Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and in this season of gratitude, The Soo Theatre Project, the downtown arts center for Sault Sainte Marie, MI and its surrounding communities of the Eastern Peninsula, would like to highlight its supporters, teachers, and staff.
The Soo Theatre Project depends on donations of all sizes. Tuition pays for a fraction of the costs that comes with operating a historic theatre, an arts school called STARS, multiple performances, and other events all year long. This week STP would like to thank it’s BENEFACTORS — Arfstrom Pharmacy, Arbic Construction, Barish’s Footwear and Apparel, Chippewa County Credit Union, Edward Jones, Lake Street Studio, Leisa Mansfield State Farm, McKinley Manor, Old Mission Bank, Parker Ace Hardware, Pro Sports, Soo Co-Op Credit Union, Smith & Company Real Estate, Soo Motors, War Memorial Hospital, and Carol S. Andary Attorney at Law.
The sponsors ensure that the arts school is full of students and has very talented teachers. One such teacher is International vocalist, harpist, and pianist Karen Hughes Beacom whose voice majestically fills the theatre with goosebump-making melody.
Betty Struble loves teaching others to play the piano. She began playing the piano at age six. Her genuine warmth makes a clear path for success for her students.
Not only does Ronda McGreevy teach piano and voice, but she also plays guitar and ukulele. Ronda has much talent in many areas.
Dottie Case teaches violin, viola, piano, and clarinet. Dottie directs the STARS Youth Orchestra and the adult orchestra, The New Horizons Strings. Her friendliness creates a “can do” atmosphere of achievement.
Maggie Twining moved to Sault Ste. Marie a few years ago and quickly created a musical home at STP. Her talent is stringed instruments for she began playing cello at age 10. Join her cello choir at STP.
Benjamin Gulder Benjamin loves teaching students of all ages how to play the violin. He can often be found playing on Sundays at the Farmer’s Market in Hessel and around the area with singer songwriter Marty Feldhake.
Randy Krause’s patient gentleness is ever present when she teaches art. Using acrylics and water colors, Randy’s love for painting is quite obvious.
Sarah Gartshore, opera singer and Canadian voice teacher, brings her extraordinary talents to STP once a week for her Music Together classes. Sarah’s talent and warmth shine through to children from zero to five years old through this nationally acclaimed early music learning program offered right here in the Soo.
The sponsors ensure that The Soo Theatre Project office is staffed with helpful, friendly people who have a passion for arts education, performance, and community events.
Ann Kessinger, bookkeeper, can often be seen at the front office performing tasks other than bookkeeping. Her bright smile welcomes all who enter the STP doors.
Bev Marble, cleaner extraordinaire, keeps STP’s house looking lovely. She works incredibly like a behind-the-scenes cleaning warrior creating a home-like environment for everyone who enters the STP doors.
Taylor Brugman, technical director works tirelessly throughout the entire year to make sure the sound sounds right and the lights light correctly. This is no small job! And he has brought movies back downtown.
The Soo Theatre Project has much gratitude for all their faculty, staff, people, businesses, groups, donors, and students who make STP the wonderful arts center that it is. Thank you!
Don’t forget about this wonderful holiday annual tradition: The Holiday Tour of Homes! It is Sunday, December 11. Tickets will soon be available. Homeowners are preparing their homes for you, STP musicians are rehearing festive songs for you, Co-Ed flowers is making decorations for this event, and special plans (and goodies!) are being created for the tea. Mark your calendars now to attend this event.
At the Soo Theatre Project, there is always something for everyone all year long. Call at 906-632-1930. Or, visit at 534 Ashmun Street downtown Sault Sainte Marie, MI. Or, like us on Facebook at Soo Theatre Project, Inc.
