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Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Morton
Broadway electricians know better than most how to make a Broadway Cares show sizzle. And in the case of volunteer Jessica Morton, this attribute packs a special punch. For the past seven years, Jessica has offered her services at one of BC/ EFA’s most electrifying and highly anticipated events – Broadway Bares. “I do it because I like volunteering my time for something theatrical,” she said on a re- cent afternoon at the BC/EFA offices, where she was accompanied by her mom, Lyn, in town for a visit. And would working with barely-clad Broadway stars shaking for donations on the stage of the Roseland Ballroom be called a perk? “Unless they’re guys from my show,” she admits. In those cases, it all seems too incestuous. “I’ll hold out the dollar bill, and say, ‘Here – put it in yourself!”
Work on Kiss Me Kate, Cabaret, Chicago and 2 nd Stage followed before Jessica landed her current job at Hairspray – a show she is proud to have started with in Seattle. As assistant electrician, she runs the light board and, in fact, has run the board for BC/EFA’s past two Gypsy of the Year events, as well. But, it’s at Bares where Jessica most avails herself, logging in hour after hour, along with a wide-reaching core group of volunteers, to get the show up and running. Jessica’s enthusiasm for Bares is so infectious it has spilled over to other family members.
“Mom was solicited by the head electrician for a stage role,” Jessica said with a wink, revealing what is perhaps her least favorite Bares moment. So what is her favorite? The Milkman sketch from Bares 10, it turns out, was quite memorable as was the “leprechaun wrapping paper” from Bares 9. “The pot of gold g-string,” Jessica concurs with a slight blush. When asked if she might be plotting for any pot of gold in her future, she shrugs off the notion with a wish to keep things simple. “My goal has always been to be happy and pay my rent.” We thank Jessica Morton – and her mom – for helping us to pay ours.
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By Jody O’Neil