Gietka's Gift Benefits SU's Summer Arts Academy
SALISBURY, MD---“If I’m on stage, in front of four or five hundred people by myself, doing a monologue, I can see the bands of energy coming off of people in the audience,” said Jerry Gietka, a veteran of stage, film and television acting. “I can feed off it. It’s a rush.”
That feeling is something Gietka wants to share with the next generation of actors, helping to enhance Salisbury University’s Summer Arts Academy with a gift from Jerry’s Fund of $10,000, donated by the Gietka Family in memory of Jerry's sister Bernadette. Jerry’s Fund supports the arts and is one of three private foundations overseen by Gietka.
The Summer Arts Academy resumes in 2020 after a hiatus of seven years, offering high school students experience and guidance across a variety of performing and visual arts areas including dance, technical theater, creative writing, musical theater, ceramic sculpture, drama, music production, glass art and orchestra.
The gift will be used to assist in the scholarship fund for the Summer Arts Academy, allowing youths who may not have the financial means to participate to be able to broaden their artistic horizons.
“We are so thrilled to have the Summer Arts Academy making its return to SU, and with the generous donation from the Gietka family and Jerry’s Fund, many young students will benefit from participation in the program this year,” said Dr. Maarten Pereboom, dean of SU’s Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts.
Gietka has been acting since his days at Loyola College (now Loyola University), where he fell in love with the craft as a student.
“One of the best things about theatre is you meet lots of new people. You create a new family every time,” he said.
Living on the eastern shore for the past five years, Gietka and partner Mary Ellen (Mel) Chilcoat have connected with the live arts community in the area. This includes directing and performing locally with the Community Players of Salisbury, Ocean Pines Players, Possum Point Players in Georgetown, DE and Ovation Dinner Theater. Part of their passion is helping young potential actors find their way.
“It is very important to get young people involved with the arts,” said Chilcoat, a visual artist herself. “The programs allow these students to line up with other people who have similar interests.”
The Summer Arts Academy is part of the SU Center for Extended and Lifelong Learning’s (CELL’s) Summer Enrichment Academies, which offer a variety of educational programs for elementary, middle and high school-aged students from June-August.
To register, or for more information, call 410-543-6090 or visit the CELL website at www.salisbury.edu/cell.
The Summer Academy for the Arts gift also helps support “We Are SU: The Campaign for Salisbury University,” the largest fundraising effort in campus history. The $75 million initiative is helping the University transform tomorrow, shape success and create connections through funding for student scholarships and academic programs.
For more information call 410-543-6175 or visit the “We Are SU” campaign website at www.salisbury.edu/campaign.