From sewing to painting to typing and all the way around to serving on the Board of Directors, the Arts Center of the Ozarks runs on volunteers.

“Our volunteers help us tremendously during each and every production,” said Robbie Elliott, current president of the Friends of the ACO. “And there is a great deal of satisfaction for each person that had a part in it, even the ushers.” In fact, she said, “they are the fi rst people that the public sees when they come in. They are ACO ambassadors.”

Like many people, Elliott was drawn to the Arts Center of the Ozarks because she loved to perform. But seeing a summer musical- back when they were still presented outdoors - made her “really want to get involved.”

Now, she said, “I love to watch the faces of the people who come in to the ACO, especially when it is their very fi rst time.”

Lynn Donald Carver, who has been on the Board of Directors since the mid-1980s, said volunteers get more than they give.

“It gives you a whole different perspective on the performing arts - a sense of excitement,” she says. “The other part of it is the social aspect. It’s community theater, so you see people you know, people around town, everybody having a good time and enjoying their friends and neighbors.

“I think everyone who volunteers has a real sense of community, a desire to be more deeply involved and to give back,” Carver added. “ The people I’ve been around all like to feel like what they’re doing matters.”

Getting involved with the Arts Center of the Ozarks is easy, according to Kathi Blundell, ACO administrative director. “Just make a New Year’s resolution to come to the next Friends of the ACO potluck - held at 6:30 p.m. the third Monday or every month. Or show upat auditions and offer to lend a hand.”

“People can volunteer to help usher for plays and Serendipity events, run the concessions, run lights, run props, sew costumes, help put together sets, paint, help to put up art exhibits,” Elliott enumerated. “Or help with diff erent types of office work - stuft ng programs, labeling Callboards and postcards.”

“It takes a village to put on each and every production.”

Life, Pages 6 on 01/08/2014