Fulfilling Needs
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Ashley Rumburg works in Development (Devo) as the Corporate Giving Coordinator at Center Theatre Group where she dwells everyday in the sexy world of non-profit fundraising.
“Why on God’s green earth would you want to work for a non-profit theatre company?!?”
I promise you - this is the first thing that comes out of people’s mouths when they discover what I do for a living. It is unfathomable to most why I would want to sacrifice my time, my paycheck and my career (in their opinions) for the greater good, the betterment of society or some other equivalent trite expression. But to me, the answer is simple.
Back in November, I experienced firsthand how important my work at CTG was when I volunteered to help with a Target Young Audiences Program event surrounding The School of Night. The entire premise of these performances is to bring students in from underserved schools in the surrounding community and treat them to a free daytime performance and cast Q & A session. When I arrived my colleagues were ready and raring to go. They explained to me how fulfilling it was to witness the students’ reactions to theatre. I graciously smiled and nodded as I tried to down as much coffee as possible before they started arriving. It was only when the yellow school busses started pulling up to the curb that I began to see how much a trip to the theatre really impacted these kids. Their relentless giggling and incessant chatter completely reinforced the idea that we were doing something good - something meaningful.
After the play, I stuck around to watch the Q & A session with the cast, only to be utterly astounded by the depth of their questions. By viewing this one play, these students were able to reveal and dissect certain elements of truth that I never understood in my 4+ years at university. This one performance really affected the way they viewed their own lives, and made me realize the great work that we do at CTG.
It’s imperative that we continue to raise funds so we can provide arts education and vital creative outlets for other Los Angeles natives. If I can help bring even a little joy to their lives, fulfill their basic needs by nourishing their minds and enable them to have a little fun, then my need has been fulfilled.
Photo caption: Students attend The School of Night during the Target Young Audiences Program. Photo by Kathryn Indeik.
