The Hancher Guild
Members of the Hancher Guild contribute time, energy and ideas to support the auditorium in a variety of key ways. Recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Award in 2002 for service to the State of Iowa, the Hancher Guild is comprised of excellent advocates for Hancher.

Being a member of the Guild involves as much—if not more—fun as it does work, as volunteers make new friends and experience the arts from a new, more participatory point of view. Every gathering of the Guild is an opportunity to celebrate the friendships that fortify the Hancher family! Consider this your invitation to the party!

Making artists welcome
Hancher enjoys warm relationships with many artists due in no small part to the gracious hospitality provided by Guild members. Wonderful food and good conversation welcome Hancher artists at Guild parties after performances, ensuring that performers enjoy an inviting and memorable experience wholly unlike what they generally encounter in their travels. This level of personal interaction and connection is a direct result of the open-heartedness of Guild members.

Serving Hancher’s youngest audience members
Guild members interact with some of Hancher’s most fresh-faced audiences as volunteers for Stage Door performances. These one-hour events for school children introduce young people to the world’s greatest artists and are at the heart of the auditorium’s educational programs. As volunteers in the lobby, Guild members help direct a flood of energy and excitement into the hall for these magical performances.

The power behind the party
Whether it’s a pre-performance picnic or a post-performance party in the lobby, the Hancher Guild provides the people power necessary to pull off Hancher’s biggest celebrations. The 30th anniversary Gala, the picnics prior to events connected to Spot—The Hancher Family Arts Adventure, the Cinderella Ball…none of these hugely successful events (and many others like them) would have been possible without the exceptional efforts of Guild members.

The Showcase
The Hancher Guild’s most visible venture is the operation of The Showcase, a unique gift shop in the Hancher lobby. All merchandise is selected by Guild volunteers and is generally unavailable at other area stores. Guild volunteers make up the staff of The Showcase which is open to audience members before and after performances and during intermission. The Showcase is also open to the general public on Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm during the academic year.

All proceeds from sales at The Showcase benefit Hancher’s educational programming. Following the 2004-2005 season, the Guild was able to contribute $35,000 for these essential activities that bring the arts to life for a wide array of audiences. Cumulatively, the Guild has donated an impressive and much appreciated $185,000 via operation of The Showcase.

Join the Guild
The Hancher Guild is always looking for volunteers who are excited about Hancher and the performing arts. With a full slate of activities, there’s bound to be something just right for your talents, interests and available time.

For information about joining the Hancher Guild, call 335-1130 or write to hancher-guild@uiowa.edu.

 

 

© 2006. University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

Read Miriam Canter's articles about the Guild's
"Unsung Heroes."

Jean Hood
Dick Johns
Dianna Penny