Volunteer Spotlight

There are hundreds of Kankakee area folks who build and paint sets, sew costumes, do the lights, make the music, take you to your seat and even open the curtains. The Theatre couldn't exist without them and it is a pleasure to honor these outstanding, dedicated people here in the “Volunteer Spotlight.”

KVTA Volunteer of the Year - 2011
Pat Ward

 

Prior to Kankakee Valley Theatre and Young Peoples Theatre merging into Kankakee Valley Theatre Association, Pat first became involved with the theatre when her children auditioned for YPT productions. Her involvement with YPT began when her six year old son was cast in Hans Christian Anderson in 1991. Pat recalls, "Since we lived in Ashkum, I didn't have anywhere to go during practices, so I just stayed in the audience. The director asked me to pull curtains, and I decided I was there so I might as well." That same year she was nominated for a Young Peoples Theatre Board of Directors position and was then elected to the board. She served as a general board member for one year and then was vice president of the board for the next four years. Her involvement with the organization during that time eventually led to her decision to apply to direct shows years later.

Pat has been on the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association Board of Directors since 2000. She has served as vice president of the board for the last five years. As a board member, she has been the chairperson for numerous standing committees that involve all aspects of community theatre. Pat has directed twelve productions for KVTA involving both adult and children casts. Annie Get Your Gun, Brigadoon, and State Fair are among the productions she has directed for KVT. Pat has also helped children develop a passion for theatre by directing YPT productions including Raggs, Music Man, Jr., Dear Edwina, Jr., and Babes in Toyland. In the Fall of 2011, Pat will direct Oliver! for KVT. In addition to serving on the production staff of many shows, Pat has also performed onstage in various roles for KVT productions. Her favorite roles have been in Lil' Abner, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Meet Me in St. Louis.

No matter what the task, Pat is always willing to lend a helping hand. She truly believes that every task related to moving a production from the initial planning stages to the final performance is important. When she is involved with a show others see her level of commitment to the organization and cannot help but be inspired to volunteer their time and talents as well. Even when she is directing a show, she is the first to volunteer to pick up a paintbrush to help finish the set or move set pieces from one location to another. Her enthusiasm for the theatre is contagious. When you watch Pat in action on the stage or behind the scenes, you can easily see how much she enjoys what she is doing and how proud she is to be involved with KVTA. Through the years, many others who started out just like Pat (as a parent of a child who auditioned for a show) have followed her lead and donated countless hours of their time and talents to KVTA. Pat truly leads by example!

Through her involvement in the theatre, she has enjoyed becoming friends with so many people from different backgrounds. Outside of the theatre, she finds it rewarding how many people have told her of their family's connection to KVTA and how positively the organization has affected their lives. Pat takes special pride in watching the children who started out in YPT and have gone on to pursue music and theatre outside of Kankakee County. According to Pat, "Knowing I cast some of these children in their first show makes my heart proud!"