SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010
KLMNO the new arena stage} the benefactors Two generous families, lasting contributions
by Jacqueline Trescott The cultural audiences in
Washington walk in and out of buildings emblazoned with the names Mead and Kogod. Those families have made tre- mendous financial contributions to the arts landscape, and they are critical players in how Wash- ington has blossomed into a first-class destination for theater and cultural spaces. Note the soaring Kogod Courtyard, join- ing the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Note the light- filled Mead Lobby at Signature Theatre. Now the two names have come together at Arena Stage. The families are major do- nors to the theater’s the Next Stage Campaign, which has raised $108 million toward its goal of $125 million. The Mead name is above the entire com- plex. Within the building, a new theater that will nurture Amer- ican plays has been christened for the Kogods. Jaylee Montague Mead, 81, a
retired mathematician and as- tronomer with the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis- tration, grew up in Clayton, N.C., and found a sparse theater scene in Washington when she first came in 1956. “I joined the Foreign Service because I wanted to see the world, then I decided to stay in Washington,” Mead said in an in-
terview a few days ago. “For thea- ter, the only thing was the Na- tional and the Warner. They im- ported theater. So I went to the Old Vat, which is today’s Arena, and they had regional theater.” Her love for the stage, and her understanding of the challenges for actors, was solidified when she joined an employee musical group at the Goddard Space Flight Center in the early 1960s. Mead started at NASA in 1959, one of a handful of women. “There weren’t many at the time, that’s true. But I had majored in mathematics and when NASA was formed, they had to find more mathematicians,” she said. Across the hall from her God- dard office was a physicist named Gilbert Mead. “He was so fastidious and that was appeal- ing to me,” she said of Gilbert, who had grown up in Wisconsin, where his family owned Consoli- dated Papers. At Goddard, Gil- bert was also part of the musical group, playing piano and direct- ing the music. Jaylee’s first role was Babe in “The Pajama Game,” and the theater group went through the whole catalog of Broadway musicals. The Meads were married in 1968. Drawn to Studio Theatre’s ap- peal to build a new theater, the Meads started donating modest amounts to local theaters in the 1980s. “That was about $5,000,” Mead said. And they joined the boards of Studio and Arena. When Gilbert’s father died, his
Their arts legacies
In the 1970s only a dozen theater groups produced professional work in the Washington region. Today Washington can no longer be called a cultural backwater. About 70 companies, large and small, contribute to a wide variety of theater offerings. That growth couldn’t have happened without Jaylee Mead and the late Gilbert Mead, and Arlene and Robert Kogod. Their major donations:
Jaylee and Gilbert Mead (1930-2007)
Arena Stage at Mead Center for American Theater: a complex of three theaters, offices and theater-related spaces (before renovation simply called Arena Stage)
Mead Theater: a 200-plus seat theater, opened in 1987 on 14th Street NW, at Studio Theatre, which specializes in contemporary plays.
Mead Theater Lab: space and support for experimental new work at Flashpoint on G Street NW.
Mead Lobby: a 4,300-square-foot space opened in 2007 at Signature Theatre, in Arlington, and named for the late Rob Mead, Gilbert’s son.
Arlene and Robert Kogod
Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard: a 28,000-square-foot covered space, opened in 2007, between National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. (Entire complex is named Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, on F Street NW.)
Kogod Cradle: a 200-seat flexible space for new plays at Arena Stage. Kogod Lobby: Studio Theatre’s main lobby, opened in 2004.
Kogod House: four-apartment residences for visiting staff, opened in 2006 for Studio Theatre.
Arlene and Robert Kogod Center for the Arts: classroom building with 465-seat theater, opened in 1982, at Sidwell Friends School.
Robert & Arlene Kogod Theater: 200-seat flexible space, opened in 2001 at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at University of Maryland.
The ARK Theatre: 110-seat flexible space, opened in 2006, at Signature Theatre.
(Also: Kogod School of Business: classroom building, named in 1979, at American University.)
— Jacqueline Trescott
OPENS OCT. 19 Chekhov
International Theatre Festival
Performed in Russian w/ English surtitles
Three Sisters Twelfth Night
Oct. 19&20 and
Oct. 22&23 Eisenhower Theater Tickets from $22
Call (202) 467-4600
kennedy-center.org
The Studio Theatre
"Wryly funny, crisply designed, confidently acted" - TheWashington Post
Today at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION
Spalding Gergiev
Spalding withGretchen Parlato Sunday, October 3 at 7pm The Lincoln Theatre
Esperanza The Schiff
Orchestra Valery Gergiev, principal conductor with Choral Arts Society of Washington Orfeón Pamplonés Children’s Chorus of Washington
Mariinsky MAHLER Symphony No. 8
Tuesday, October 19 at 8pm Kennedy Center Concert Hall
András Ma
Schiff, piano Wednesday, October 20 at 8pm The Music Center at Strathmore
Yo-Yo Ma,cello Kathryn Stott, piano Thursday, October 21 at 7:30pm Kennedy Center Concert Hall
WPAS.org • (202) 785-9727 Kathleen McElfresh and MacKenzie Meehan
The Studio 2ndStage Opening September 29
SONGS OFTHE DRAGONS
FLYINGTO HEAVEN by Young Jean Lee
directed by Natsu Onoda Power
studiotheatre.org • 202-332-3300
OLNEYTHEATRE CENTER EXTENDED UNTIL OCT. 3! “Fine…shattering production” –TheWash Post
DINNERWITH FRIENDS
By Donald Margulies Directed by Jim Petosa TODAYAT 1:45AND 7:45PM
301.924.3400
olneytheatre.org
WOOLLYMAMMOTH “Brilliant!” -Washingtonian
IN THE NEXTROOM ORTHE
VIBRATOR PLAY
WRITTEN BY SARAH RUHL DIRECTED BYAARON POSNER Must Close October 3rd ! 202-393-3939 •
woollymammoth.net
“They're the best! There's no one like them, no one in their league!” —Larry King, CNN
“Non-stop
hilarious...four stars.” —Arch Campbell, WRC-TV
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30 PM Ronald Reagan Bldg, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave,NW
INFO: 202-312-1555 Tickets available through TicketMaster at
Home delivery makes good sense.
1-800-753-POST SF 703-683-8330•
www.capsteps.com
To purchase Capitol Steps CDs & cassettes, for private show info:
SF
Home delivery makes good sense. 1-800-753-POST
SF
Home delivery makes good sense. 1-800-753-POST
(202) 397-SEAT
www.ticketmaster.com Group Sales: 202-312-1427
If only you had home delivery.
1-800-753-POST
featuring Jennifer Mendenhall, Harry A.Winter, Jeff Talbott ,
directed by David Muse by Annie Baker THEATER J
“A heroic performance”-TheWash Post Today at 3:00 and 7:30!
Rick Foucheux and Deborah Hazlett in
SOMETHING YOU DID
Today at 4:30- Free post-show talkback Tues. 9:00: Peace Café: Defining Terrorism
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge Tues. at 7:30,Wed. at Noon
800-494-TIXS •
www.theaterj.org
ROUND HOUSE THEATRE Bethesda
FINAL PERFORMANCES TODAYAT 3&8PM
“A high-end spine-tingler” —–Peter Marks,TheWash Post
THE TALENTED MR.RIPLEY
Excellent seats available for 8pm
$10 & $15 tix for age 30 & under TKTS/INFO: 240-644-1100
roundhousetheatre.org n 4545 East-West Hwy. x
B DINNER THEATRE Mystery Dinner Playhouse
MURDER LAS VEGAS STYLE!
A killer casino murder mystery Sheraton Crystal City Hotel
1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA Every Fri & Sat at 7:30; Sun at 6:30
RESV/INFO: 888-471-4802
www.mysterydinner.com Prkg & Metro Shuttle
B COMEDY B J. Reilly Lewis, Music Director Mass in B Minor
Program centers on J.S. Bach's B Minor Mass and music by his contemporaries at the Leipzig court
Pre-concert lecture at 2 pm Free post-concert reception
Plenty of free parking Sunday Oct. 3, at 3pm
National Presbyterian Church 4101 NebraskaAve.NW
Tickets $23-$65 at (202) 429-2121
www.BachConsort.org
Origins:The B By Willy Holtzman
n Tues– Fri at 8, Sat at6&9,Sun at3&7 x Student Rush TicketsAvailable
TKTS:202-467-4600 / GROUPS: 202-416-8400
www.kennedy-center.org/shearmadness
happening with your money.” Robert Kogod, 79, president of
Jaylee and Gilbert Mead
inheritance enabled them to do- nate amounts that the theaters acknowledge as making a huge difference. Their contributions to local groups totaled $50 mil- lion. Gilbert died in 2007 at age 76.
They were early supporters of
the Kennedy Center’s Millenni- um Stage, its nightly free per- formance program. Jaylee was
Robert and Arlene Kogod
on the selection committee to choose the new artistic director at Studio. But she loves sitting back in the orchestra, just like everyone else, enjoying the musi- cals at Arena and Signature, and the contemporary work at Stu- dio. After donating $35 million to Arena’s campaign, she said, “The greatest joy is to give while you live, so you can see what is
Charles E. Smith Management, has contributed heavily to many academic, artistic and Jewish causes in the region. The Smith company, founded by the father of Kogod’s wife Arlene, is one of the largest real estate developers in the Washington area. .A mem- ber of the Smithsonian Institu- tion Board of Regents since 2005, Kogod is chairman of its facilities committee. The Smith- sonian commands some of Wash- ington’s prime real estate along the Mall, visited by 30 million people a year and the repairs needed are estimated at $73 mil- lion.
When the Smithsonian want- ed to have a world-class architec-
tural statement at the American Art Museum and National Por- trait Gallery, the Kogods stepped in. With their $25 million dona- tion, the Smithsonian was able to have famed architect Sir Norman Foster build a glass canopy over what is now the Kogod Court- yard.
At the time, Kogod, who de- clines to discuss his philanthro- py publicly, said: “Arlene and I are happy to make this contribu- tion because it combines our feelings for the Smithsonian, our city and our country with our in- terests in the fine and decorative arts and building design.” Those who know him are bet- ting that he hasn’t changed that sentiment with Arena.
trescottj@washpost.com
E5
B
THEATRE MetroStage New Jazz Age Musical B THEATRE B a romance as timeless as Romeo and Juliet
EL CABALLERO DE OLMEDO
In Spanish with English Surtitles Thurs-Sat at 8 pm/Sun at 3 pm
The Knight from Olmedo by Lope deVega (Spain)
GALita
EL BOSQUE DE MIS LIBROS
by Ignacio Martinez (Uruguay) directed by Laura Quiroga In Spanish
Thurs 10:30 am/Sat 3 pm Sept 30-Oct 21 202-234-7174 I
galatheatre.org American Airlines is GALA’s Official Carrier.
“Shrieks of laughter night after night.” -TheWashington Post
Robert Eisenstein & Christopher Kendall Artistic Directors
PASTIME WITH GOOD COMPANY
Music from the court of Henry VIII with award-winning vocal sextet Lionheart
October 1-3 Early Music Seminar Wednesday at 6pm, $15
Get “Behind the Music” and enjoy a wine & cheese reception
202.544.7077
www.folger.edu/consort Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol St. •Washington,DC
Trinity Chamber Orchestra
Sun, September 26 at 3PM
ofWashington Our Twelfth Season!
St.Ann’s Catholic Church 4001Yuma Street
featuring the works of Beethoven, Haydn, Debussy and Cimarosa
suggested ticket donation $25 at door 301-926-0936
www.trinitychamberorchestra.org B
“Pop, fizz, deliriously good… Diaz is “bright and beautiful, a triple threat of acting, singing and dancing talent..”
dctheatrescene.com
GLIMPSES OF THE MOON
based on a novel by Edith Wharton Th&Fri 8, Sat3&8,Sun3&7 800-494-8497/
www.metrostage.org
FORD'STHEATRE PREVIEWS START OCT. 1
SABRINA FAIR
(202) 397-SEAT
www.fords.org
511 10th Street,NWWashington,DC B CONCERTS
The Embassy Series™
Fri, Oct 1 at 7:30 pm: Iraqi Cultural Center
SAFAAFIRMAQAM ENSEMBLE
$75/free valet parking/ Middle Eastern reception
Sun, Oct 17 at 3 pm: Austrian Embassy
TILL FELLNER, Piano All-Beethoven-- $50/Reception
www.embassyseries.org
Tkts: 202.625.2361 Order online/info/mailing list:
B REQUIEM
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem Op 46 Bob Chilcott: Requiem* (*DC area premiere)
Select chamber ensemble, Echos w/ orchestra & guest soloists
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 7 pm Falls Church Presbyterian Church 225 East Broad St. (Rt. 7), Falls Church,VA
Tkts/info:
www.choralis.org or call 703 237-2499
B OPERA 20th Anniversary Season Continuing our The Opera Camerata of
THE MERRY WIDOW
Washington Presents
Elisabeth Turchi, Jesús Hernández, José Sacín&Jennifer Mathews
Featuring Stephen Czarkowski Accompanied by
Conducting The Opera Camerata ofWashington Orchestra and Chorus
Friday October 8, 7 P.M. Embassy of Austria
3524 International Court, Northwest Washington, District of Columbia
$45 / $60
www.instantseats.com or (202) 386-6008
Reservations&Information
www.operacamerata.org JAZZ
2010
Vocals Competition &Tribute to the Great
American Songbook Honoring
Founder’s Award Recipient Aretha Franklin
With Jazz All-Stars: Patti Austin
Dee Dee Bridgewater Terri Lyne Carrington George Duke Kurt Elling
Kevin Eubanks James Genus Herbie Hancock Jimmy Heath Al Jarreau T.S.Monk
Dianne Reeves Wayne Shorter
October 4, 7:30pm
Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater Tickets: $35-75
For tickets, call the Kennedy Center at
www.kennedy-center.org B
202.467.4600 Or purchase online:
B
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
DANCE CLASSES BEST
PRICES!
Over ¼million dancers since 1976! 4Week Course - $49 Swing•Salsa•Ballroom
703-528-9770
dancefactory.com 954 N. Monroe, Arlington at VA Square Metro[
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202-334-7006 FAX 202-496-3814
guidetoarts@washpost.com
Terence Blanchard
Thelonious Monk International Jazz
B B
B
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CHORAL MUSIC
B
SYMPHONY OF A THOUSAND!
SCHUMANN!
ALL
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