ATC IN YOUR COMMUNITY

An Unbeatable Team

Elizabeth B. Cochran, Dr. Mary Jo Ghory and Robert & Mary Wolk have been wonderful friends and invaluable supporters of Arizona Theatre Company.  In the past several years, they have teamed up to underwrite the ATC productions of Tuesdays with Morrie, Jitney and To Kill a Mockingbird.  In addition, Dr. Ghory has underwritten Permanent Collection and Othello, and Ms. Cochran and the Wolks have underwritten The Immigrant.   Sandra Um, ATC’s Associate Director of Individual Giving is pleased to introduce these extraordinary members of the ATC family to you.

ATC:  You are all such an important part of our community.  What brought you to Tucson?

Elizabeth: I was born and raised in Connecticut; however, my husband John and I were living in California right before moving to Tucson.  My daughter was doing her pediatric residency in Tucson at the University of Arizona, and I soon found myself to be a frequent visitor and immediately loved Tucson.  In 1995, my husband and I had enough of California and decided to live closer to our daughter.

Mary Jo: The American Pediatrician Surgical Association administered the Pediatric Surgery Certification Examination during a conference in Tucson.  I decided to spend two weeks with a friend in Tucson ahead of time to study.  I fell in love with the area and moved here in 1988.

Robert and Mary: Mary came to Tucson in 1981 to do her pediatric residency at the University of Arizona.  Robert came to Tucson from the University of Michigan to run a special program, a nutrition program for crucially ill patients.  Robert has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  We also find time to fulfill our creative talent with drawing, creating mosaics and sewing.

ATC: You have each accomplished a lot in your careers and personal endeavors.  Tell us about your lives, past and present.

Elizabeth: I was a history major at a small women’s college in Connecticut where I inspired to be a teacher of History and English.  At present, I volunteer at Tucson Medical Center in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Mary Jo: I have recently retired from my work as a pediatric surgeon.  Now I work part- time as a Medical Director at the Children’s Clinic, a multi-disciplinary treatment center for children with special needs.  In my spare time, I play the piano, preparing to give recitals twice a year, and get involved in many community volunteer activities.

ATC: How did you get involved with ATC?

Elizabeth: Growing up in Connecticut also meant attending many theatre productions.  Connecticut is known as the “try-out town for Broadway.”  I felt very fortunate to have seen first run productions and their many revisions!  Every year, I spend several weeks in Ashland, seeing many outstanding productions.   I became involved with ATC when several friends, Mary Jo Ghory and Linda Pettey Weed encouraged me to learn about the theatre.

Mary Jo: When I came to Tucson, I immediately investigated the cultural scene, especially ATC.  When I met more staff from ATC during an ATC- sponsored trip to Ashland, I decided I would like to become a consistent production underwriter.  I find supporting the theatre to be rewarding and educational. I love the opportunity to attend behind the scenes events for donors, to sit in the theatre production booth during a performance, and to get to know the actors more on a personal level.

Robert and Mary: Mary had purchased season tickets with friends and enjoyed many productions at ATC.  It was not until Mary Jo Ghory invited us to be underwriters with her. 

ATC: Who or what inspires you and helped plant the seed for your philanthropic work – specifically for Arizona Theatre Company

Elizabeth: I have always understood the need of philanthropy. I feel very fortunate to be able to give and hope that it will allow others to experience the theatre as I have.  Volunteering has continued to be a trend for me in each community I called home.  When the San Jose Museum of Art was built, I helped create a much-needed docent program to help with education.

Mary Jo: My parents have always been involved with the arts and giving.  My mother was part of almost every cultural group in Cincinnati, and she taught me that volunteering was important.  Both of my parents encouraged all of the children to be well-rounded people by participating in the arts.

Robert and Mary: We have always believed in philanthropy.  We feel fortunate to be able to give back to the community and help ATC continue bring high-quality productions to life.

ATC:  What would you like to see for the arts community in Tucson; specifically ATC?

Elizabeth: I would like to see ATC continue to challenge theatregoers and make each experience memorable.

Mary Jo: I would like to see ATC continue to flourish for many years to come.  In order to do that, I hope to see an endowment established that will ensure the future of the theatre, so that ATC will continue to provide the community with high quality productions.

Robert and Mary: We find that the younger generation is missing the experience of attending live theatre.  We would like ATC to continue their education programs and bring family-oriented programming to ensure the continuation of the theatre.

ATC:  What has been a favorite moment of yours at ATC?

Elizabeth: August Wilson’s plays.

Mary Jo: I cannot identify one favorite moment.  Each production is its own minor miracle and watching that unfold time after time is always fascinating.

Robert and Mary: There are many favorite moments, however what we enjoy most is being able to attend a quality production of ATC, have an in-depth discussion with friends about the production as well as think about it for many days on end.