Rabbit Run Community Arts Association
Our Story
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Giving Back
Most Influential: Tom and Libby Hill dedicated to community service
Published: Tuesday, February 05, 2013
By Elizabeth Lundblad ELundblad@News-Herald.com @NewsHLizWith one a financial adviser and the other a karate instructor, Tom and Libby Hill have a wide variety of interests, but one thing is constant — their dedication to community service.
Giving back is something the couple, who both grew up in Painesville Township, grew up with.(Click here to read the rest of the article at News-Herald.com!)
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Maria Lister Tells Our Story
Sometimes great joy is found in the midst of great loss. Adjusting to the cancer diagnosis that ultimately took his life, Kevin Lister told his wife, Maria, “I think God is telling me you need to get back into theater.” After ten years away from the stage, Maria began to act and direct for Rabbit Run Theater. “We were created to be creative and I believe the performing arts need to be cultivated and grown.”
Maria carries this mentality into all of her artistic pursuits, particularly those involving young people. “I encourage kids to support each other as they work toward the same goal” she explains. “I love being a part of a greater vision.”
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Victoria Gray tells Our Story
Summers at Rabbit Run have been busy for Victoria Gray. In addition to stage managing a number of productions at Rabbit Run Theater over the last several seasons, she has also worked in the Rabbit Run office as a summer intern. A recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace College, her internship was a practical component of the Arts Management Program, a special concentration for students looking to pursue a career in arts administration. “I wanted an experience that a classroom or a textbook couldn’t give me,” she explains.
Throughout her internship, she has noticed something about Rabbit Run that has differed from her previous experiences. “RRCAA has a community theater that is a true community” she explains, making a point to include everyone, from the actors to the volunteers to the audience. “The more that community is involved, the more we can do.”
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Korbin Lashley Tells Our Story
After attending his first production at Rabbit Run Theater as a high school student, Korbin Lashley soon came to a startling realization. “I had no idea that anyone could participate!” he explains. And participate he has! During a recent season, Korbin’s volunteer hours numbered in the hundreds.
His work and dedication made him a perfect candidate for a new responsibility. As a stage manager, Korbin manages all of the technical elements during each performance, from lights to the crew backstage.
For Korbin, encouragement is a cornerstone of Rabbit Run Community Arts Association and a reason to support the organization. “I’m very outgoing, but I’m the sort of person who quietly focuses on his work. But I was noticed. I never expected to be noticed for those things.”
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Ruth Dorr tells Our Story
Rabbit Run Theater has been a particularly special place for Ruth Dorr. She has been actively involved with Rabbit Run for over 20 years as a volunteer, a board member, Theater Operations Coordinator and countless other duties. “My oldest daughter was in a show and I volunteered to usher. The next year I said could help with costumes and…one thing led to another!”
“It’s the quality of the people that keeps others volunteering.” Ruth’s two daughters grew up taking classes and working in and around the theater at RRCAA, and she has similar feelings about their positive experiences. “You always knew that they were going to be surrounded by kind people.”
To Ruth, that’s something that has remained consistent over 20 years. “We have improved and expanded the facilities. The quality of the work has increased. But that general, overall feeling for our attendees has remained the same.”
