Behind the CUrtain with Lori and Peter at the Quick
If you've ever seen a show at the Quick Center for the Arts, or visited their breathtaking gallery, you understand the magic that flows through the air while you take in every performance. So let's meet two of the people that work tirelessly with their team to inspire connection via the arts, music and culture.
Peter Van Heerden and Lori Jones with Quick Center commissioned artists, Movement Art Is, featuring Jon Boogz and Lil Buck.
This is Peter
As a kid, what were you passionate about?
The ocean, being a fish and running around as Tarzan with a kitchen spatula tucked into my red speedo. Rugby.
Has your career always been connected to the Arts?
I have always had a passion and commitment to creating community, and believe that the arts play a major role in fostering and creating community.
What is it about putting on a production or show that excites you the most?
The lights go down. There is silent anticipation. The curtain opens. We are all transported in our own worlds through a live experience that makes us cry, laugh and changes the world for those fleeting moments. The lights come up. We join as community to applaud. What could be more powerful and beautiful than sharing in the live experience – it is amazing.
What has been your favorite show or most memorable experience so far at The Quick?
There have been so many. The power and pleasure of seeing a production somewhere in the world, and walking out knowing this needs to be seen by everyone – and then maybe a year later sitting in the Quick watching Patrons enjoy that show and share in the power of the artistic experience, that is memorable, that is powerful, that is when you pinch yourself and say wow this is my job. Seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the first time at the Quick, I cried for my homeland with joy and wonder.
What do you do for fun?
Surf, Ski, Travel enjoy my family, work at the Quick!
This is Lori
As a kid, what were you passionate about?
I loved watching Debbie Allen as a kid which made me love dance and my dad was very involved in music so I was able to access operas, orchestras, high school musicals, and lots in between for which I’m very thankful. I also just loved entertaining my siblings. I made up games and songs and just did whatever I could to ensure we were always having fun. We had to use our imaginations and I think that has always impacted my work – I can’t help but want to problem solve and help others. And if you can have fun while you’re doing it…seems like a real win-win!
Has your career always been connected to the Arts?
Interestingly I thought I was going to go into hospitality or hotel management but luckily in high school I figured out that I could work in the arts without having to be on stage and from that moment on I’ve been dedicated to the arts field, and in particular, presenting. When I went to college I interned everywhere that would have me and really focused my studies to best serve my interests in working with artists and serving my community. From programming to marketing, and fundraising to interning in a festival box office, I’ve worked in many different aspects of the field and enjoy sharing that passion with others.
What is it about putting on a production or show that excites you the most?
It’s rare that I get to experience this when running an event, but I love the moment just before the show starts when the whole space goes dark and you feel the energy of the audience and the artists. The whole space shifts because you disconnect with the outside world and just take in what’s in front of you. It forces you to be very present. And in that moment, the artist and audience come together – it’s one experience that can’t be replaced.
What has been your favorite show or most memorable experience so far at The Quick?
I have a very difficult time picking favorites as I could easily list a wild or fun memory for all of our shows but I can list some performances that sparked something new for me or our audience – I loved presenting The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik, Deep Sea Explorer by The Last Great Hunt as it’s one of the loveliest puppetry works, and I loved presenting Ultima Vez in In Spite of Wishing and Wanting. I was really proud of our work with violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and his outdoor performance work with the Regional School for the Arts and when we had dance company, Bandaloop, literally dancing on the side of the science building on campus. And I’ve been really honored to have so many award-winning musicians on our stage including Patty Griffin, Sara Watkins, Anaïs Mitchell, Taj Mahal, Mark O’Connor, Habib Koite, Idan Raichel, Jazzmeia Horn, DJ Reborn, Pérez, Brian Blade and his whole family with the Hallelujah Project (which included Daniel Lanois and Norah Jones made a surprise appearance!), and I could easily keep going. I guess what I would really offer in return is – what memories are folks missing out on by not coming to see things at the Quick?!
What do you do for fun?
Well it might feel like a cheat to say that I love catching live music (my new favorite venues are Westville Music Bowl and Park City Music Hall) but I also love going out for a meal to try new places or visit old favorites, trying new recipes, knitting, and just hanging out with friends on a beautiful day. There is so much to see and do in Connecticut and New England and I am more than happy to visit different places and squeeze in a few summer lobster rolls as a North Carolina-transplant.