Tom Spellman is the PWLT Volunteer of the Month for December
Tom reached out to PWLT, as many of our great volunteers do, through our website asking how he could get involved with PWLT. He dipped his toe in the water by volunteering to sell concessions with us for The Woman in Black. Since then, he has jumped in the deep end taking a major role in set construction. Bob Thompson, director of It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, had this to say: "He helped paint our set (3 days in the cold), helped load the truck, he was there all day at load-in and if it wasn't for his energy and building skills the set would not have made it. He did everything and above to get the bones of the set together, helped wire it, he hung the heavy station sign with a brace on the back side. He brought in a rug for the set and has been there very night tech week, doing finishing touches, asking what he could do, sweeping the stage and single-handedly cleared all the load-in mess from the sides off the audience to the back."
That kind of dedication makes Tom our Volunteer of the Month. PWLT sat down with Tom to get a little more background.
Why did you decide to first become involved with PWLT?
"I wanted to be part of bringing the magic of live theater to Manassas and the surrounding communities."
Please describe your involvement with it’s a wonderful life.
"I helped build the set for the show"
How did you find the welcome at PWLT for a newcomer?
"Very welcoming. It’s inspiring to be part of this team; their creativity, passion and camaraderie are energizing"
What was your experience in the arts prior to working with us?
"Long-time fan, but minimal production experience. I helped with props and set building for a couple of shows at Little Theater of Alexandria"
What do you do when you’re not building scenery for PWLT?
"I work for the U.S. Air Force, currently assigned at the Pentagon as a Strategic Engagement Specialist"
Anything else you would like our readers to know about you?
"Recently moved to Manassas with my wife, Brynda, our children and Bram, our Great Dane."
Tom reached out to PWLT, as many of our great volunteers do, through our website asking how he could get involved with PWLT. He dipped his toe in the water by volunteering to sell concessions with us for The Woman in Black. Since then, he has jumped in the deep end taking a major role in set construction. Bob Thompson, director of It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, had this to say: "He helped paint our set (3 days in the cold), helped load the truck, he was there all day at load-in and if it wasn't for his energy and building skills the set would not have made it. He did everything and above to get the bones of the set together, helped wire it, he hung the heavy station sign with a brace on the back side. He brought in a rug for the set and has been there very night tech week, doing finishing touches, asking what he could do, sweeping the stage and single-handedly cleared all the load-in mess from the sides off the audience to the back."
That kind of dedication makes Tom our Volunteer of the Month. PWLT sat down with Tom to get a little more background.
Why did you decide to first become involved with PWLT?
"I wanted to be part of bringing the magic of live theater to Manassas and the surrounding communities."
Please describe your involvement with it’s a wonderful life.
"I helped build the set for the show"
How did you find the welcome at PWLT for a newcomer?
"Very welcoming. It’s inspiring to be part of this team; their creativity, passion and camaraderie are energizing"
What was your experience in the arts prior to working with us?
"Long-time fan, but minimal production experience. I helped with props and set building for a couple of shows at Little Theater of Alexandria"
What do you do when you’re not building scenery for PWLT?
"I work for the U.S. Air Force, currently assigned at the Pentagon as a Strategic Engagement Specialist"
Anything else you would like our readers to know about you?
"Recently moved to Manassas with my wife, Brynda, our children and Bram, our Great Dane."
