Lithgow began the event by recognizingalums--including one Radio City Music HallRockette--who have pursued careers in the arts andreturned for the festival.
Before handing the podium over to Rudenstine,Lithgow made a surprise presentation to honorMayman's 25th year as director of the OFA.
He gave her a bouquet of flowers and broughther to the stage to the sounds of a trumpetfanfare.
Rudenstine then introduced Hays by quoting fromMy Old Man and the Sea, the 1995best-selling book Hays co-wrote with his son abouttheir sailing adventures. He discussed Hay'snumerous accomplishments, including designing setsfor over 50 Broadway shows.
Arts First Executive Producer and member of theBoard of Overseers Winifred White Neisser '74chaired the committee to select the arts medalwinner. Neisser said recipients must do more thansimply show artistic talent.
"We look for a significant contribution in thearts, an altruistic use of the art form," shesaid.
When Hays accepted the medal from Rudenstine,he thanked his wife, Leonora L. Hays.
"This is for a body of work," he said. "I'dlike to see it on the body that did it."
With that, Lithgow led Hays wife to the podiumin her wheelchair and placed the medal around herneck. Two members of the National Theatre for theDeaf then presented a poem with one speaking andone signing.
Community Affair
Arts First provided an opportunity for peopleoutside the Harvard community to celebrate thearts.
Cambridge Mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 marchedin the parade.
"I've been invited to represent the city ofCambridge," he said. "It's important to the citybecause many residents of Cambridge attend."
Director of Programs for the OFA Cathleen D.McCormick, who invites children along with herevery year, brought two of her young neighbors tosee the students' performances.
"It's a great community liaison and anopportunity to see what Harvard Students can do,"she said. "The quality is high and random peoplein the community seem to love it."
Read more in News
Foundation to Receive Increased Role, But Critics Question Its ApproachRecommended Articles
-
Community BRIEFS* BOYLSTON HALL * Flying Bat Forces Evacuation of Language Lab Tuesday Students working in the Boylston Hall Language lab
-
Eighth Arts First Festival Kicks OffWhen you see John A. Lithgow '67, star of "Third Rock from the Sun," wandering around campus, it means one
-
1,500 Converge on Yard for Arts First FestivalMore than 1,500 people converged on Harvard Yard this weekend to celebrate the third annual Arts First festival. This year's
-
Thousands Celebrate the ArtsThousands of artists and spectators gathered this weekend for "Arts First: A Harvard-Radcliffe Celebration," an unprecedented event honoring student art
-
Portrait of the Arts as a Young ProgramThe arts at Harvard today began at Radcliffe under the directorship of a small, misnamed Office of Sports, Dance and
-
Lithgow’s Artistic InsightIt’s not exactly Cliffhanger, but for actor John Lithgow ’67, Harvard has been a place for taking risks. During the