They are the wizards, the people who make things happen on stages and in nightclubs, concert halls, and other performance spaces. They’re seldom in the spotlight themselves. But they bring their eye, ear, baton, management skills, and sometimes checkbook to venues all over town.
James and Esthy Adler
Philanthropists
The Adlers have sponsored productions at such theaters as Arena Stage, Round House, and Theater J.
Sylvia Alimena
Music director, Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, Friday Morning Music Club Orchestra, and McLean Orchestra
The busy conductor is also a French-horn player with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Fabian Barnes
Founder and artistic director, Dance Institute of Washington and Washington Reflections
The former Dance Theatre of Harlem soloist has helped give hundreds of DC children a chance to dance.
Ysaye Barnwell
President, Sweet Honey in the Rock
Founder Bernice Johnson Reagon left Washington’s signature a cappella group in singer Barnwell’s able hands.
Calvin Cafritz
Chair of the board, Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
The Cafritz Foundation is a major funder of arts organizations.
Karma Camp
Choreographer
Many major musicals and opera productions have the stamp of Camp.
Mary Cliff
Host, WAMU’s Traditions
The host of the area’s longest-running radio show devoted to folk music, Cliff is a goddess to folk fans.
Anne Corbett
Executive director, Cultural Development Corporation
Flashpoint, a DC gallery and performance space for emerging theater groups, artists, and performers, is a Corbett creation.
Melvin Deal
Founder, African Heritage Dancers & Drummers and African Heritage Dance Center
Deal is the granddaddy of African dance in the region.
Plácido Domingo
General director, Washington National Opera
With Domingo at the helm, the WNO has attracted world-class talent and world-class benefactors.
J. Freedom du Lac
Pop-music critic, Washington Post
Rock fans follow his blog as well as his reviews in the Post.
Yvonne Edwards
Cofounder, Knock on Wood Tap Studio
Known as Washington’s “tap lady,” Edwards has taught and nurtured tappers for 61 years.
Paul Gordon Emerson
Artistic director and cofounder, CityDance Ensemble
In addition to teaching, choreographing, and directing his contemporary-dance company, Emerson runs one of the area’s leading educational-outreach programs.
Susie Farr
Executive director, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland
Farr has a beautiful complex with theaters for intimate performances as well as grand concerts to showcase the university’s acclaimed music school and other talent.
Charles Fishman
Executive director, Duke Ellington Jazz Festival
Dizzie Gillespie’s former manager is determined to make DC a jazz mecca and to honor its famous native son Duke Ellington.
Scott Fortier
Founding artistic director, Catalyst Theater Company
Fortier produces daring new works that make the big boys sit up and take notice.
Janet Alexander Griffin
Artistic producer, Folger Theatre
Griffin has a knack for finding what’s new in what’s old, whether it’s manuscripts, music, or plays.
Sidney Harman
Chair, Harman International Industries
Harman is the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s $19.5-million angel.
Luis Haza
Music director, American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras
The longtime conductor, a violinist with the NSO, has led many orchestras and arts organizations in the area.
Seth Hurwitz
Owner, 9:30 Club
Hurwitz, with sidekick Lisa White, attracts top talent and gives up-and-comers a start at one of the hottest live-music venues in town.
Bob Israel
Jazz promoter
The longtime booker for Blues Alley also leads jazz bands and plays brilliant trombone.
Allyson Jaffe
Manager and co-owner, DC Improv
Booking acts for her club and for other large events, Jaffe is at the center of the comedy scene.
Mike Jaworek
Manager, Birchmere and Iota Club & Café
Jaworek covers the musical waterfront. If folk, blues, and roots artists are in town, they’re playing at the Birchmere.
Terrence Jones
President and CEO, Wolf Trap Foundation
Jones is committed to new works and to enhancing the reputation of the only national park devoted to the performing arts.
Ernie Joselovitz
Founder, Playwright’s Forum
Joselovitz is father figure, fundraiser, and head cheerleader for the forum, which offers classes as well as information on playwriting opportunities.
Michael Kahn
Artistic director, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Kahn stages productions at two theaters and is expanding the company’s repertoire far beyond the Bard.
Michael Kaiser
President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Kaiser has wrangled money from a tightfisted Congress to upgrade his aging building. He loves dance, and the center’s dance programs have never been stronger.
Jon Kalbfleisch
Musical director, Signature Theatre
Jon K. is Washington’s music man. He’s had 18 Helen Hayes Award nominations and won four, and he has guest-conducted the area’s symphony orchestras.
Norma Kaplan
Division chief, Arlington County Cultural Affairs Division
Arlington County is the best local-government incubator for the performing arts, and Kaplan is the mother hen.
James Kimsey
Founding CEO and chair emeritus, AOL
The billionaire has donated millions to the Kennedy Center. He’s chair of the Washington National Opera and on the executive committee of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Robert and Arlene Kogod
Philanthropists
The Kogods are major donors to several theaters including the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland.
Jane Lang and Paul Sprenger
Founders, Atlas Performing Arts Center
Their H Street, Northeast, venue gives emerging artists a place to shine.
Liz Lerman
Founding artistic director, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange
Lerman has been heralded all over the world for having knocked down barriers of age and size for dancers.
J. Reilly Lewis
Founder and music director, Washington Bach Consort
Lewis not only directs the Bach Consort, one of the best chamber groups in the area; he’s also a master keyboardist and music director of the Cathedral Choral Society.
Peter Marks
Theater critic, Washington Post
His review is the first to be read after opening night, and his raves drive ticket sales.
