Maria Forte is the Volunteer of the Month for August
Maria has been working steadily with PWLT in five of the last six productions, starting with 110 in the Shade, as Sound Board Operator. Maria shared, "For my day job, I work with the National Park Service in Integrated Resource Management. My job is a learning process with many things to discover day by day. All the plants and animals are amazing in this area. All the historic structures have an interesting history."
PWLT spoke to Maria about why her background in theater.
"My first production was in 1996 with Nunsense. I had just gotten out of the military and was finishing up in college and really, really, really wanted to do theater. I’m not a good singer but they took me anyways for an ensemble supporting cast. I would have continued to work with PWLT community theater, but I moved to Illinois that summer. I returned to the DC area in 2024 and looked for opportunities to work with community theater. I found PWLT and asked if they needed help. My next show with PWLT in 2024 was assisting with running lights for 110 in the Shade. "
What kinds of roles have you taken on shows?
"I have volunteered for light board operator, running crew and an assistant to the assistant stage manager."
What is my favorite thing about working with PWLT?
"I love the huge amount of talent and love that goes into the productions. Cast and crew spend a huge amount of time rehearsing, building, designing and creating a show that only runs for a couple of weekends. We then tear everything down and gear up for the next event, it’s a fleeting moment, live theater. I also get to support the process and in return work with amazing people. The musicians are also amazing are they crew or are they cast? There is nothing like live music for productions."
What do you do in between shows?
"I like my drama on stage! Favorite days off activities include napping and streaming tv programs."
Maria has been working steadily with PWLT in five of the last six productions, starting with 110 in the Shade, as Sound Board Operator. Maria shared, "For my day job, I work with the National Park Service in Integrated Resource Management. My job is a learning process with many things to discover day by day. All the plants and animals are amazing in this area. All the historic structures have an interesting history."
PWLT spoke to Maria about why her background in theater.
"My first production was in 1996 with Nunsense. I had just gotten out of the military and was finishing up in college and really, really, really wanted to do theater. I’m not a good singer but they took me anyways for an ensemble supporting cast. I would have continued to work with PWLT community theater, but I moved to Illinois that summer. I returned to the DC area in 2024 and looked for opportunities to work with community theater. I found PWLT and asked if they needed help. My next show with PWLT in 2024 was assisting with running lights for 110 in the Shade. "
What kinds of roles have you taken on shows?
"I have volunteered for light board operator, running crew and an assistant to the assistant stage manager."
What is my favorite thing about working with PWLT?
"I love the huge amount of talent and love that goes into the productions. Cast and crew spend a huge amount of time rehearsing, building, designing and creating a show that only runs for a couple of weekends. We then tear everything down and gear up for the next event, it’s a fleeting moment, live theater. I also get to support the process and in return work with amazing people. The musicians are also amazing are they crew or are they cast? There is nothing like live music for productions."
What do you do in between shows?
"I like my drama on stage! Favorite days off activities include napping and streaming tv programs."
