She took me into her family and that was very important to me. Perloff's own family roots extend back to Russia and Poland on her father's side. Her mother came to this country from Vienna at the age of 6. It is so deeply a part of one's affinity for things. Not only has the ACT audience increased under Perloff's stewardship, it has diversified.
Surveys indicate that it is now younger and more urban in composition.
The genuine commitment of the audience. Another Bay Area characteristic is the dearth of Jews in prominent professional positions in the arts. Perloff felt rather lonely at the top until Michael Tilson Thomas came to town. It was wonderful. With the first five years nearly behind her, Perloff is not about to rest on her laurels.