Audiences raise funds for Operation Bootstrap

Theatergoers opened their wallets for Operation Bootstrap in response to the performances of "A Christmas Carol" at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

An invitation by guest artist Robert Spencer to share with the less fortunate prompted audience members to donate a total of $5,681 to the food pantry program after performances of the play.

"This is beyond anybody’s expectations," said Arthur Hopper, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department. "It really ignited the Christmas spirit in the community."

During the play, Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed from a miser who detests Christmas into a generous soul who uses his wealth to help the needy people in his community, including his clerk, Bob Cratchit and Cratchit’s sickly son, Tiny Tim. At the end of each performance, Spencer , who played Scrooge, made a plea on behalf of Operation Bootstrap.

"At this time of year, it is important to remember that we are all part of a community, much like the community on our stage," Spencer said. "At this time of year it is also important to remember that part of our community is not as fortunate as the rest of us, again like some of the characters on our stage. That is why the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol welcome donations to Operation Bootstrap."

Cast members in costume held out their hats in the lobby of the Fine Arts Center to collect the donations.

Roseann De Bot, executive director of Operation Bootstrap, says that many people have come forward to make donations to the cause after the play’s run because they were not prepared to make a donation on the spur of the moment.

"The Christmas Carol really set the mood for us," Debot says.

The charity’s fund drive continues through January and De Bot reports that they are three-fourths of the way to their goal of $80,000.

Donations may be mailed to Operation Bootstrap at 636 Janick Circle, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or dropped off at 5000 Heffron St. in the East Side Industrial Park near Hoover Road.

Many of the ten performances held between Dec. 4 and 13 were to sold out audiences. Hopper believes that the total of 4,000 people who saw the show may be a record for the department.

Spencer’s residency was supported by funds from the Lucille and K.B. Willet Endowment for the Arts. Willett was on the board of Operation Bootstrap and was one of the founding members, along with De Bot, his niece. He also served on the board of the UWSP Foundation before his death in 1994.

Spencer, a core company actor for American Players Theater of Spring Green, says he enjoyed recreating Scrooge in the classic play based on Charles Dickens' short story. Spencer has performed on Broadway, as well as in many regional theaters for the past 45 years.

"This was a remarkable experience for the students in the cast," according to John Shepard, assistant professor of theatre arts, who directed the production. "They had a great opportunity to work with a professional actor."

Willett gave $25,000 to the College of Fine Arts and Communication to establish the Lucille and K.B. Willett Endowment for the Arts in 1993. The gift is used in the College of Fine Arts and Communication for projects to advance the arts. The fund brought another American Players Theater actor, Jonathan Smoots, to UWSP in 1995. Smoots played roles in three plays about Hamlet.

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