Turner Reminisces Over Local Arts, Activism Start at Arena Stage American Artist Awards

“What I love is to be used up and used fully,” said Kathleen Turner.  “It’s the most satisfying thing.”

Turner was present — and praised — prior to opening the music-infused solo show The Tallest Tree in the Forest at Arena Stage late last week as the theatre took the opportunity to give a nod to the pairing of arts and activism, a theme of both stage and soiree, at a presentation of its American Artist Awards.  

In its Molly Smith Study, Arena Stage held a cocktail reception and dinner attended by the likes of Congressmen Jim Moran (D-VA) and Lacy Clay (D-MO) and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg to honor Congresswoman Marsha Fudge and screen actress Kathleen Turner (who stars as the title character in Arena Stage’s upcoming Mother Courage and Her Children).

Fudge, who would receive The American Voice Award, was honored for her support of American arts and arts education. Turner was recognized for significant contributions to American Theatre with the American Artist Award.

And as it turns out, those arts and activism contributions were taking place in the DC area even before she became a big star.

“Body Heat wasn’t followed immediately by Romancing the Stone,” Turner insisted.  “Immediately after, I was Tatiana in A Midsummer Night’s Dream… right here at Arena Stage!”