A St. Albert volunteer just hung up her vest after 28 years of dedicated service at the Arden Theatre.
What makes Carol Otto’s retirement so memorable is that among the thousands of volunteers that have graced the Arden’s halls, she is the only one that started her service during the theatre’s first season.
“The time has gone by so quickly,” said Otto after attending a Kim Stockwood concert that Arden staff organized in her honour.
Otto, a music degree recipient from the University of Michigan, moved to St. Albert in 1969 when her husband Dave was offered at job at the University of Alberta in institutional research and planning.
At one point Otto — an accomplished music teacher on piano, organ and pipe organ — had a full slate offering music lessons at home, playing in numerous church choirs and singing for the Richard Eaton Singers.
“I volunteered at the Arden because it was a chance to be involved with local theatre. I could see the programs and I was within walking distance,” said the Grandin resident.
In the Arden’s inaugural year, Otto remembers a core of three volunteers. Today, the Arden has a list of 100 volunteers.
“They were trying to figure out what to do with us then,” she recalled.
Otto took charge as an usher and then a house manager’s role. In this capacity she oversaw the shift crew, planned their positions, executed emergency evacuations if necessary and was the general point person.
“It was quite a job, but I got to know people I wouldn’t have known otherwise. If they were willing to come out, I’d put them somewhere,” she says of the many friendships that developed over the years.
When the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival was transferred to St. Albert in 1995, Otto took on a massive duty of co-ordinating all the schedules for all the volunteer crews for all the venues.
Arden operations supervisor Nina Browton reports that in 2010 Otto volunteered 88 man-hours just as a festival volunteer. This did not include her hours keeping the wheels greased at the Arden Theatre.
“She had a strong sense of leadership and knowledge and she was able to transfer it and mentor new volunteers. For the staff, she gave us an increased level of confidence knowing volunteers knew what to do and when. And when issues arose, Carol had the experience to handle it well. Nothing seemed to faze Carol,” Browton said.
In her 28 years as an usher and house manager, Otto had the opportunity to deal with many entertainers and personalities. One memory dearest to her heart is meeting opera icon Maureen Forrester.
“They needed someone who could read music, someone who could turn the pages for her accompanist. That’s the thing I treasured the most,” Otto said, a dreamy smile curling her lips.
She’s planning to fill her days exploring the Internet, reading, babysitting and gardening in the spring.
“I appreciate the chance to do all these things,” she said. “It’s been a fruitful life.”
