I share a reminder that the generous contributions of our faithful members help put people on stage and in seats. If you haven’t joined or renewed, will you? You’ll find a membership form inside this Applause. Thank you in advance for making a difference. You’ll find this Applause packed full of information about the exciting shows we have scheduled from September to November. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss a single show! In addition to the programming already announced, we are adding two new touring artists for the spring of 2022. We’ll publish them as soon as the dates are finalized. Stay tuned!
This will likely be my last Applause column, and with that, I want to share some appreciation. My time at the Palace has been spent with some outstanding people. While some on staff just joined the team, they are already assets and people I am proud to work with. The Palace staff who have shared multiple years with me here are like family. We’ve celebrated life’s wins and grieved life’s losses together. They’ve borne the brunt of my storytelling too many Monday mornings to remember. I count myself blessed for having shared this time with them. They are incredibly talented people giving their best to this organization and making the magic happen for you. The Board of Directors has also committed their time and energy to make the PCAA a success and my time here meaningful in so many ways. I can say I’ve never been bored at a board (bored) meeting! I’m fortunate that they know how to have fun while accomplishing a great deal of good. Palace volunteers, both on stage and off, have done whatever it takes to meet the needs of the Theatre. They are individually and corporately a gift. Our sponsors, community partners, funders, and members have supported, sustained, and improved the Theatre and encouraged me. To the thousands and thousands of ticket-buying audience members, your enthusiasm for what we do here has been the icing on the cake. I have loved seeing your smiling faces and hearing your laughter as you exit the theatre; knowing that your lives have been enriched has added joy to this journey.
And last but far from least, thank you to my family. My remarkable husband, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids — I say a huge thank you for stepping in to help when the work was too much, for encouraging me when I didn’t think I could do it, for waiting patiently during long days and short weekends, and for loving the Theatre as I do.
To you all, your support, on so many levels and in various ways, has helped me accomplish far more than I could have accomplished alone because it truly “takes a village” to run a theatre.
In a year that is themed “A Season of Love,” thank you for filling my heart with so much love. I will carry it with me.
Gratefully,
Bev