Kitty Getlik, the general manager of Kelsey Theater in West Windsor, received the Community Service Award from the staff at Mercer Community College. Getlik has been employed by Kelsey for 27 years, first as a stage manager, and as the general manager and artistic director for the past 13 years.
With her focus on children’s theater, she established Kelsey Kids Playshops in conjunction with Youth Stages for youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade. “They give children a creative outlet and enable them to gain confidence in front of an audience,” she says.
She also oversees Tomato Patch, Mercer’s visual and performing arts summer camp for grades five to twelve. Last year Getlik was instrumental in offering a summer theater series for pre-school and elementary school children.
Getlik, who knew from the time she was five that she wanted to act, has also been involved in directing, lighting design, and production. She is a member of New Jersey Association of Community Theaters and serves on the advisory board for the Mercer County High School for the Performing Arts.
Over 1,”000 community members participate in Kelsey productions and attendance numbers more than 40,”000. Eight theater companies plus Kelsey Kids Series produce dramas, musicals, comedies, and dance.
“I’m very lucky that MCCC supports the arts the way it does, and allows me to do a job that I love,” says Getlik. “It is gratifying to help people bring their productions to the stage and to fill the Kelsey schedule with worthwhile events. I feel that we have given the community a place that is home to the performing arts.”
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