Times Observer photos by Brian Ferry Above, Juliet Hornburg (center) is surrounded by members of the Struthers Library Theatre Board of Trustees (from left) President Susan Stout, Secretary Robert Crowley, and Shawn Walker.
Written by Susan Stout (she/her) and Bob Crowley (he/him)
A life-long interest in the performing arts, starting with her own participation in dance, as a student and teacher, compelled Juliet Mason Hornburg to give generously to Struthers Library Theatre.
When Juliet Mason Hornburg was a little girl in tiny Ellington, New York her mom introduced her to dance classes at an early age of 4 or 5 – the beginning of her love affair with the arts. She rode the bus 50 miles each way to Olean, NY to take dance lessons. When Juliet was 12, she made her first trip to New York City to see the Rockettes and also Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight!
Later, while still a sophomore in high school, she began her career as a dance instructor. Immediately after her evening classes, Juliet would continue her dance studies with the studio’s principal dance teacher, Cybil McKay. Taking the last bus home enabled her to crawl into bed by 11 pm. After she graduated, Juliet danced professionally for a period of time. Marrying young, Juliet and and her first husband, a builder, had five children. She grew up in the building business and worked as a partner in managing Ellington Hardwood Lumber for 33 years - learning the value of hard work. Juliet has great interest in acknowledging and rewarding those who are talented and dedicated in what they do.
Juliet became a strong supporter of the Struthers Library Theatre in 2015 when she made the lead gift. She gave yet another gift to close the fundraising of the 135th Anniversary Capital Campaign. Now her primary focus for the Legacy Circle gift is to provide ongoing support for the staff. Juliet said, “The Theatre has come a long way and it is imperative to provide support in perpetuity for basic salaries and operating costs to retain, reward, and appreciate good staff. This “gem” is the hub of our rural community and has achieved the most prestigious award from the League of Historic American Theatres—Theatre of the Year in 2018. So far the Theatre has been managed successfully, but we can’t allow it to just get by hand-to-mouth.”
Juliet Hornburg holding the League of Historic American Theaters 2018 Outstanding Theater award and her family (clockwise from left) Nathan Mason, Camy Mason, Britni Brundidge, Ann Mason, and Barry Mason.
When asked about some of the most memorable performances she’s appreciated at the Theatre, Juliet said she loved the children’s dance shows such as DeSales University presentations and the Molly Dies Dance Express Christmas Spectacular. This brought back childhood memories of when she was a dancer, and the first time she saw the Rockettes in New York
Board Chair Susan Stout said, “Juliet’s gift is a tremendous affirmation of her philanthropy, and is perfectly aligned with the Theatre’s mission-driven long-term strategic goal to build the endowment so that generations who follow us will continue to be enriched, entertained, and educated in all the qualities and delights of live theatre, music, dance, and film. We are grateful that Juliet’s love of the arts makes her a true partner in helping us dream about our future.”
Would you like to learn more about making a legacy gift to the Struthers Library Theatre?
Please visit our planned giving website at strutherslibrarytheatre.givingplan.net, talk with your financial advisor, and call the Theatre for more information.