April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and at Walton Arts Center, that means celebrating a dedicated troupe of over 200 volunteers who donate countless hours each year to bring the magic of the performing arts to our community.
Volunteering can fit into any lifestyle, but don’t just take our word for it. Talk to Amelia Catanzaro, a young professional who works full time in corporate and still volunteers at Walton Arts Center. “Volunteering does not have to be a big time commitment, you can work three hours or 300 hours and everything in between. That makes it accessible whether you're a working professional, retired or a student. You can work around your schedule and still make an impact.”
Catanzaro is just one of several volunteers that carve out time to volunteer in addition to their corporate careers. The company she works for donation-matches her volunteer time, allowing them both to give back to the community.
During a show, volunteers help with a wide range of tasks like scanning tickets and handing out programs, pouring drinks in the Friends lounge, helping patrons find their seats and answering questions. For Catanzaro, this variation is what makes volunteering so fun. “It's not like your day job where you know what to expect,” she said. “You show up here and it's different everyday because of the shows, the volunteer positions available and all of the different patrons. Getting to see other people excited to come to this space is the best feeling.”
That connection to Walton Arts Center runs deep. “The arts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Catanzaro said. From her first experience seeing a Broadway show (Mamma Mia in 2006), to performing on the Baum Walker Hall stage with her dance class, or to attending a Classroom Series show, “Walton Arts Center was always at the core of my arts experiences.”
“When I graduated college, all those extra arts experiences stopped – I wasn’t singing in choir, wasn’t on a dance team anymore – but I was looking for someway to still be connecting to the arts,” she said. As a season subscriber herself, Catanzaro knows firsthand the joy of live performance, but what drives her most is sharing that feeling with someone experiencing it for the first time. " I am glad I get to be a part of that journey for someone else.” Furthering her dedication to the impact of the arts, Catanzaro also donates a gift through the Friends program, helping set the stage for free performances for our community throughout the year.
The impact of the arts goes beyond just sitting in a chair and seeing a show. "Having a place that makes you feel loved and welcome is amazing," Catanzaro says, "and Walton Arts Center is that place."
Learn more about volunteering at waltonartscenter.org/volunteer.