Transforming Lives: Giving in Action

Shelley Mulitz says that when the economy changed, the family realized they needed to find a way to help students. They are long-time supporters of the Center — among other contributions, they named the Mulitz-Gudelsky Rehearsal Studio as part of the University’s previous campaign, Bold Vision, Bright Future. The scholarship fund established during the University’s current campaign, Great Expectations, is another way to support a program they hold in high esteem.

“Now is the most important time to provide scholarships,” Shelley says. “So many young people are not able to go through the course of study without financial help.”

The fund is truly a family affair.<.p>

“It’s not just my husband Tommy and myself,” Shelley explains. “The gifts we give come from us and the children — Morty and Meghan Gudelsky, Laura Mulitz and Michelle Mulitz.”

Involvement with the performing arts runs deep and wide within the family. Shelley is chair of the Clarice Smith Center's Leadership Council and was recently selected to serve on the University of Maryland Board of Trustees. Tommy is chair of the Heifetz International Music Institute board and Shelley is a member and co-founder; daughter Laura is a vocal performer; Michelle is an actress; and son Morty and daughter-in-law Meghan are lifelong lovers of music and theatre. Shelley recalls that, in addition to family outings to local music and theatre performances near home and in New York, the children were constantly putting on shows of their own.

“My husband and I were always going down in the basement to see shows,” she laughs. “The arts have done so much for our family — we've enjoyed them and supported them and relied on them, too, during the tough times,” Shelley says.

She says the rewards of giving back in this way have been transcendent. In addition to attending student performances and supporting their first scholarship student, Shelley has interacted with many scholarship recipients through the Leadership Council. Most recently, she hosted three 2010 theatre graduates and Dan Wagner, Director, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, in New York City, giving the alumni an opportunity to stay connected.

“It is so fabulous to meet these kids, to see what they can do, what they have done, what they’re going to be able to do,” she says. “The students I have met at the Clarice Smith Center have inspired me to want to help the next young person.”

Shelley and Tommy are gratified that the family can transform lives and support the performing arts in a substantive way.

“We’re very fortunate to have the Clarice Smith Center; it has put Maryland in a different hemisphere when it comes to university performing arts centers,” Shelley says. “We have one of the most distinctive programs in the country, and I’m just thrilled with the artistic and academic offerings that we offer, the professors we have and what’s available to the students. To prospective students, I’d say ‘If you’re choosing a career in the performing arts, choose us.’

“I would definitely say, ‘choose us’.”