Get to Know the Artcraft’s Supporting cast—Marjorie Begeman

​Behind the scenes of every weekend movie at The Historic Artcraft Theatre is a group of volunteers. This supporting cast keeps each show running and welcomes moviegoers with smiles. These volunteers help Franklin Heritage, Inc. (FHI) by serving concessions, greeting guests before each show, and assisting people to find seats. This week, we are interviewing Artcraft volunteer Marjorie Begeman. Marjorie has volunteered for Franklin Heritage, Inc., for ten years. At 90 years old, Marjorie has many stories of her travels and has volunteered at many places around Indianapolis.
 
I sat with Marjorie to discuss why she enjoys volunteering at the Artcraft.
 
Q: How many years have you volunteered at the theatre?
A: I've been a volunteer at the Artcraft for ten years. I started in 2014 when I moved to Franklin. I used to volunteer at many Indianapolis places, like the Indianapolis Public Library, the Children's Museum, and the Eiteljorg Museum. When I moved to Franklin, I knew only a few people, and I wanted to volunteer in a place where I could meet new people and get to know the town.
 
Q: What do you do for the theatre when you volunteer?
A: I enjoy volunteering for the matinee showings on Friday afternoons. I'm the greeter or an usher. I love welcoming people into the theatre and giving them their programs.
 
Q: What is your favorite concession snack?
A: The popcorn!
 
Q: Why do you volunteer at the Artcraft, and what do you enjoy about it?
A: To start, it gives me something to do with my time. And it's a positive thing. I needed to meet other people in the community. Certainly, the other volunteers are lovely to work with; everyone is so friendly; and I love the community. It's a positive experience all the way around.
 
Q: A little birdy told me you have traveled a lot in your lifetime. When did you start traveling?
A: I've traveled all my life. My parents used to pick me up as an infant, and we drove out West. We’d get a tent and camp our way around the country. When I got older, I started doing my own traveling, starting in the Caribbean. At the time, there was a travel company called Ambassadair Travel. They would have week-long trips somewhere that I would take.
 
After I was married, my husband, who also liked to travel, and I started to travel independently to traditional places in Europe. There was a period when I stayed home for some time because I had my family, and they were the important thing. And when my kids grew up, I started traveling overseas and getting more adventurous. As we got older, we wanted to visit different countries, third-world countries. That is when we began taking tours because they were more accessible, and they were guided. We didn't have to worry about how to get somewhere or another.

Q: If you had to give advice to someone who wanted to start traveling, what would you say?
A: When people start to travel overseas, they begin in places like England or other countries in Europe, which is terrific. Or they do the Caribbean, which is actually how I started. As you travel, you begin to feel like it is an infection; it is an interest that grows, and you want to visit more and more places. But travelers need to know that when you go to these countries, they are not like the United States, and you have to accept whatever these countries offer and not be critical of them.
 
I always travel light, just taking a carry-on. Most of the time, I only bring a few things, and I do my laundry. You don't need a lot of things, you just wash your clothes. That way, you are not burdened with all the physical stuff to carry around and worry about.
 
Q: What has been your favorite travel destination?
A: I have yet to have a favorite travel destination. I've traveled to more than 100 countries. I love seeing the way people live and what they have. It makes you appreciate what we have and take for granted here in the United States.
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Are you interested in volunteering at The Historic Artcraft Theatre? Get the details here!