DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708260201

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 24   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Kathryn Darling 

                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

EILENE ROSENBLUM YOUNG AUDIENCES DIRECTOR

Eilene Rosenblum came to Norfolk for the summer and stayed 34 years. But it wasn't the position as director of a new television station, WHRO, that convinced the New York native to call Hampton Roads home.

It was the tall, handsome Southerner she met her first week in town. And by Thanksgiving, Eilene and Jordon Rosenblum were married.

She now considers herself a Southerner, she says.

``Once you give birth to Southern children, you belong.''

Since she left WHRO-TV in 1967, Rosenblum's career and volunteer work have focused on developing the arts in Hampton Roads. She has served as public relations director and acting general manager of the Virginia Opera Association, a docent at the Chrysler Museum and a volunteer with the symphony.

Her current position as director of Young Audiences of Virginia blends her two interests, education and the arts. She finds and hires local and national artists for school performances, works with educators to show them how to mesh the arts with traditional curriculum and helps raise funds to keep the organization going.

It's important for children to learn about the arts, she said.

``Arts make history and math and science interesting . . . when you are doing something artistic, you feel alive.''

Name: Eilene Madeleine Halpern Rosenblum.

Nickname: Never had one

What brought you to Norfolk? A job as a TV director at a brand new television station, WHRO

Birthplace: New York City

Birthdate: More than half-century ago!

Occupation: Executive director of Young Audiences of Virginia, an arts organization

Marital status: Married to Jordan Rosenblum

Children: A son, a daughter and two precious grandchildren

Last book read: ``She's Come Undone,'' by Wally Lamb. I belong to a book club.

Favorite movie: ``Evita.''

Favorite magazine: Vanity Fair

If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? When I was growing up and I visited the movies, I didn't want to be the star, I wanted to be the director. I'd love to be Steven Spielberg for a day. To have the ability to create and develop a story and tell it my way by shaping and molding the pieces is for me the greatest thrill.

Biggest accomplishment: Raising two accomplished, independent children

Most embarrassing moment: My face still gets red thinking about it - so we'll keep it private.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would try to be more laid-back.

Perfect way to spend the day: At the theater. Go to a matinee, have a fabulous dinner and return to the theater in the evening

Favorite vacation spot: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Pet peeve: People who don't do what they say they'll do

First job: Camp counselor teaching drama

Worst job: I was a movie extra in a grade B film. I never got paid, but it did play at a Norfolk drive-in.

Hobbies: I don't have any. When I get old, I'm going to take up a hobby.

Favorite restaurant: Todd Jurich's Bistro

What do you like most about Norfolk? How it has grown into a cultural center for the arts.

What do you like least about Norfolk? Change comes so slowly ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL

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