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.
N
ext summer, Hana Sharif will take the helm at The
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis as its new artistic
director. Sharif, who fell in love with storytelling at a
young age, tells Gazelle her taste in theater is eclectic.
“I am drawn to work that reveals something
fundamental about our humanity. I love the ephemeral glimpse at our
vulnerabilities, our dreams, our most elemental truths,” she explained.
“In a musical, the most urgent impulses present themselves through
song. In comedy, somewhere in the belly of our deepest laughter is our
most honest reflection of self. In dramas, it is through the trials of the
characters onstage that we stand open and unguarded to face our own
pain. Through all of these genres, we are able to begin the transformative
work of seeing, honoring and appreciating our own journey.”
Sharif added that she’s looking forward to exploring the city.
“I had the wonderful opportunity to drive from north to south
The Rep’s
new artistic
director,
Hana Sharif
and east to west across St. Louis. I enjoyed watching the shifting
architecture, landscape and energy of the city. I am excited to dive into
the various communities and learn more about the pulse of St. Louis,”
she said.
Sharif currently serves as associate artistic director at Baltimore
Center Stage. She is following in the footsteps of longtime artistic
leader, Steven Woolf, who will be retiring at the end of the 2018-2019
season, following a 30-year tenure. Sharif launched her professional
career at Hartford Stage in 2003. Throughout the years, she has served
in various roles, including as artistic leader, director, playwright and
producer. She’ll officially assume her new role in June 2019.
Save the date: Radio Arts Foundation’s annual wine and jazz
fundraiser takes place Friday, Sept. 14, at the Butterfly House. This
year’s event will feature fine wine and appetizers, gift raffles and live
music from Miss Jubilee, with proceeds benefiting RAFSTL’s mission
to support classical music programming in St. Louis. For more
information, visit rafstl.org/wineandjazz.
The Women’s Foundation of Greater Saint Louis’ signature event,
Making a Difference, will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, at Hilton St.
Louis Frontenac. This year’s honoree is Build-A-Bear’s Maxine Clark.
The event is co-chaired by Maureen McCarthy and Deb Zimmerman.
Gazelle’s Cillah Hall is serving as honorary co-chair, along with June
Fowler and Tessa Trelz. The Women’s Foundation works to advance
economic independence for women and girls in the St. Louis region.
Visit wfstl.org for additional information and event registration.
The Friends of CharacterPlus is holding its 14th annual Fall Party
on Friday, Nov. 16, at Moulin. This year, the party will have a Mexican
fiesta theme, featuring a gourmet street-taco bar and El Chico desserts.
The Friday-before-Thanksgiving fundraiser supports the work of
CharacterPlus, the nation’s longest running and most successful
character education initiative of its kind. In the St. Louis area alone,
CharacterPlus has programs in more than 500 schools. For tickets, call
Claudia McMillin at (314) 692-1215. Gazelle is the event’s media sponsor.
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