Meet Our Donors
Janice Stango
Janice Stango is always on the move. She's driven from Washington D.C. to Alaska six times. "You just drive to Canada and make a left," she laughs. However, at the Kennedy Center she takes a moment to slow down to enjoy the art.
Janice's love of theater goes back to her childhood in Irvington, New Jersey. The first performance she saw was a production of Brigadoon put on by the local high school. "From then on, I was absolutely mesmerized," she says.
Her participation in the arts was limited to being an audience member, except for a brief stint in accordion lessons. "I never had any illusions of my own musical talent," Janice admits. Her passion, however, is undeniable. "When no one was around the house, I'd reenact scenes from South Pacific," she says with a smile. Other favorite musicals include Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Yet her all-time favorite performer is Barbara Cook. "I would drive anywhere to see her."
Life eventually brought Janice to the D.C. area when she left home in the early 70s to study business and political science at American University. Having witnessed urban housing discrimination prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Janice was inspired to work in the housing industry. Eventually she became a Senior Vice President of a major trade association, then the Executive Director of a housing related charity.
These days, Janice does not keep still for long. Filled with wanderlust, she is a globe trotter at heart. Janice has visited all seven continents and recent adventures include Bhutan and Mongolia. She enjoys spending time in different National Parks across the country, and loves a good road trip. "I have a passion for dirt roads," she says. Last summer she traveled to Dubois, Wyoming to watch the 2017 solar eclipse in totality.
Despite all she's seen of the world, the Kennedy Center holds a special place in her heart. Once during a mindfulness class, Janice was asked to visualize her favorite place. She was torn between her favorite overlook in Hayden Valley at Yellowstone National Park or her subscription seat in the Concert Hall—a testament to her diverse passions. She has subscriptions to the National Symphony Orchestra's Pops series, in addition to the theater season.
Janice is leaving her estate to the Kennedy Center. When asked what motivated her to plan such a significant legacy gift at the Kennedy Center, Janice's answer is simple: "The Kennedy Center has given me so much joy; it's my favorite place to be."
The Kennedy Center is very fortunate to have such devoted patrons like Janice. Her commitment to the arts will ensure future generations will also find their favorite place here, at the Kennedy Center.