Rather, it was the blonde 12-year Opera House matron Deborah Smith standing in the theater lobby with a host of awards and supporters.
Sunday's event drew a lobby packed full of people who came to honor Smith for the Opera House's summer win as the Outstanding Historic Theater by the League of Historic American Theaters.
But the theater award was only the beginning of Smith's honors.
October 5th will forever be known as Deborah Smith Day in Newberry in honor of Smith and her work as Newberry Opera House executive director. Resolutions from both City and County Councils made the day officially her own.
Sunday, Smith was acknowledged with the Order of the Palmetto, which is the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina, and the Palmetto Patriot award, which is awarded by the lieutenant governor.
“I am still numb,“ Smith said Sunday night after the awards ceremony. “There were so many people, I couldn't believe it. I am still overwhelmed. I killed my orchid (corsage) by accident from hugging so many people.”
With so much success, Smith credits the Opera House Outstanding Historic Theater Award win to a close-knit community.
“Partnerships here just come naturally. I have worked all over the country, as well as in other countries, but here, everyone just comes together,“ said Smith.
One quick to pass the spotlight to others, Smith gave nods to Board Chairman Jim Wiseman who she says is “the reason it all works,“ Opera House General Manager Lilja Lysaght, the Opera House Guild and “everyone else.”
“People have been incredible,“ said Smith. “While I'm thanking everyone, I want to thank Representatives Jeffery Duncan and Walt McLeod, as well as Sen. Ronnie Cromer, for conspiring together to get me the Order of the Palmetto. That is just simply mind-boggling.“
HER BACKGROUND
Smith grew up in New Haven, Conn. and studied Indo-European Philology (field of linguistics) in college.
Her first job was as a concert office manager at Yale University. From Yale, Smith worked as an art consultant in Connecticut, Vermont, Texas, Alaska, and even Hong Kong. Smith even lived in Vienna for a year.
After her extensive experience, Smith settled in Newberry.
“I love to travel, as it shows, but I haven't traveled much since being in Newberry,“ Smith said.
OPERA HOUSE FUTURE
After a dozen years at the helm, Smith still looks forward to new goals for the Opera House.
To be financially stable is her number one priority.
“You have to have endowments to be stable,“ Smith recalls.
Smith also wants to expand programming, audience range and bring bigger names to the stage.
“I want to put in more of a ‘wow' factor. My favorite shows are those that sell out, but you can't just book your favorites. You have to show something that everyone will want to come and see,“ she said.
Smith also wants to draw students, not just college, but high school and middle school students, to attend more shows.
“The students need to be in here at least two maybe even three times a year. They can be opened to so many different cultures,“ Smith said. “Even Shakespeare can be a cultural difference. It is one thing to be read, but to see how it is actually supposed to be as a play is incredible. The students can take it back and relate while reading how emotions and tone are supposed to be.“
Her hopes also include internships at the Opera House.
Internships are already available to college students at Newberry, the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston, but Smith is interested in recruiting high school students and even middle school students to the Opera House.
IN THE HOUSE
The Opera House won the Outstanding Historic Theater Award, which is awarded for community impact, the quality of program and services offered and the quality of the physical renovation to a theater that inspires excellence in the field of historic theaters by example.
The opera houses nominated for the prestigious award vary immensely in size, location, stories of renovations and building style.
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