“She loved teaching children and getting them involved in the theatre experience. “I met Ruth when I worked at the Youth Bureau as a volunteer and student in the early 1980s,” Klohmann said. Klohmann remembers Ruth Davis and her passion for youth theatre and arts. “We will be offering a variety of diverse and inclusive programs and hope everyone will give them a try.” “It comes at a time when we have just hired a new Recreation Specialist focused on expressive arts for youth,” she said. Youth Bureau Director Liz Klohmann said the IYB is excited to receive this generous donation. I hope that by helping to support a diverse offering of expressive arts programming at the Ithaca Youth Bureau, I can help honor Ruth’s legacy and continue her vision of providing all children the encouragement and direction needed to realize their artistic and creative potential.” “Ruth taught her students that there was so much more to learn and experience about theater beyond playing a role on the stage. “Ruth’s approach to teaching emphasized process over performance, so that kids developed the various skills needed to build a production from the ground up,” she said. “Her life’s work was devoted to making all aspects of the performing arts-improvisation, prop and costume building, voice training, movement, and acting-accessible and inclusive for children of all ages.” “For more than 40 years, Ruth was my friend, mentor and colleague,” LaFeber said. LaFeber’s donation – named the Ruth Davis Expressive Arts Program – will support reduced fees for theatre programs provide supplies, tools and equipment for students to explore costume and prop making purchase a sound system with microphones and sponsor performing arts shows for children and families in the community. Sandy LaFeber, a friend and colleague of Ruth Davis, made the donation to ensure that Tompkins County children benefit from expressive arts opportunities just like they did when she and Davis worked together at the Youth Bureau in the 1970s and 1980s.

Ruth Davis Expressive Arts Programs The Show Must Go On! Donation Safeguards Arts Programming at the Youth BureauĪ donation made in memory of Ruth Davis, the founder of what was formally known as The Center for Expressive Arts at the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB), will help increase opportunities for youth to explore expressive arts locally.

Xpressive arts center