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American Association of Community Theatre--Improving Communities One Theatre at a Time

 

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national awards
 

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Art Cole Award


Honors a lifetime of leadership in community theatre by members of AACT who have provided leadership at the national level, in addition to local and/or regional levels.
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2009 Honoree

Frank Peot

Sun Prairie, WI

Photo of Frank Peot

 

Frank Peot is a retired fifth grade teacher and presently serves as technical director of Sun Prairie (WI) High School. He has extensive experience as an adjudicator, director, writer, and designer. He has been involved with the Sun Prairie Civic Theatre since 1975. Frank has chaired state and regional festivals and is a frequent workshop leader. He has served as Secretary for AACT since 1990, and is Secretary of Region III AACT, and Secretary for the AACT Endowment Trustees. He serves as an AACT Festival Commission Representative and on the International Committee. He is the North American representative to the governing Council of the International Amateur Theatre Association. His past service includes Region III Representative to the AACT Board, President of the Wisconsin Theatre Association, and President of the Sun Prairie Civic Theatre. He has been recognized by AACT as a Fellow and received AACT's Special Recognition Award.
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Previous Recipients  
1987  Art Cole (Midland, TX)
1988  Sydney Spayde (Iowa City, IA)
         John Wray Young (Shreveport, LA)
1989  Mort Clark (North White Plains, NY)
1991  Sherwood Lohrey (Memphis, TN)
1992  Harv Thompson (Madison, WI)
1993  Norman McPhee (Racine, WI)
1994  Jim Carver (Kalamazoo, MI)
1995  Enid Holm (Odessa, TX)
1996  Betty Tomlinson (Spokane, WA)
1998  L. Ross Rowland (Muncie, IN)
1999  Bea Miller (Memphis, TN)
2000  Rusty Clauss (Alexandria, VA)
2001  Rod McCullough (Lancaster, PA)
2002  Twink Lynch (Topeka, KS)
2003  Shirley Harbin (Detroit, MI)
2004  John Viars (Des Moines, IA)
2005  Jack Phillips (Downers Grove, IL)

2008  Joanne Berry (Bay City, MI)

         Stephen Peithman (Davis, CA)

 


David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award


Recognizes members of AACT for significant, valuable, and lasting service to community theatre..
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2009 Honoree

Dane Winters

US Army, Heidelberg, Germany

 

Dane Winters has been the Entertainment Director at the Roadside Theater, a US Army Entertainment theater in Heidelberg, Germany since 2000. Dane received his MFA in Acting/ Design at the Dallas Theater Center from Trinity University in 1984. He spent four years as a professional actor/singer/ dancer in the Dallas, Texas region. In 1986, Dane moved to Bamberg, Germany as a US Army Entertainment Music Specialist. He then served as the Stuttgart Theater Center Director from 1988-1998 and the Stuttgart Entertainment Branch Director from 1998-2000. Dane has received numerous TOPPER Awards (US Army Entertainment Europe Tournament of Plays) for his directing, design and technical direction. In 2005, Dane was honored with a special commendation from US Army Europe Commanding General B. B. Bell for his contribution to the US Army in Europe.

 

Previous Recipients  
1978  Robert E. Gard (Madison, WI)
1979  Art Cole (Midland, TX)
1980  John Wray Young (Shreveport, LA)
1981  Jeanne Adams Wray (Stillwater, OK)
1982  Robert Plumb (Broken Arrow, OK)
1983  Betty Tomlinson (Spokane, WA)
1984  Kay Fliehr (Edina, MN)
1985  Twink Lynch (Topeka, KS)
1987  David Gooder (Downers Grove, IL)
1988  Mort Clark (North White Plains, NY)
1989  Al & Elise King (Clinton, IA)
1990  Bea Miller (Mempis, TN)
1991  Shirley Harbin (Detroit, MI)
1992  L. Newell Tarrant (Raleigh, NC)
1993  Sandra Karnack (Minot, ND)

1994  Charles Chesnut (Chappaqua, NY)

1995  John Wills (Spokane, WA)
1996  John Viars (Des Moines, IA)
1997  JoAnne Nissen (Racine, WI) 
1998  Donna Norberg (Minneapolis, MN)
1999  Jerry Paquette (US Army)
2000  Bill Razo (Hobbs, NM)
2001  Jeanne Stein (Los Alamos, NM)
2002  Ginny Winsor (Omaha, NE)
2003  Dawn Enders (La Crosse, WI)
2004  Eleanor Smith (Columbus, OH)
2005  Norm Small (Winter Haven, FL)
2006  Steve Walpert (Fort Gordon, GA)
2007
 David Allen, Memphis, TN
        
Nick Credgington, Fort Belvoir, VA
        
Ginger Heath, Charlotte, NC

2008  Vanita Rae Smith, Honolulu, HI

 


Distinguished Merit Award


Presented to individuals and organizations in recognition of contributions made to promote and develop the highest standards for community theatre.

 

2009 Honoree

Bonnie Daniels

US Army

 

Bonnie Daniels has been active in community theatre since 1976 when she directed Damn Yankees for Yongsan Players in Seoul, Korea. She and her husband, Ross, spent 16 years as directors at Fort Knox Army Community Theatre and eight years with Soldiers' Theatre in Vicenza, Italy. Bonnie has directed over 110 major productions and workshops. She directed the Army's inaugural Theatre Bravo production in 2000 and subsequent world-tour Bravo productions. Her productions have received awards at state, regional, and national festivals, and at international Festivals in Aruba and Germany. She directed Do Not Go Gentle, which represented Region X (overseas military) in the National AACTFest '99. Bonnie has been an advocate for developing Arts-In-Education programming for the military community and has served on state and national arts-education committees. She is a past board member of AACT. In 2006, the U.S. Army presented Bonnie with the James T. Martin Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement.

 

 

2009 Honoree

Andre Bruce Ward

Memphis, TN

 

André Bruce Ward, as a teenage wardrobe assistant at an "industrial" car show, knew that he should be in costume design, so he headed to Ringling College of Art and Design. After graduation, André designed and built costumes in New Hampshire for summer stock for five years. Winters in New York City he worked in a costume shop, designed for Off-Broadway shows, and built costumes for New York City Opera. André's first brush with community theatre was with the Virginia Museum Theatre in Richmond where he designed costumes for plays, musicals and ballet. After five years, he left to become the resident costume designer at Theatre Memphis. In thirty years there he has designed over 200 productions showing imagination, attention to detail, theatrical sense and leadership. During a transition in management, André even served as interim Executive Producer. Theatre Memphis recently honored André by publishing a book of his designs.

 

Previous Recipients  
1979  Norman Carver (Kalamazoo, MI)
1980  Douglas Cook (University Park, PA)
1981  Henry Fonda (Omaha, NE)
1982  David Gooder (Downers Grove, IL)
1983  Bea Miller (Memphis, TN)
1984  Alaska State Community Theatre
         Association 
1985  National Multicultural Theatre Association
         of Canada 
1987  Twink Lynch (Topeka, KS)
1988  Kalamazoo Civic Players (MI)
1989  Charles Jones (Omaha, NE)
1990  Hiroshi Koizumi (Toyama City, Japan)
1991  Target Stores 
1992  Paul Ebert (Oak Ridge, TN)
1993  Jon Kerkhoff (Omaha, NE)
1994  Theatre Midland (TX)
1995  Sherwood Lohrey &
         Theatre Memphis (TN)

 

1996  Steve Spiegel & Music Theatre
         International (New York, NY) 
1997  William Talbot (New York, NY)
1998  Stage Directions Magazine
1999  David Young (Gainesville, FL)
2000  Charles Jeffers (Hickory, NC)
2001  Jim Sohre (US Army, Europe)
2002  Enid Holm (Odessa, TX)
         Harv Thompson (Madison, WI)
2003  Ohio Community Theatre Association
2004  Shirley Cockrell (Oneida, NY)
         Hap Ryder (Fairbanks, AK)
         Pat White (Amherst, NH)
2005  Jerry Zimmerman (Ft Jennings, OH)
2006  John Rich (Pullman, WA)
2007  Morrie Enders, Kalamazoo, MI

2008  Jim Buckley, Cambria, CA

   

Robert E. Gard Superior Volunteer Award


Presented to individuals over the age of 65 who have faithfully served community theatre on a non-paid basis for over 25 years.
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2009 Honoree

Rae Cohen

Newport Beach, CA

 

In 1979 Rae Cohen joined the board of the Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center (NTAC), newly formed to provide theatre in the Newport Beach city facility. She had little theatre background. Since that time, she has stepped into other areas, but her forte has been in the business aspects. For fifteen years she has served as President. She represents NTAC with the City and is involved in hiring directors, producing, and in creating season brochures and programs. She built tremendous rapport with season ticket holders and continually strengthens that essential base. Rae has provided continuity, stability, and motivational incentives, attracting a highly diverse group of participants, including directors, choreographers, musicians, costumers, technicians, and performers. NTAC's position of respect and affection throughout the entire Newport Beach area is a product of vision and effort, both of which stem from Rae's unflagging commitment to its place and purpose in the community.
 

2009 Honoree

Max Polley


Davidson, NC

 

Max Polley, Presbyterian minister and teacher, retired in 1993, but he has never retired from his nonpaid work with the Davidson (NC) Community Players (DCP). For over 30 years he has worked tirelessly managing the box office, raising money, building sets, and serving on the board of directors. He first became involved with DCP in 1975 when his son convinced him to try out for a production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Once onstage, he was hooked for life and appeared in an additional 21 productions. Although founded in 1965, it was the mid 1980s when the first DCP board was established, with Max as Chairman. Under his direction the
board hired its first executive director. He returned to the board in 1995 during a difficult time and served another 12 years. At age 79 Max is still eager to volunteer and he and his wife Jackie continue to be generous financial donors.

 

2009 Honoree

Willa Wye Rockett


Belmont, MA

 

Willa Wye joined the Belmont (MA) Dramatic Club (BDC) in 1940, four years before she married Frank Rocket. She became Corresponding Secretary in 1943 and still serves in that position. She has performed in 18 BDC shows and three shows for the Arlington (MA) Friends of the Drama. She graduated from the Leland Powers School of the Theatre and taught Elocution for 15 years. Willa says BDC is her life and she has supported it in numerous ways, particularly in the fields of membership, tickets, and organization of ushers for shows. In addition, Willa has been involved in PTA, the Belmont Women’s Club, the Belmont Historical Society, and in Senior Citizens activities. Belmont’s “Lilac Lady” always wears purple and has a passion for cats. At almost 96, Willa is a vivacious and charming asset to the town of Belmont.

 

Previous Recipients  
1982  L. K. Boutin (Des Moines, IA)
1983  Ruth Kenyon Tate 
         (North White Plains, NY)
1984  Emma & Alan Bowlsby 
         (Indianapolis, IN)
1985  Roberta Kendrick (Minneapolis, MN)
1987  Peggy Greene (Topeka, KS)
1988  Alice B. Rogers (Memphis, TN)
         Hilda Greenquist (Racine, WI)
1989  Mary Peckham (Omaha, NE)
         Lil Williams (Ardmore, OK)
1990  Dick Brown (Des Moines, IA)
1991  Mary Dwyer (Sheyboygan, WI)
1993  Firth Chew (Spokane, WA)
1994  John Edmands (Racine, WI)
1995  Ruth Cole (Midland, TX)

1996  Holley R. Webster (Wallingford, PA)
1997  Jean Mitchell (Grand Rapids, MI)
1998  Dottie Griffith (St. Joseph, MI)

1999  Betsey Reeder (Memphis, TN)
2000  Jane Margison (Riverside, CA)
         Robert Montgomery (Bremerton, WA)
2001  Heddie Kent (Concord, MA)
2002  Paul Sturner (Tonawanda, NY)
         Isabella Ward (Dover, DE)
2003  Charlotte Hall (Fort Thomas, KY)
         Fred Normand (Rome, NY)
2004  Tom Cowley (Ponca City, OK)
         Jo Pruden (Fort Shafter, HI)
2005  Hal Robinson (Royal Oak, MI)
         Sherman C. Ward, Jr. (Haddenfield, NJ)
2006  Marge and Ted Ressler (Dover, DE)
2007
 Rosemary Green & Louise Carpenter
        
Ocala, FL

2008  James N. Alexander, III, Haddon

         Heights, NJ

         Peg Brandon, Winter Haven, FL

         Henry Pope, Walla Walla, WA

 

 

   

Special Recognition Award


Presented to persons or organizations whose contributions to community theatre are far reaching and of a special nature.
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2009 Honoree

Robert G.

 Anderson


Starkville, MS

 

Robert G. (Bob) Anderson has been vital to the Starkville Community Theatre (SCT) throughout its 31 seasons. When SCT performed in various venues, Bob's set designs provided the adaptability to available space that, together with his directing and his instruction for other directors, ensured successful productions. When SCT purchased a downtown department store, Bob did most of the planning, design, and work supervision during the conversion. Bob has directed 18 shows and designed sets for 23 shows, has served as house manager, and has performed in several shows. Bob has served SCT as president, and, since 2002, as treasurer, and although now 78 years old, continues to chair the building committee. For the past three years he has staffed the box office for every show. Starkville Community Theatre clearly attributes its survival, success, and prospects for the future directly to the time and talent, energy and intellect, and exceptional commitment of Robert G. Anderson.

 

 

2009 Honoree

John Kollock


Clarkesville, GA

 

John Kollock began working with community theatre groups in Atlanta, GA at the age of 14. He majored in scenic design in college and became a professional artist. After moving his family to the Clarksville, GA area in 1972, he gave of his time and expertise freely to local theatres, particularly the Sautee-Nacoochee Theatre. When the Habersham Community Theatre (HCT) was formed in 1982 he donated art for playbills and posters, designed and built sets, served on the board and play selection committee, and did a bit of acting. In 1999 HCT bought a movie house that had been converted into a shop. John first designed and helped build a performance space in the limited shop area, and later served as designer and renovation chairman to restore and update the movie house. He also was a large financial donor for the project. In 2005 the new stage was designated The Kollock Stage.

 

 

Previous Recipients  
1996  A. R. Gurney
1997  International Thespian Society
1998  Studio de Monaco - World Festival of
              Amateur Theatre
         Dundalk (Ireland) International 
              Maytime Festival
         Toyama (Japan) International Theatre
              Festival
1999  Stephen Peithman (Davis, CA)
2000  Kurt Majkowski (Eau Claire, WI)
2001  1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery 
          (Fort Sill, Lawton, OK)
2002  Frank Peot (Sun Prairie, WI)
2003  Vilseck Bavarian Arts Guild 
         (Vilseck, Germany)
2004  Patty Duke (Northern ID)
2005  Kathie Maldonado (Hobbs, NM)
2007 
Angela L. Ardolino (Miami, FL)

2008  Victoria L. Hanrahan (Ansbach, Germany)
 

 


Twink Lynch Award


Recognizes AACT member theatres for successfully completing major steps in new directions, expanding services to their community, or moving to the next level of organizational development.
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2009 Honoree

Venice Theatre

Venice, FL

Venice Theatre logo

 

Located on an island in Venice, Florida, Venice Theatre (VT) is one of the largest community theatres in the United States. The VT MainStage offers seating for 432 patrons and features musicals, plays, concerts, and special events. The Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre seats 90
patrons and is home to “Generations,” Stage II and Cabaret Series. In addition to producing over 20 full-scale productions a year, VT brings in national concert acts and provides performance space for other groups in the community. VT is particularly proud of its education
and outreach programs, which reach over 10,000 students and 8,000 seniors each year. Venice Theatre is proud to have been making a dramatic impact on all stages of life for nearly 60 years.

Previous Recipients  
2003  Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy (KS)
         Quincy Community Theatre (IL)
2004  Albuquerque Little Theatre (NM)

2005  Bay City Players (MI)

2006  Chattanooga Theatre Centre

2007  Stuttgart Theatre Center, Germany

2008  SHAPE Performing Arts Center, Supreme

         Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe

        (Belgium)

 


Corporate Award


Presented to businesses and corporations for significant financial support of community theatre on a regional or national basis.

2009 Honoree

Theatrical Rights

Worldwide

 

Theatrical Rights Worldwide logo

 
In 2006, Steve Spiegel launched Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), a musical theatre licensing agency with a catalog of shows from Broadway and Off-Broadway, plus shows originating in regional theatres and international venues. Steve is an advocate for the arts whose pioneering
efforts have nurtured educational, community and professional theatre throughout the world. He received AACT’s Distinguished Merit Award in 1996 and lead Music Theatre International to
receive AACT awards in 1996 and 2001. His thirty years of experience listening to and learning from community, school, and professional theatres enabled him to found TRW and create practical, customer-friendly products. Theatrical Rights Worldwide quickly became a supporter of community theatre needs and efforts, locally and nationally. TRW was a sponsor of the national
AACTFest in Charlotte, NC in 2007 and a major sponsor of the AACT 2008 NYC Convention. TRW’s support continues as it is also a supporter of AACTFest Tacoma.

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Previous Recipients  
1987  Southwestern Bell (Topeka, KS)
1992  General Mills 
1993  Martin Marietta Energy Systems
         (Knoxville, TN)
1994  S.E. Johnson Wax (Racine, WI)
1995  Meadows Foundation (Dallas, TX)
1996  Dan Castle & PCI Entertainment 
         (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
2001  Music Theatre International 
         (New York, NY)

2008  Music Theatre International
         Target Stores

 

   

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