The Senate is More than a Theater; it’s a Family
By Karen Hunt
“We are a family, and we help each other even outside of the theater…”
When Heather Crayton talks about her work at the Senate Theater, you can tell that helping there is more than just a casual, occasional activity. She thought volunteering at the Senate would be fun, and even something that would look good on a resume, but she found it was far more enriching and meaningful to her life. She says of her fellow volunteers “We are a family, and we help each other even outside of the theater; it’s an awesome opportunity.”
May 6, 2023 was a banner day for Heather Crayton. It was the 8th annual Detroit International Festival of Animation, and it was being held at the Senate. Not only did Heather enjoy the animated short films, but she had an idea. “I became interested in the Senate after attending the Detroit International Festival of Animation. I wanted to add some volunteering to my resume and decided this would be a great idea.” She and her boyfriend decided to volunteer together, and they still do.
From that beginning, Heather has become an enthusiastic helper at the nearly 100-year-old cinema. Heather said that her favorite duty is to sell tickets to patrons. “I really enjoy ticket sales because it gives me an opportunity to meet new and exciting people.” She also enjoys the Halloween performances. “It gives me a chance to see people dress up and see their personalities. One year I dressed up as Rainbow Brite and another year I dressed up as Poison Ivy. It was very cute.”
“…it gives me an opportunity to meet new and exciting people.”
Heather said that her next event at the Senate that she is really looking forward to is the Senate’s pride event, which will take place on June 27 with the showing of The Cockettes, a documentary of the drag performance group of the same name that flourished from 1969 to 1972. After the film, there will be a live drag performance and then the John Waters film, Multiple Maniacs, will be shown. This film stars Divine, who was a sometime member of the Cockettes.
Volunteering at a movie theater can be inspiring, but so can films. One of her absolute favorite films is Steel Magnolias, not just because it is a great movie but because it is also a personal inspiration to Heather. “I identified with the Julia Roberts’s character. I have medical conditions that make it hard to do some of life’s tasks, but I push through. Seeing that movie gave me the inspiration to go past my medical problems.”
“I am so in love with the Senate family that I MAKE time to volunteer!”
Heather is a native Detroiter, who lives only a few blocks from the Senate; the theater could be called her neighborhood theater. Her life is filled with numerous hobbies that keep her busy and active outside the Senate. Heather has different creative pursuits; she enjoys coloring and singing. She relaxes by reading and completing crossword puzzles. Heather also dotes on her pet rat terrier. “I love my Hazel. She’s awesome.” Of course, she loves movies, especially action and horror ones. “Watching Blade on the big screen was AWESOME! Seeing all the action on the big screen was great!”
And then there’s the Senate. “I am so in love with the Senate family that I MAKE time to volunteer,” she emphasizes. “I am a dialysis patient, and volunteering at the Senate is my way of getting out of the house.”