Dec 31, 2006

American Conservatory Theatre kicks off its Next Generation campaign

By Janet Duca Norton

Four talented stars of the San Francisco-based American Conservatory Theatre were headliners at the groups Peninsula holiday party. Board member Marilee Gardner hosted the Dec. 4 cocktail event in her Atherton home to kick off the Next Generation campaign for ACT, which is starting its 40th season. Funds will be used to establish an endowment to support the conservatory, produce new works and help with main stage productions.

"I'm pleased to help maintain this Bay Area treasure," Gardner said. "Theater is so important - it offers a voice for each generation to present opposing views, an alternative to the prevailing status quo."

The highlight of the evening was a conversation with actors Steven Jones, Rene Augesen, Gregory Wallace and Allison White, who is the newest member of the company.

Executive director Heather Kitchen lead the actors in a dialogue that touched upon how each of them came to ACT, their standout roles and what it means to be an ACT actor.

Jones, a 20-year veteran, said he always wanted to be in a company. "Being a company member gives an artist leeway to experiment." Jones felt "Tartuffe" was his standout role.
"It's a pleasure to make people laugh," Jones said. "I've had a number of experiences over 35 years where you feel you got it right."

For Augesen, her stand out was in "Celebrations."

"The preview was the night after 9/11," she said. "And it was a joy."

Wallace came to ACT to act in "Angels in America" and said it was a bonding process. "It's a gift to get to teach and act," Wallace said. "I feel I'm privileged to stand on a stage and act."

Newcomer White said her first role in "The Real Thing," by Tom Stoppard, was her standout performance.

"The greatest thing about ACT was going to school with actors and watching them on stage," White said. She is looking forward to her role in "The Circle" by Somerset Maugham, which opens Jan. 4.

Among Peninsula friends and supporters were DeeDee and Burt McMurtry, Donald and Silvia Fillman, Kenneth Jaffee and Karen White, Bertram and Susan Rowland, Claiborne Jones, Merrill and Lee Newman, Barbara Bessey and Kevin Gilmartin.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com or call (650) 327-9090, ext. 334.