COMMUNITY & CULTURE
The Trish Set
An award-winning journalist recognized for her media leadership and for promoting diversity, Trish Muyco-Tobin has more
than 20 years of experience in print and broadcasting. She is also a dedicated community volunteer.
D
on’t be surprised to find the next great, new opera here
in St. Louis - that’s the message from Opera Theatre
of Saint Louis’ general director designate Andrew
Jorgensen, whose first day on the job is July 2.
Jorgensen will be working alongside outgoing
general director Tim O’Leary during the 2018 festival season, and
will be present for a number of performances and special events. He
most recently served as interim executive director of the Washington
National Opera at the Kennedy Center.
Jorgensen told Gazelle that his first Opera Theatre experience was
in 2013, as an audience member at the world premiere of “Champion.”
“It was so beautiful and moving, and the music was extraordinary! While
I was here for ‘Champion,’ I also saw two other productions, ‘The Pirates
of Penzance’ and ‘The Kiss.’ I left each performance delighted. It wasn’t just
the excellent performances that were so memorable, it was also the way
that OTSL made me feel included as an audience member,” he said.
He said he is thrilled to be working among the St. Louis arts
community, and can’t wait until he relocates to the area this summer
Andrew
Jorgensen
with his husband, Mark Stuart-Smith, and their Tibetan terrier, Aria.
“I am so impressed by how thoughtful and kind this community
is. Opera Theatre has an amazing base of supporters, including some
who have been with the company since its founding 43 years ago,” he
said. “It’s also a community that embraces what is new and innovative
about opera. It strikes me that within the arts community, St. Louis is an
amazing gateway to what’s up and coming.”
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis has a new executive producer at the
helm: Tom Ridgely, a Drama Desk-nominated director, producer and
educator, assumed the position late last month. In his new role, Ridgely
will be responsible for planning and executing the festival’s programs
and events, as well as developing strategies for new programming. The
festival’s production of “Romeo & Juliet” at Shakespeare Glen in Forest
Park runs through June 24.
If you are looking for a chance to make an exhibition of your golf
game, The Sheldon Art Galleries’ new exhibit, “Golf the Galleries:
Artist-Designed Mini Golf,” gives visitors opportunities for tee time on
the “course.” The interactive art exhibit consists of a nine-hole, family-
friendly mini-golf course featuring holes inspired by the Serengeti,
“Alice in Wonderland,” downtown St. Louis and more. “Golf the
Galleries,” which runs through Aug. 12, kicks off the Sheldon’s summer
2018 exhibition lineup. Admission to view the exhibit is free; tee times
($10 adult, $6 child) are first come, first served. Visit thesheldon.org for
more information.
The Boulevard in Richmond Heights has launched an outdoor
farmers’ market that will feature local produce and products, along with
live music and other entertainment. The market takes place from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m., every first Sunday of every month through September.
The event is a partnership between The Boulevard Farmers Market and
Tower Grove Farmers’ Market.
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
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