Page 13 - Indulge December/January 2016
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cher, film and theater critic, front of a classroom, I knew that I was now offers more entertainment than
writer, director. Our newest exactly where I belonged. any of us have time to enjoy at a price
Valley Girl has worn many hats we can often afford. Civic is aware but
over the years. Most of the hats she’s Q: How did you first get involved undaunted by our challenges. … Our
worn have had something to do with history is rich and the community knows
either school or theater. in the Civic Theatre? that we are here to serve all.
Without further ado, meet Sharon A: When we arrived in Allentown, Q: What can audiences expect to
Glassman, president of the Civic
Theatre in Allentown. Born and raised there were two theaters that caught my see in this year’s production of “A
in Pittsburgh, Sharon and her husband, attention: Guthsville Playhouse and Christmas Carol?”
Barry, settled in the Valley decades Civic. My husband and I auditioned
ago, raised their daughter, Leigh at Civic and he got a role and as I A: This year will be more traditional,
Nicole, and found a home at the Civic. had stated my primary interest was
directing, the board asked me if I but as always, Artistic Director William
While teaching at Emmaus High would like to direct an upcoming show. Sanders will add a bit of new flavor to
School, Sharon also ran a club called I immediately said, “yes,” and went on the “holiday pudding.” I think whoever
Drama Dept! and an anti-drug program to direct many shows at Civic, become plays Scrooge ultimately impacts the
as well as sponsored the classes of a board member, and then move into kind of “A Christmas Carol” that we see
1984 and 1992. She also directed and being the president of the organization. … some are more serious and some are
produced EHS productions and served Similar to my feeling in front of a more comical, but all reach the moment
as chief negotiator for the East Penn classroom, when I walked into Civic in their journey to redemption that
Education Association before retiring. and looked around, I knew that this touches the hearts of each audience
was the place where I could give back member.
At the Civic, she has served in a to my community (a must in my family)
wide range of roles over the years, and love every minute of it. Q: What advice would you give
and several of her plays have been
produced at the Civic. Her latest, Q: What attracts you to theater? someone who would like to follow a
“Mommalogues,” a collaboration A: Although I like all art forms, I similar career path?
with Gretchen Klinedinst Furst, was
first performed at the Civic and then have been entranced with theater since A: Anyone who is going into education
produced off-Broadway by Marvell Rep I went to my first serious play at the
at the Barrow Street Theatre. Pittsburgh Playhouse when I was 15. should realize that it is an ever
… When theater is performed well, developing profession and teachers who
Among her board affiliations, she it is an opportunity for each of us to do not continue to learn will never be the
is the chair of the Allentown Arts connect with our humanity, to know best teacher they can be. ... There are
Commission and was a founding that we are not alone, to realize that many ways to become part of the theater
member of the Pennsylvania even the most evil villains share a trait world. I think the best advice I can offer
Shakespeare Festival of the Arts. She or two with the most elevated heroes. is to make sure that you do not have
also has served on the boards of Dream Giving theater to children is one of a personal agenda … just love theater
Come True, the West End Alliance the best gifts a community can give to and offer to do whatever you do well. …
and the Mayfair Festival of the Arts, future leaders. Expect no financial reward, but many
among others. Her work has earned her wonderful moments of satisfaction.
numerous accolades from her peers Q: What challenges do you see
and the community. She took time out
of her busy schedule to chat with us. facing the arts, and more specifically,
the Civic Theatre?
Q: What made you decide
A: The arts always face the challenge
to become a teacher?
of funding. … With an economy that
A: My mother was an elementary is not booming and costs that rise as
though it were, everyone is fighting to
school teacher and had a true love of produce quality work that is affordable.
learning and education. My “go to” Civic faces the same challenges as
indoor game was playing school. I also other nonprofit theaters. … People
grew up in a time when women were have less discretionary money and
expected to choose teaching or nursing. many more places to spend it.
I chose teaching. ... once I was in Television (or your computer or iPhone)
writer, director. Our newest exactly where I belonged. any of us have time to enjoy at a price
Valley Girl has worn many hats we can often afford. Civic is aware but
over the years. Most of the hats she’s Q: How did you first get involved undaunted by our challenges. … Our
worn have had something to do with history is rich and the community knows
either school or theater. in the Civic Theatre? that we are here to serve all.
Without further ado, meet Sharon A: When we arrived in Allentown, Q: What can audiences expect to
Glassman, president of the Civic
Theatre in Allentown. Born and raised there were two theaters that caught my see in this year’s production of “A
in Pittsburgh, Sharon and her husband, attention: Guthsville Playhouse and Christmas Carol?”
Barry, settled in the Valley decades Civic. My husband and I auditioned
ago, raised their daughter, Leigh at Civic and he got a role and as I A: This year will be more traditional,
Nicole, and found a home at the Civic. had stated my primary interest was
directing, the board asked me if I but as always, Artistic Director William
While teaching at Emmaus High would like to direct an upcoming show. Sanders will add a bit of new flavor to
School, Sharon also ran a club called I immediately said, “yes,” and went on the “holiday pudding.” I think whoever
Drama Dept! and an anti-drug program to direct many shows at Civic, become plays Scrooge ultimately impacts the
as well as sponsored the classes of a board member, and then move into kind of “A Christmas Carol” that we see
1984 and 1992. She also directed and being the president of the organization. … some are more serious and some are
produced EHS productions and served Similar to my feeling in front of a more comical, but all reach the moment
as chief negotiator for the East Penn classroom, when I walked into Civic in their journey to redemption that
Education Association before retiring. and looked around, I knew that this touches the hearts of each audience
was the place where I could give back member.
At the Civic, she has served in a to my community (a must in my family)
wide range of roles over the years, and love every minute of it. Q: What advice would you give
and several of her plays have been
produced at the Civic. Her latest, Q: What attracts you to theater? someone who would like to follow a
“Mommalogues,” a collaboration A: Although I like all art forms, I similar career path?
with Gretchen Klinedinst Furst, was
first performed at the Civic and then have been entranced with theater since A: Anyone who is going into education
produced off-Broadway by Marvell Rep I went to my first serious play at the
at the Barrow Street Theatre. Pittsburgh Playhouse when I was 15. should realize that it is an ever
… When theater is performed well, developing profession and teachers who
Among her board affiliations, she it is an opportunity for each of us to do not continue to learn will never be the
is the chair of the Allentown Arts connect with our humanity, to know best teacher they can be. ... There are
Commission and was a founding that we are not alone, to realize that many ways to become part of the theater
member of the Pennsylvania even the most evil villains share a trait world. I think the best advice I can offer
Shakespeare Festival of the Arts. She or two with the most elevated heroes. is to make sure that you do not have
also has served on the boards of Dream Giving theater to children is one of a personal agenda … just love theater
Come True, the West End Alliance the best gifts a community can give to and offer to do whatever you do well. …
and the Mayfair Festival of the Arts, future leaders. Expect no financial reward, but many
among others. Her work has earned her wonderful moments of satisfaction.
numerous accolades from her peers Q: What challenges do you see
and the community. She took time out
of her busy schedule to chat with us. facing the arts, and more specifically,
the Civic Theatre?
Q: What made you decide
A: The arts always face the challenge
to become a teacher?
of funding. … With an economy that
A: My mother was an elementary is not booming and costs that rise as
though it were, everyone is fighting to
school teacher and had a true love of produce quality work that is affordable.
learning and education. My “go to” Civic faces the same challenges as
indoor game was playing school. I also other nonprofit theaters. … People
grew up in a time when women were have less discretionary money and
expected to choose teaching or nursing. many more places to spend it.
I chose teaching. ... once I was in Television (or your computer or iPhone)
