PACE Announces Formation of Act Two Guild
Contact:
Cheryl Engstrom, for PACE, 425.487.0682, 
BELLEVUE, WA (June 16, 2008) – The Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) is proud to announce the formation of the Act Two Guild. The new members were introduced to the PACE Board of Directors at the annual meeting held on June 10th at Medina's Overlake Golf and Country Club. This newest Guild of 20 women adds to a growing corps of more than 150 volunteers who have made a commitment to raising community awareness and support for the future 2,000-seat Bellevue-based performing arts center scheduled to open in 2010.
Designed to draw in women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, the Act Two Guild will focus on supporting PACE through outreach activities and fundraising events that utilize their connections in the communities in which they live and work. The Guild will also enhance and complement the work of the Act One Guild, formed in 2003. The Act One Guild has donated more than $750,000 to PACE, a result of proceeds from their annual fall Candlelight Dinner over the past four years. The new Act Two Guild will dedicate their efforts advancing the mission of PACE with an annual spring event that incorporates their unique interests, talents, and approach.
"This is a dynamic group of young women all dedicated to helping to make PACE a reality," says Suzanne Hutchinson, director of guilds for PACE. "They understand the important role the arts play in developing a healthy, vibrant community and are working not only for themselves, but so that all Eastside families will share in the many benefits of PACE for decades to come."
According to Act Two Guild President Theresa Goesling, the membership has already selected their first major fundraising project which is planned for spring 2009. "Each member is very enthusiastic about their involvement with PACE and eager to get underway. We hope to grow from 20 members to around 40 – 45 in the next few months," says Goesling. "With that large number, we can accomplish a lot in a short time." She points out that most of the women in the Guild have experience fundraising for other major events in the region or are active in the leadership of other nonprofit organizations. "These women expect to work hard – they know what they are doing and are dedicated to the success of PACE," she adds.
Officers for the Act Two Guild, in addition to Goesling, who is from Bellevue; are Colleen Clancy-Eastman, vice president from Clyde Hill; Debbie O'Brien, treasurer from Bellevue; and Maureen Pace secretary from Clyde Hill.
Guild members to date are from Kenmore, Michele Abrams; from Issaquah, Debbie Batteiger and Teana Miller; from Clyde Hill, Lauren Bennett and Seeley Springman; from Bellevue, Jo Cameron, Laurie Hooper, Allison Lomax, and Carol Loya; from Sammamish, Cindy Dornon; from Woodinville, Kimberly Hardwick, Kim Moore and Jane Scott; from Mercer Island, Lynn Kloppenburg, from Newcastle, Erin Raney; and from Seattle, Jeanne Tiscareno.
About Performing Arts Center Eastside:
Performing Arts Center Eastside will be a 2,000-seat premier regional center for the performing arts. Its mission is to enrich cultural life with a wide diversity of live entertainment, arts, and education. PACE will stimulate the arts region-wide; attract new audiences; heighten arts awareness and education; provide a performance home for select area arts organizations; and serve as a cultural center for the Eastside. PACE has several opportunities for volunteer involvement that include the Act One Guild, Act Two Guild, Ambassadors For PACE, Voices For PACE, and Parties For PACE Hosts. PACE plans to open in 2010 and it will be located in downtown Bellevue on the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE. The Campaign For PACE has raised $31 million.