O p e r a T h e a t r e S a l u t e s Vo l u n t e e r s M y r n a & A r n i e H e r s h m a n
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hroughout their many years on the Guild Board, the Hershmans’ willingness to pitch in wherever needed has been unflagging. From
offering housing to supporting dress rehearsals to staffing the Boutique, Myrna and Arnie Hershman exude generosity and warmth in everything they do. T hese dedicated Opera Theatre supporters have opened their home to singers since 2006, when they hosted Kate Lindsey and Patrick Carfizzi, who sang Rosina and Doctor Bartolo respectively in The Barber of Seville. Tenor Geoffrey Agpalo recalls staying in their children’s bedroom, surrounded by swimming and gymnastics ribbons and photos. “The rooms are right next to Arnie and Myrna’s office, so they were never more than a few steps away if we needed anything, even if it was just conversation.” Supper, snacks, and soda were always available and the Hershmans were even known to lend singers a car when needed. Agpalo notes, “They let us borrow coffee makers, microwaves, and cookware, and I’m sure they would have offered their washer and dryer if we could fit it into our cars.” The many OTSL artists who have lived with Myrna and Arnie remember fondly the serious, day-long process of baking challah, a traditional braided bread. Creating the perfect loaf usually requires painstaking work by several singers
ARNIE AND MYRNA HERSHMAN AT THE BOUTIQUE (2015). PHOTO © KEN HOWARD
and the dedication of time and patience from Myrna and Arnie. Baritone
Robert Mellon, who has stayed with the Hershmans three times, recalls Myrna’s admonition, “Bobby, you still have egg left there to coat the challah. You have to use it all. Can’t go to waste!” Their hospitality extends beyond the Opera Theatre season, as they continue to stay in contact with and support singers throughout their careers. They have traveled to see OTSL alumni perform at companies across the country, from LA to Des Moines, IA. Mellon recalls Arnie, an avid Cardinals fan, even congratulated the Chicago-based singers when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016. The Hershmans’ support of OTSL extends far beyond housing singers. Long-time members of the Guild Board, they have participated on the hospitality committee for the Opera Volunteers International/OPERA America conference, helped to clean up after “Meet the Cast” picnics, and worked backstage at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Arnie served as Guild Treasurer for several years. For many OTSL patrons, Myrna is a familiar lobby presence during the season, when she co-chairs the dress rehearsal refreshment committee. Both are often found working in the Boutique, and Myrna, the ultimate saleswoman, is frequently draped in merchandise — shawls, hats, necklaces, and more! Their community contributions extend beyond Opera Theatre to the St. Louis Senior Olympics, Life Skills Foundation, and Jewish Community Center. Myrna has worked on the Senior Olympics since its start in 1980, applying her expertise from running children’s swim meets to organizing senior competitions. (She even tried competing once, but decided she was better at running events than at running.) Myrna is currently an elected member of the Board of the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging. The dedication and warmth shown by volunteers such as Myrna and Arnie are key to creating the family atmosphere that encourages performers, production staff, and patrons to return to Opera Theatre year after year for the company’s festival season. TANI WOLFF
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