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Synopsized Organizational History
Duck Soup Players started out in 1969 as an informal
group with no outside funding. Although the concept was sound
and rewarding for those involved, execution became too costly
especially since the organizers were paying for everything out
of their own pockets. Therefore, in 1976 the company was
discontinued for two years while the organizers searched for
sponsors.
In April 1978, Duck Soup Players incorporated as a
non-profit organization in the state of Minnesota. COMPAS acted
as the fiscal agent until the 501(c)(3) status was obtained. A
CETA grant was received to enable the company to hire some
full-time staff and begin again on a larger scale. The grant
helped accomplish three things: First, because of the full-time
status, many more people were reached. Second, the grant
literally bought time to prove the social and medical
(therapeutic) value of the program. Third, the project was able
to produce more professional-quality shows. Other funds were
also received from a small core of sponsors. With an eye toward
the future, and the goal to wean Duck Soup from CETA,
foundations and corporations in the business community were
approached. The response was positive and the non-government
funding grew consistently. By April 1980, the last of the CETA
support was received.
Duck Soup continued to grow not only in number of
performances and amount of people reached, but also in terms of
quality in the performance and the equipment. From 1980 through
1982, Duck Soup performed not only in the Twin Cities
area, but also for the U.S.O. and the Department of Defense.
During this time, Duck Soup averaged 130 shows locally
and 52 shows nationally each year. Major Marvin L. Kipp, from
Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska had this to say about Duck
Soup Players on an Armed Forces Professional Entertainment
Evaluation Form which was sent to the Pentagon:
"Duck Soup Players is an outstanding entertainment unit.
Their performances are polished and professional, and their
personal conduct was above reproach. They are highly flexible
and adaptable to virtually any situation. When called upon for
extra effort, Duck Soup Players was not only willing, but eager
to perform. From day one, Mr. Patrick M. Bettendorf, manager of
the unit, shows remarkable leadership. Feedback on the Duck Soup
Players has been unilaterally enthusiastic. . . . We highly
recommend them for additional DOD tours."
In October 1982, Patrick Bettendorf was the recipient of a
very special honor. An invitation arrived from the White House
requesting his presence at a dinner in Washington, D.C. honoring
Bob Hope. U.S.O.
was in their 40th year of service and celebrated with a
dinner, entertainment, and special guests. President Reagan,
former President Ford, numerous Hollywood personalities, the
President’s cabinet, and the presidents of several major
corporations were in attendance. It was indeed an honor for
Duck Soup to be represented at such an occasion.
After discontinuing the U.S.O./Department of Defense tours in
1983, Duck Soup began to step up its effort to reach
people in the Twin Cities area. Cities in greater Minnesota were
also included in each tour schedule. Currently each show tour
includes performances in at least two areas in greater
Minnesota. Additionally, the demand for performances has grown
significantly. So much so, that it cannot be met in one
production tour. Many of the past productions are "revived" or
extended to meet these un-met demands.
Since 1994, we have a yearly average of between 50 and 60
performances divided by 3 different productions. These productions
include musical revues, comedies, melodramas, and "nostalgia
specials." Between 4,000 and 6,000 "patrons" see our shows
annually.
One of the points in our mission statement is to
utilize theater as a therapeutic tool. Medical professionals are
firm believers in the therapeutic value that is inherent in the
Duck Soup program. It is their opinion, and the basic
philosophy of recreational therapy, that contact with people and
being in a stimulating environment is vital to maintaining one’s
orientation, and enjoy a more stable existence. That we know of,
Duck Soup is the only professional quality, full-time
theatre group offering this kind of recreational therapy to
individuals residing in institutions, seniors in high-rise
apartments, or children in the hospital. Recreational Therapist
Bruce Rindahl of United Hospital’s Psychiatric Unit cited one
particular man that Duck Soup touched:
"One patient in particular is a good example. He was forced
into retirement two years ago having been a very efficient
employee. He found retirement very difficult to cope with; he
withdrew and eventually became depressed. His first involvement
with the therapeutic recreational program was your show. He
enjoyed it very much, and as a result started involving himself
again."
Robert Collins, of the University of Minnesota Hospitals and
Clinics, stated:
"Parents of children who are seriously ill are under a
tremendous strain. That night, as I watched the Duck Soup
Players, I saw many parental eyes wander from the stage and rest
on the face of their child. For them to see their children in a
normal childhood situation - play and fun - must do more to
relieve the strain that anything medical science could give
them."
Comfort = assurance, trust, confidence, and faith. All of
these attributes are present within persons who are happy and
stable, and who exist within a well-rounded and stimulating
environment. To have that kind of existence and those kinds of
people is the aim of Duck Soup. The institutionalized
person cannot be forgotten when it comes to the arts or a
balance environment. Duck Soup programs stimulate comfort
within these individuals. |
