POSTED ON JUNE 30, 2020 BY LONG
Introducing Orlando Martinez, our Building Engineer and overall jolly presence of the Long Center. Once upon a time, as an Electrical Superintendent for JMEG Electric, Orlando was a major part of the Long Center construction phase and we just couldn’t give him up. Now as Building Engineer, he works with the team to keep our air conditioning, lighting, plumbing and overall mechanics working together.
Orlando is loved by all, especially when it comes to a mechanical question or when he brings breakfast tacos to the office.
But mostly the tacos.
Orlando’s fave truck, his ’66 Chevy
ORLANDO’S PERFECT SALSA RECIPE
Orlando’s tacos are even better when topped off with his famous homemade salsa. Beware – this is not for the faint of heart!
- 5 to 10 green Serrano peppers
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons of Nature’s Seasoning
- 1-quart H-E-B Whole Peeled tomatoes
Put the ingredients into a blender and try not to liquefy too much — Orlando says it’s better chunky!
PICKING UP LUNCH WITH THE TEAM
Being back at work maintaining the building means lunching at a safe distance with the team again. Picking up the Bill Miller’s breakfasts are always a staple, but nothing quite beats the walk from the Long Center to Whataburger or Sandy’s (those burger specials!). And Cherry Creek Seafoods when they feel like a treat.
KEEPING THE LONG CENTER IN WORKING ORDER
The Long Center is a big building and, even when it’s not filled with people, there’s plenty of maintence to be done. Currently, Orlando and team are:
- Installing ceiling fans on the West Pincer Terrace (that’s our upstairs outdoor area) so you can stay cool outside when we’re all back together,
- Taking the Service Yard back from Mother Nature,
- And making sure Dell Hall looks spick-and-span for the future with a fresh coat of paint.
Orlando and wife Gracie on Pablo & Luna, with son Orlando Lee
SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY & PETS
With three grown kids and a wife of 40 years (41 this July 15th!), Orlando spends his free time hanging with his family and pets. His horses, Pablo & Luna, now live with his two grandsons, but their dog Misty is still queen of the yard.
Your support today celebrates the work that Orlando does to keep this Austin icon making memories. Even while our doors are closed, the Long Center is paving the way for the future. Members make it happen!
POSTED ON JUNE 16, 2020 BY LONG
This week’s feature comes to us from Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, the Producing Artistic Director of Pollyanna Theatre Company. Pollyanna is a Long Center Resident Company that serves at-risk elementary school children and their families through educational outreach and performances in the Rollins Studio Theatre. For over 19 seasons, the company has been presenting original plays that speak to the imaginations of children and the child that lives inside each of us.
WHAT JUDY AND THE POLLYANNA TEAM ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
POLLYANNA THEATRE COMPANY
When the pandemic began, I was preparing for two upcoming productions. So much of these last 10 weeks has been spent re-inventing how we serve children through the arts and meet our mission, working with Pollyanna company members to create online resources that parents and teachers can use to bring learning to life at home. One result is a large library of Pollyanna Storytime videos that feature some of our talented actors reading wonderful children’s books.
We have also created Distance Learning activities that feature video of some of our most recent productions. Soon we will be hosting our first virtual, interactive performance for children ages 8-11. THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN TEETH GHOST, which will invite young audience members to take on roles in a Zoom performance and help solve the mystery. We believe it will be a format our patrons will enjoy and will be one way Pollyanna’s amazing team of theatre professionals can remain engaged with our community’s children.
ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE
On a personal level, I, like MANY of my friends and peers, have used this time at home to ORGANIZE! If I can’t direct and produce a play right now, at least I can direct and produce a more productive space for working from home. I’ve found myself turning to Quieting Chaos, a local organizer, for tips on simplifying and decluttering.
DISCOVER YOUR GREEN THUMB
I’ve also found that digging out in the flowerbeds has been a great release for me. I love flowers but have had very little time to dedicate to growing them. This spring has been different in that respect and I have to say that I’ve loved going out into the yard alone, digging in the dirt, removing weeds, and having something beautiful to show for the effort. 28 bags of mulch later, I’ve got a heck of a great yard and a new appreciation for Central Texas Gardner.
COOKING SOME NEW RECIPES
I’ve also been cooking some new things and would be happy to share some recipes if anyone wants to see what’s going on in the Matetzschk-Campbell kitchen. A great resource for food and community is the Sustainable Food Center and if you have kids, don’t miss the online cooking classes at Bake Austin.
It has been a time of looking inward. I’ve learned to be pretty zen about the fact that for the first time in my professional life, I can’t control or “work” my way out of my home office. I have to just settle in, dig deep in many respects, and listen to lots of Pandora radio while I work with my peers across the nation as we try to reinvent theatre for young audiences.
Oh what a night! The Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards, newly re-named the Heller Awards for Young Artists, lit up screens May 31st in an uplifting show of community, togetherness, and celebration. Not only were students, educators, and families from 33 high schools across 6 Central Texas counties able to gather in their own homes to enjoy the show virtually, but we also honored the generosity & dedication of Mary Ann and Andrew Heller with one stellar production unlike any other.
So, from Broadway messages of support to school highlights to musical numbers we won’t soon forget, here are our 2020 Award Recipients!
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO…
The Mary Ann Award for BEST DIRECTION goes to…
DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL with Anything Goes
The Mary Ann Award for BEST CHOREOGRAPHY goes to…
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL with Legally Blonde The Musical
The Mary Ann Award for BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION goes to…
ROUSE HIGH SCHOOL with Les Misérables (School Edition)
The Mary Ann Award for BEST ORCHESTRA goes to…
MCCALLUM FINE ARTS ACADEMY with Grand Hotel
The Mary Ann Award for BEST SCENIC DESIGN goes to…
MCCALLUM FINE ARTS ACADEMY with Grand Hotel
The Mary Ann Award for BEST LIGHTING DESIGN goes to…
DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL with Anything Goes
The Mary Ann Award for BEST COSTUME DESIGN goes to…
VISTA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL with Disney’s The Little Mermaid
The Mary Ann Award for BEST TECHNICAL EXECUTION goes to…
MARBLE FALLS HIGH SCHOOL with Tuck Everlasting
The Mary Ann Award for BEST ENSEMBLE goes to…
ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL with Tarzan
The STUDENT DESIGN AWARD goes to… it’s a tie!
SOFIA HUSTON – Backdrop Designer and Assistant Hair & Makeup Designer, Spring Awakening at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
ELIZABETH CLARK – Costume Designer and Costume Crew Head, The Little Mermaid at Vista Ridge High School
The Mary Ann Award for BEST FEATURED PERFORMER goes to…
ISAIAH CHOICE as Pilot / Dance Captain / Gull / Chef 1 in Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Weiss High School
The Mary Ann Award for BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE goes to…
TOSHAAN ARORA as Otto Kringelein in Grand Hotel at McCallum Fine Arts Academy
The Mary Ann Award for BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE goes to…
MAYA ALBERT as Flounder in The Little Mermaid at Weiss High School
The Mary Ann Award for BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE goes to…
EVAN VINES as The D’Ysquith Family in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Cedar Park High School
The Mary Ann Award for BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE goes to…
KATIE HABERMAN as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at Dripping Springs High School
…and the Mary Ann Award for BEST PRODUCTION goes to…
CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL with Legally Blonde The Musical
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Chloe Matyis from Crockett High School
Claire Cheney from McNeil High School
Morgan Francis from Vista Ridge High School
William Ingram from Rouse High School
Austin Taylor from Stony Point High School
Emma Vaughn from Cedar Park High School
Isaiah Choice from Weiss High School
Renae Walker-Zamora from Vista Ridge High School
Ermarie Quinton from Hendrickson High School
Sadie Dickerson from Cedar Ridge High School
PROGRAM GRANT RECIPIENTS
NYOS Charter School
Del Valle High School
Lehman High Shcool
Lago Vista High School
David Crockett High School
TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Long Center’s College Audition Program
Erica Cortina from Weiss High School
Texas Arts Project – On TAP
Christian Brown from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
Zach Pre-Professional Company
Helena Laing from McCallum Fine Arts Academy
McKenlee Wilson from Weiss High School
Congrats to everyone on another amazing year of high school musical theatre!
