Janet
Arnold
Recipient of the
YWCA's
2001 Tribute to Women Award
Category: Creative Artist
Ten outstanding women in Maricopa County were named honorees in the YWCA’s Tribute to Women 2001 Awards. The annual awards recognize women whose lives and accomplishments reflect the YWCA’s mission to empower women and eliminate racism.
In the category of Creative Artist, the honoree is Janet Arnold. Janet Arnold is Founder and Producing Director of the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (AJTC). Originally a small community theater that produced works reflecting the Jewish experience, Janet developed AJTC into a professional company which was a resident company at the Herberger Theater for seven years. Prior to her work with AJTC, Janet taught English at Glendale High School. As a teacher, she encouraged her students—many from lower middle class homes—to appreciate the power of communication. When she "retired" from teaching to raise her children, Janet became involved in a number of women’s organizations including Women’s American ORT, an international Jewish women’s group which promotes vocational education throughout the world. Janet’s involvement in the community led her to the Phoenix Jewish Community Center, and later, to an appointment on Governor Babbitt’s Council on Children, Youth and Families. It was at this time that Janet began performing on stage at community theatres. Janet’s love of the theatre was the catalyst that turned her concept of founding a Jewish theater into reality. She envisioned a theater company that would focus on Jewish themes, while still attracting a wide, culturally diverse audience—and she was right. The AJTC sold out before it opened its doors. Now in its 13th year, AJTC is a source of pride for the Jewish community and a resource for education and enlightenment for the general community. Janet expanded the company after only one year to include a children’s educational component, offering summer theatre camps, after-school classes and winter break workshops for children of all religious backgrounds in the Valley. She also ensures that AJTC productions focus on a wide range of thought-provoking themes—from the Jewish occult and family relationships to Jewish traditions, interfaith relationships and the Holocaust. Through Janet’s leadership, AJTC has established a proud and diverse tradition backstage as well, employing actors, designers and technicians with a rich variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Janet is a Phoenix resident.
Back
to YWCA's 2001 Tribute to Women
All information was provided by
The
Kur Carr Group, Inc., 815 N. First Ave., Suite 3E, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. Tel:
(602)253-5838.
|
|
