One-Woman Show

It’s June, and nearly 350 guests are gathered at Circus Juventas in St. Paul for the annual fundraising gala of the Minnesota International Center, a nonprofit that sponsors forums to promote global understanding. The audience has just finished a traditional Moroccan dinner and listened to Aziz Mekouar, Morocco’s ambassador to the United States and the evening’s guest of honor, who has shared stories about Morocco and discussed the importance of donating to the center. Attendees mill about, some at the bar, some at the silent-auction tables. They’re awaiting the entertainment—a Cirque de Soleil–type performance by members of Circus Juventas. But first, there’s the live auction. 

After a brief introduction by the International Center’s president, the auctioneer walks out onto a floor sprinkled with mats and stands under the ropes and rings high above, where Juventas students will perform. Her highlighted, lightly styled blonde hair reaches her shoulders. She wears an espresso-colored chiffon blouse, flared black plants, and five-inch heels.

The auction begins. In a low, smooth voice she describes the first item up for bid, a 1998 Ken Wright Pinot Noir. Then, in a flash, she rattles off the starting bid in the typical fast clip of an auctioneer’s chant. “Ten, ten, would you give me ten, I need ten, ten, ten, would you give me ten.” The guests turn to each other: A few wonder aloud why the bidding for a bottle of wine worth several hundred dollars is starting at only $10. But before they get their answer, the bidding is already up to $150. The bottle goes for $250. 

Sorbo doesn't like to be tied down to scripts at her events. "I don't use TelePrompTers, and I'm not rehearsed," she says. "I don't like notes. I don't like to read verbiage. I'm a very free spirit; I don't like structure."

The pattern continues for the next 40 minutes. The auctioneer elicits bids in the thousands for items such as lunch with Mekouar in Washington, D.C., a two-week stay at a private Moroccan villa, and a wine tasting with Kim Perry Butler, the Canadian consul general in Minneapolis. When a bid stalls, the auctioneer breaks her fast-paced cadence. To encourage one guest to raise his bid, she says, “It’s okay, I’ll wait,” and crosses her arms. When she gets a smaller-than-desired bid on another item, she tells the bidder, “Have some more wine.” The audience erupts into laughter both times.

Heads turn to see who’s making the bids on the items. Spotters stand in the audience, waving their white napkins so the auctioneer can see beyond the bright stage lights who’s vying for the items. She often walks into the crowd, generously thanking bidders for their donations. Despite the high style of her appearance, she exudes genuine, easygoing warmth—just as she does on stage. 

“She’s good,” a husband whispers to his wife at a nearby table. “No,” his wife replies. “She’s amazing.”