Tennessee Williams Festival Boosted by Record Amount Raised at Annual Society Pool Party
by Grayling Holmes / pool party photos and videos by Grayling Holmes / rehearsal photos by Suzy Gorman
On a sultry 97 degree July day, patrons of the theater arts gathered at the lush mansion of Ken Jenkins and Sam Zelch in the Central West End to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. Dubbed the “Brunch with Blanche” 4th Annual Pool Party, the fundraiser raked in a record amount to support the enduring cultural institution.
For a decade now, the festival has depended on “the kindness of strangers,” whether that be from those who bought a ticket to a performance, or those who chose to make a tax deductible donation to the 501(c)(3) non-profit theater group, it has been strangers who later became friends who have sustained it.
The famous line “I like to depend on the kindness of strangers is from Tennessee’s most famous play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” specifically spoken by the character Blanche DuBois. Those who were once strangers to the works of the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and “adopted son” of St. Louis are strangers no more to his works thanks to TWSTL.
Purchase tickets for the August 7-17th festival at twstl.org/tickets.
St. Louisans have shown their kindness by flocking to TWSTL for 10 solid years now and continue to support the festival. Because of fundraisers like the annual pool party, generous grants, and private donations, the festival remains strong.
Next week, the festival begins on Thursday, August 7th and runs through Sunday, August 17th. We trust that you, dear reader, will not make yourself a stranger, and will attend. After all, Blanche and the “Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Streetcar & Beyond 10th Anniversary Season” depend on your kindness.
Please join them in the celebration. If perhaps you cannot, please donate generously to the storied theater organization at twstl.org/donate so that the words of Tennessee that have pierced the hearts of so many with understanding and kindness can continue into the next decade and beyond.
Tennessee Williams St. Louis Executive Artistic Director Carrie Houk. / photo by Suzy Gorman
The Cast
The Rehearsals
Beth Bartley, Blanche, left; Isa Verne, Stella, right. / Photo by Suzy Gorman
Isaiah DiLorenzo, Steve, Michael James Reed, Director, center, Beth Bartley, right, Blanche. / Photo by Suzy Gorman
Todd D’Amour, Stanley / Photo by Suzy Gorman
Isa Venere, Stella. / Photo by Suzy Gorman
Todd D’Amour, Stanley / Photo by Suzy Gorman
Todd D’Amour, Stanley, center, Isa Verne, Stella, left, Beth Bartley, right, Blanche. / photo by Suzy Gorman
Todd D’Amour, Stanley, Beth Bartley, Blanche. / Photo by Suzy Gorman
