When Lynn Kable lived in New York City, she was a force to
contend with. More than a force, in
fact. As an arts administrator and
producer, she conceived and created programs throughout the city, in homeless
shelters, libraries, museums and professional theater venues from Broadway
(when she worked for Merrick) to downtown La MaMa Experimental Theater Company
and spaces between. Overseas, she worked on a number of landmark projects in
East Central Europe (Macedonia, Poland,
etc), Central Asia (Uzbekistan) and more.
This year, 2013, marks the 10th year that Lynn
has lived and worked in Virginia, just south of historic Charlottesville and
north of the seven hills of Lynchburg.
For most of these years, she has slowly been working towards the
reputation of bringing to the public a wide range of diverse and professional
music, theater and outreach engagement projects. She formed her own non-profit organization
in 2006, Amherst Glebe Arts Response (AGAR) [see: http://www.amherstglebeartsresponse.org/ for the purpose of finding funding and
community support for these public programs.
Some of the events take place in nearby historic churches and venues;
from Amherst High School to St. Mark’s Church, and most recently a play
performed for two weekends in the Parlor Room of her own landmarked home, The
Glebe.
What can I say about working with Lynn? For those who know
her and have had the privileged opportunity to work with her, you know what I
mean. Lynn has an unfathomable energy to
see through any obstacle and bring out the best in everyone she works
with. Her demands are large, so you
cannot go into a project half-heartedly; but most often her enthusiasm prevails
and we find ourselves working harder than ever to be part of her dreams.
For 18 days in November, I was a more than willing witness
and participant in the creation of The Belle of Amherst, a play that Lynn
envisioned in her home the first day she saw the front Parlor. (In fact, I suspect
that being able to have this play performed in her house was one of the reasons
she and her husband Ned bought The Glebe.)
see: http://www.amherstcountymuseum.org/tour1957.html#glebe.
We rehearsed and presented the play for six performances. The Parlor seating for the audience was
limited to 24 maximum each day, and Lynn managed to bring in audiences that
ranged in age from 12 to 90 years old!
What a delight to perform in that historic room. Sally Parrish Southall, who portrayed Emily
Dickinson in the play, brought her own special profound energy to the show and
the space. As we gathered furniture from
all of the rooms in Lynn’s home to the Parlor, we saw the creation of our 19th
century setting appear before our eyes.
Maxim Tumenev, my partner in gardening and theater, helped the vision of
the play come to fruition; and helped carry sofas tables and chairs into the
parlor!
What else can I say about Lynn? Years ago, when Lynn lived in New York I
tried, with no success, to persuade the BESSIE committee to award her a
producer extraordinaire award. At this
point, I feel that Award would not even come close to the level of recognition
that she deserves. Lynn Kable is simply
one of a kind and describing her is a challenge and a joy. She is, without reservation, a fiercely moral
individual, who sings in choirs, holds together a major household in a landmark
home, the mother of three amazing young professional women, and one of the best
event producers worldwide. AGAR is her
vehicle for bringing arts, education, healthcare and related programs to the
lucky audiences of Amherst, Virginia, and beyond. Lynn is fearless, and I am one of the lucky
ones – to be encouraged and supported by her energy and love.
Lynn Kable – this is for you. Bravo! Standing Ovation! Please continue to do what you do. This is my award to you. I offer you devotion and love; for I had the
fortune to have worked side by side with you for 8 years in New York City in
the 1990s; and 18 days in Virginia this November. Lynn- you made it happen and I shall be
forever grateful for the experience.
Looking forward to more!
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