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At Taliesin, performance has always been as essential as design. The Fellowship filled their days not only with drafting and construction, but also with choir rehearsals, dance practices, and theatrical productions. They stitched costumes, composed music, and staged regular performances in the Hillside Theater, effectively transforming the former school gymnasium into a living workshop of the arts. More than a building, Hillside was, and continues as, a place where creativity brings people together.
That legacy was alive and well during the first annual Taliesin Staff Talent Show, when Taliesin colleagues stepped onto the historic stage to share music, poetry, and dance with one another. The evening unfolded as a reminder of Wright’s belief that art, in all its forms, could be a vehicle for community. As MC, Programs Coordinator, Noa Johnson, set the tone for the night, balancing warmth and humor while making each performer feel celebrated.
The program showcased a wide range of talents: Kitchen Gardener Abbie Lehman opened with the song “Freshly Laundered Linen,” followed by HR Manager Tim Hallett’s recitation of German poem Der Erlkönig and Riverview Terrace Cafe Cook Dave Pedersen’s “otherworldly vocal stylings.” Visitor Services Associate Addy Ebert sang Adele’s “Someone Like You,” while Gift Shop Manager Suzanne Powers brought a dose of karaoke fun: “I’ve been singing ‘Boots’ since I was about eight years old,” she said. “It was just fun to share the experience with coworkers who were kind and accepted just the pure fun of doing this.”
Hospitality Coordinator Kathy Garner (who walked away with a Miss Congeniality award for her performance) was a highlight of the night. Her whimsical Wright puppet danced across a backdrop of the Lloyd Jones Valley, accompanied by her Sound of Music vocal medley that invited the audience to sing along.
Interactive creativity continued with Collections Coordinator Kyle Dockery, who recreated the Taliesin estate in a predecessor program to Roller Coaster Tycoon. Audience members raised their hands and “rode” two coasters, aptly titled Form and Function, passing landmarks like Midway Barn and the Romeo and Juliet Windmill, and ending in a roofless Hillside Drafting Studio, earning endless cheers.
Instrumental music carried the program forward: House Steward Beth Wellner performed Bach’s Suite No. 1 on cello. “I’ve played it for about 40 years, and it’s a tried-and-true favorite,” she said, adding that the Hillside stage was “right up there” with some of the most famous venues she’s played. Tour manager Erin Crowley surprised the room with her flute abilities while Cook Julian Zhagnay emerged as the evening’s dark horse, captivating the audience with his dazzling jazz piano performance and ultimately taking home the top prize. Blending classical pieces with improvisation, his set was both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. After his performance, he turned to the crowd and said, “This is the most beautiful piano I’ve ever played on.” He left us with a simple, powerful message: “If I can do it. You can too.”
Vocals soared with Front of House Associate Leo Muhr, whose rendition of “The Winner Takes it All,” was vibrant, filling every corner of the theater with the drama of the song. Words also held power on this night, with original poetry from Visitor Services Associate Amanda Thomas and Operations Coordinator Anna Hinrichs, and readings from Tour Guide William Robichaud.
The evening closed with a waltz to Chopin. Communications Coordinator Elizabeth Maske reflected on the symbolism of performing in Hillside: “Dancing to classical piano within a space shaped by Wright’s vision of harmony across the arts felt profoundly fitting.” Her Wright–inspired gown, with its angular lines and sculptural pleats, echoed the triangular trusses of the Hillside Drafting Studio, reflecting that connection between movement, design, and history.
As cupcakes and lemonade from Riverview Terrace Cafe were shared at intermission and ballots tallied, the real prize was clear: Connection.
“It was humbling to think of all the talent that once graced the stage,” Suzanne said. “And to think about who would have been in the audience. What a rare and amazing experience!”
Audience members echoed the performers’ joy. “I REALLY enjoyed the talent show!” Director of Finance Andrea Dumke wrote afterward. “It was so amazing to see our colleagues sharing their talents. This event really brought everyone together to have a great time.”
More than just an evening of entertainment, the talent show reaffirmed Hillside Theater’s legacy as a space for connection, creativity, and collective transformation. Or, as Beth put it simply: “It gives us all a common ground to get to know each other—or know each other better.”
The Fellowship once filled these walls with dance, music, and poetry. This month, Taliesin’s staff did the same—and in doing so, carried that tradition forward.
