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| President |
Oversight for
Hexagon as a whole: the show, the people, community interaction |
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| Administrative
VP |
Ticket sales,
house management, box office operations, theatre liaison, patron mailing
list |
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| Production VP |
Show
management, direction, casting, and technical aspects |
|
| Membership VP |
Membership
recruiting and recording, member newsletter, dues collection, member
database |
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| Charity VP |
Charity
solicitation, selection, and liaison |
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| Social VP |
Member social
events |
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| Public
Relations VP |
Publicity,
show ads, newsbreak guests |
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| Publications
VP |
Show poster
and program, Hexagon web site maintenance |
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| Marketing VP |
Program ad
sales, sponsor solicitation, and show souvenirs |
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| Treasurer |
Corporation
finances and accounting |
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| Secretary |
Meeting
minutes and corporation document maintenance |
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| Past President |
Historian and
adviser to the President |
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| In November 1955, a group of young Washingtonians who had been active in college theatre got together to put on a show of their own. Charles Ilsley, who had appeared in several all-male Princeton Triangle productions, suggested a similar show devoted to "pure fun and nonsense." Several members of the group, including Tom Lehrer, wrote some songs and parodies for their first show, Meet the Beep. Its format was based on the popular NBC Sunday night radio show "Monitor." The show went up in the auditorium of the Holton-Arms School in the spring of 1956 with 43 performers. At the end of the five-performance run, the organizers contributed $2,200 to the American Cancer Society. The group decided to make the show a social event for charity or "we would have practically no audience." The organizers called the new group Hexagon since it was "twice as good as Triangle because we had girls." The political satire that Washington audiences have come to expect from Hexagon was also not part of the original show. But since Washington was a perfect target for political satire, and as no other theatrical group was offering this kind of entertainment, Hexagon soon found its niche. | |
Since that first Hexagon show in 1956, several other groups have come forward to present political satire in Washington. Hexagon, however, remains unique in three important respects:
- Hexagon is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with open membership. Hexagon members include bankers, teachers, health care professionals, engineers, reporters, editors, real estate agents, clergy, active and retired military personnel, scientists, secretaries, employees of international organizations and embassies.
- Each Hexagon show is completely original. Hexagon members write the show; perform in it; design and build the sets; handle all behind-the-scenes technical activities; play in the orchestra; staff the house and box office; and serve as ushers.
- All proceeds from every Hexagon show are donated to a Washington metropolitan area charity. The Hexagon Board of Directors meets each summer to choose the beneficiaries for future shows. Special fund-raising activities and souvenir sales increase the amount of money donated to the designated charity.
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| Hexagon has grown dramatically over the years. It now has nearly 350 members
and performs 17 times during the month of March before an audience totaling more
than 14,000 people. Its broad civic mission--using theatrical arts as a vehicle
for improving the lives of others within the community--has also grown.
All told, the 50 past Hexagon shows have raised over $3.3 million for more
than 40 major nonprofits plus additional funds for a variety of smaller organizations.
In addition to the March productions, a smaller touring group called "Hexagoners"
performs for various organizations from April through November. A Hexagoners show
incorporates
songs and skits from past shows. Hexagoners perform for a mutually agreed-upon
fee as part of fund-raising activities. To book Hexagoners for your next meeting,
fundraiser, convention, or party, contact the Hexagoners manager at (202) 333-SHOW
[Mailbox 6] or send an email to producer@hexagon.org. | |
| Hexagon has been broadly supported and recognized by the Washington metropolitan area community. Local businesses and organizations provide in-kind donations of materials and services, and
advertise in the show program. Members of Congress traditionally perform on stage one night during the run each year. National and local newscasters and performers join the cast as Newsbreak guests. Attorney General Janet Reno, Secretary of
Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, ABC broadcaster Sam Donaldson, and actor Robert Prosky have appeared in recent shows.
Hexagon also has received formal recognition for its contributions to the community. Washingtonian magazine selected Hexagon as a Washingtonian of the Year in January of 1993, the first time the publication honored an organization. In 1987,
President Reagan presented Hexagon a President's Volunteer Action Award, the nation's most prestigious award for volunteer service. The Greater Washington Area
chapter of Hadassah named Hexagon a 1994 winner of its Distinguished Americans
Award. | |
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