BRAVO! Volunteers in Support of the Theatre at RVCC contribute to many aspects of the theatre.  The most visible is the Usher Corps; however, volunteers also help with bulk mailings, special events planning, girl scout training, talent hospitality, and birthday parties.  They decorate the theatre at holiday time, wear costumes on opening night, usher in thousands of school children when they arrive by the busload for our School-Time Performances series and generally have a good time whenever they get together. They give their time and energy all for the goal of benefiting the Theatre, the college and the arts in our community. BRAVO! has grown from four dedicated individuals in 1997 to over 70 active volunteers in 2010-2011. 

To kick off each season, Bravo members get together for their annual party.  The party, organized by Theatre Manager Cindy Alexander,  is when our Volunteer of the Year is awarded. This year Maureen Merrill, was named our most esteemed volunteer. Cindy  presented Maureen with a plaque on behalf of RVCC President Casey Crabill.  Everyone agreed it couldn't have gone to a nicer person or more dedicated volunteer.

Maureen grew up in North Jersey and went to school and worked in Boston until she moved back to NJ in 1989. She has been living in Hillsborough since then with a varying number of cats over the years. She currently has 2; Trixie and Brother Chaps who came to her house a year ago as rescues. Maureen is a certified Master Gardener in Middlesex County and enjoys working in her own garden. She also skis and has skied in five European countries, Canada and at least 12 states. She has a very active lifestyle which in addition to volunteering at RVCC, she plays golf, reads, swims and goes to other theaters. Her significant other, Carl, lives in South Carolina and they get together as often as they can. Maureen has worked for Johnson and Johnson for 27 years and currently works for Ortho Clinical Diagnostics as an Implementation Manger.

Volunteering at the Theatre is a rewarding and socially engaging way to give back to the community. Sound like fun to you?  Join BRAVO!  Call Cindy at 908.526.1200 x 8801.

photos by Carmella Vowinkel