- By Dan Veaner
- Entertainment
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Thuesen will be joining a board of about 15 directors from around the state. It is chaired by Neil J. Davidoff, who was formerly a deputy commissioner of the New York Office of General Services. She also serves on the Empire State Art Commission which she says has had some difficulty getting representation from the western part of the state. "Fortunately I had the time to do that," she says. "I was really surprised when they said, 'Would you be on the Egg Board of Directors? It seems to fit more with your actual expertise in theater and dance.'"
Thuesen is a master teacher, choreographer, consultant, and producer who founded and owns Music in Motion®. It was founded in 1966 in Portsmouth, VA. In addition to ten years on the New York State Arts Commission, she is a NYS Director of National Dance Week, a consultant to the NY Foundation for the Arts, a Trustee of SUNY Cortland and the Tompkins County YMCA, and coordinated the Moscow Ballet Nutcracker in Ithaca. She is a past president of the Ithaca Rotary Club. She has taught all levels of dance including a stint on the faculty of the National Ballet in Washington, D. C.
She says she has a lot to learn about The Egg, and there will be a period of adjustment both for her and the board. "I think first of all they're probably going to look me over and see if I know what I'm talking about, and whatever niche I might be able to fit into," she says.
One of the challenges she sees is getting more participation and representation from the western part of the State. She says a lot of people from New York City and the Hudson Valley see shows there, because of easy access by train. She sees her participation as a way this area can be involved. "I hope people will call me and tell me if they have ideas and suggestions that they'd like me to take with me when I go to the meetings," she says. "It brings a little more of the western part of New York State into the process."
She also envisions more integration between programs at The Egg and theaters throughout the state. "I can see where there could be wonderful exchanges back and forth between the western part of the state and Albany," she says. "If something good was done here it could be taken to Albany, or if there was something really new and original done in Albany it could be brought here. We could share it educationally and share it artistically."
Thuesen she is looking forward to the learning process as much as the opportunity to bring her experience and perspective to the board. "I have learned a huge amount on the Empire State Art Commission," she says. "It's been an education for me on the conservation of sculptures and paintings. Early on Rockefeller bought so much of that New York School art, which is really worth a lot of money. It's a huge value for the people of New York State. And Pataki was very caring of it and of the plaza, getting it cleaned up and getting signage made, and supporting it."
She has been officially sworn in, and begins her duties this year. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the center's 4 theaters, finances, presentation of events, and activities.
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