The executive director of the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord has died. M. T. Mennino became a fixture on the state's cultural scene during her eleven years at the performance hall. She was responsible for bringing everything from jazz to Shakespeare to central New Hampshire and spearheaded many programs to bring the performing arts to school children.
Paul Hodes was the center's first board chair and has this tribute.
*** A festive celebration of M.T. Mennino's life will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Donations can be made to the M.T. Mennino Memorial Fund, Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 South Main Street, Concord, NH, 03301 ***
I never called my friend, M.T. Mennino, by her given name. Mary-Therese is a beautiful name, but in some ways a little restrained for a person like M.T.
M.T. was a star- a big, glorious, shooting star who lit up any room she was in.
I was the first chairman of the board for the Capitol Center for the Arts back in 1994, when we went looking for an executive director. When M.T. walked through the door for her first interview, I knew we had found just the ticket. 
She had orange hair and wore a bright red suit. She told me later that she wanted to be sure she left an impression. Did she ever.
She was smart, warm and funny, and brought years of experience to the job. She said some things we probably didn't want to hear, about the challenges that lay ahead of us, but when she was through with us, I knew she had the right stuff.
By sheer energy and force of will, she helped transform not only the CCA, but downtown Concord and the state as well. She helped change the way businesspeople in New Hampshire thought about show business. She was a one-woman crusade for the power and importance of the arts throughout the state.
At the CCA, M.T. was a true impresario, and the volunteers, staff and board loved her fiercely. She oversaw fund drives and construction craziness. She helped make the CCA a national model for innovative arts education.
More than anything, she was a friend to lots of people- always ready to speak the truth, always showing up everywhere to support those she loved. She expected the highest levels of professionalism, and made people happy to deliver.
Now I know she wouldn't want me to be all soft and sentimental here- she had that tough exterior. We're gonna throw a great sendoff for M.T. at the center she built over the past decade. It will be a performance extravaganza that she'd be proud of.
So I'll just say- Mary-Therese Mennino, you did great.
photo courtesy Capitol Center for the Arts
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