Strong Leader inspires KENTUCKY THESPIANS to succeed

(One of Lynne Aronson's Thespian success stories. The kids from Dixie Heights High School with their sponsor, Priscilla Roberts. Their chapter received the 2006 Service Award for the most successful fundraising campaign for BC/EFA.)

By Joe Norton

Lynne Aronson is determined to make her last year as Chapter Director of the Kentucky State Thespians a good one.  This former actress, choral conductor, stage director and music teacher is retiring from managing 32 Thespian Troupes across the state to start her own baking company, “Flour Power.”

But she leaves with a legacy.  For the past five years, Lynne has successfully encouraged theatre students in Kentucky to raise funds for BC/EFA, a tradition she hopes to hand over to her successor.

“It started with a jar for collections at State (conference).  The Student Officers chose BC/EFA as their service project for the year, and it just stuck.  A bunch of coins in a jar has grown to over $1,000 raised each year,” Aronson says. “Each Officer contacts student leaders in every school to discuss how kids can raise money for BC/EFA throughout the year.  The school that raises the most money receives a service plaque to display in their school for the year.”

Students have come up with such successful ideas as school-wide coin collections, a “dollar-a-dance” for BC/EFA, ticket sales, and donating the concession proceeds from each show.  These types of campaigns, Aronson notes, get an entire school’s community involved, which in turn brings recognition to theatre departments which may otherwise be overlooked.

“In urban areas like Louisville and Lexington, theatre programs are stronger.  But the arts are not valued in schools in Northern Kentucky, where the rural areas are.   Getting involved with Broadway Cares shows people what we can do, besides what we do on our stages,” she says.

“We’re a small chapter – only 32 troupes, just between 80 and 100 students at our conference,” Aronson adds. These small membership numbers make it all the more impressive that the Kentucky State Thespians are one of the most successful Chapters in the Schools Outreach program.

“I’m so proud of how much money we’re raising each year.”