Local columnist, John Steward, recently shared his insights on becoming a new volunteer
A New Volunteer’s Perspective on the Garde
By John Steward
I’m a new volunteer usher at the Garde Arts Center and I must say it’s everything I hoped it would be, and more.
It was pure serendipity that first led me to the Garde. My wife Susan intended to volunteer, while I hadn’t given it a thought. I decided I would volunteer simply so I might escort her from the theater when shows ended late in the evening. Then, as soon as we both signed up, it was decided that she would be undergoing foot surgery. With Susan now on hiatus, I began my Garde career without her, and I absolutely loved it! I still cannot believe how close I came to missing this wonderful opportunity.
The Garde has always been a magical place to me, ever since I attended movies there as a child. The exotic Moroccan decor is as intriguing today as it was to my young mind back then. It really can, as old movie palace designs were intended, transport one to far off places.
Now decades later, that aura hasn’t changed a bit, and I love being surrounded by it once more. To be able to represent the Garde as an usher, and play a role in welcoming audiences to this special place, is a true pleasure.
My first day trepidations were immediately relieved when veteran volunteers offered a friendly hand in my inauguration. After House Manager Ronnie McKenzie welcomed me, fellow usher Shawn generously offered to show me the seating system and share his experiences. Then, at the pre-show meeting, Ronnie assigned me to shadow the amiable, longtime volunteer Ed, who would be handling Orchestra Left. Ed’s calm manner and wealth of knowledge put me at ease, and I was off and running.
From the very first couple I escorted to their seats, I knew it would be a joy attending to arriving audiences at the Garde. People are happy to be there in anticipation of an entertaining evening, and I enjoy answering their many questions about the Garde, especially its remarkable and intriguing interior design. We often share conversation and laughs as I guide them down the aisle (as do most of my fellow friendly, outgoing Garde volunteers).
There’s a fascinating sense of communion in the Garde theater as it fills on show night, a lively interaction between patrons, whether they know each other or not. An electricity, the buzz of anticipation, fills the air. Prior to two recent shows I worked — The Machine (Pink Floyd) and Jon Anderson’s Yes — I heard many people sharing their knowledge of classic rock music, past concerts attended, and favorite albums, with patrons at times asking my opinion. There’s a feeling on show night that we’re all in a special place, about to share something unique. No matter where you hail from, for a few precious hours, we all belong to the same fortunate community contained within these beautiful, exotic walls.
And the coup de gras of all this? I get to see the show! Although I’m at the back of the theater, monitoring and assisting patrons on the move in the dark after the show is underway, I can enjoy whatever might be unfolding on the stage, and it is always first class entertainment. I travel a bit, and I regularly attend Florida Studio Theater shows in Sarasota, Florida, so I can attest that New London may be a small city, but the entertainment at the Garde rivals that of any major metropolitan area.
Because of its age, history, and exotic motif, the Garde has a soul — you can feel it — and an evening there is theater in itself, both on and off the stage.
Now when I slip into the maroon vest with its gold name tag, I feel the elegance of the theater as I prepare to immerse myself once again in the arts world of New London, and share the magic of the Garde with hundreds of people.
And, I can’t help but think about the serendipity that led me such a great opportunity.
As I said, it’s everything I hoped it would be, and more. I hope to see you there!