Everyone, from the pattern-makers in the costume shop to the prop shop manager to the company's finance director participates, lugging crockpots, casserole dishes and Tupperware to the theater's offices at 158 N. Broadway on the appointed day. The office microwave and toaster oven work double-time to reheat the food as needed. It puts everyone on an equal footing. I love the chance to meet the cast. In recent years, the dinners have taken on a theme, when possible, to match the scheduled production.
Creativity is encouraged.
Bustling to make last-minute preparations before the most recent welcoming dinner, several staff members recalled past themed buffets. People got very creative. That was the dinner for which Jensen made her famous decorated cut-out cookies in the shape of gambling dice. Most of the food for the Nov. 2 dinner followed a more conventional ethnic Thai theme. Curried vegetables with jasmine rice joined coconut chicken soup with lemon grass, pork fried rice and spinach rolls in the company's cozy Skylight Bar on the second floor.