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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY THEATRE


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National Awards
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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2008 Honoree
Joanne Berry

Bay City, MI

Photo of Joanne Berry

Joanne Berry has been a volunteer with the Bay City Players for 45 years. She is a past president of the Community Theatre Association of Michigan (CTAM) and vice-president of the Theatre Alliance of Michigan. She has served on AACT's Board as Region III Representative and as a member-at-large.

She chairs AACT's Advocacy Committee and serves on the Membership and Workshops Committees. Joanne has represented AACT at national advocacy events in Washington, DC and has written on advocacy for AACT's newsletter, Spotlight. Joanne also serves as CTAM's advocacy chair and is active with ArtServe Michigan, an arts advocacy group. In 2004 she was named Michigan's Arts Advocate of the Year.

For her service to community theatre in Michigan, she received the Robert A. McKenna Award, CTAM's most prestigious award. The Bay City Players has also recognized Joanne for outstanding volunteer service. She was named an AACT Fellow in 2005. Joanne is a retired secondary teacher and former adjunct faculty member at Saginaw Valley State University.
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2008 Honoree
Stephen Peithman
Davis, CA

 

Photo of Stephen Peithman
Over the years, Stephen Peithman has played leading roles and directed community theatre productions. Many were with the Davis Comic Opera Company, for whom he authored two productions, one winning best original script from the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance.

He hosts the weekly radio program, "Musical Stages," on Capital Public Radio, and is author of a series of theatre books. Stephen was founding editor of Stage Directions magazine, and currently serves as Consulting Editor.

Stephen served on the AACT Board and as Vice President of Public Relations, and has been AACT's webmaster from the website's beginning. He has taught writing, literature, American musical theatre, and media studies for several universities. He has led seminars for Elderhostel, and since 1992 he has produced and hosted a fundraising concert for Citizens Who Care, a Sacramento-area organization providing respite services for those who care for the frail elderly.

In his "real" life, Stephen is director of community relations for American River College in Sacramento.
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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)

 


David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award
Recognizes members of AACT for significant, valuable, and lasting service to community theatre..
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2008 Honoree
Vanita Rae Smith
Honolulu, HI

Photo of Vanita Rae Smith

Before graduating from Anderson University in 1967, Vanita Rae Smith was accepted in Army Theatre as a Civil Servant. She launched her career at Ft. Leonard Wood (MO), took a four-year tour to Hawaii, back to Ft. Wood, next to Ft. Knox, KY creating a dinner theatre and building the Glenn Miller Performing Arts Center.

Vanita returned to Hawaii in 1982, moved into the 808-seat Richardson Theatre, founded a nonprofit foundation for funding, and established a partnership with the state, securing inmate labor for sets and maintenance. While producing 40 theatre seasons, Vanita held offices in theatre councils, appeared in 16 biographies, received 58 commendations, including the Army Achievement Medal, directed 124 plays and musicals, including If We Are Women (which represented Region VIII at the national festival in Charlotte), presented 82 Celebrity Concerts and received Hawaii's prestigious Pierre Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her love of theatre and choice to serve has brought much joy. Other opportunities came and went, but her "calling" was clear--to salute her father, PFC Ray Smith, killed in World War II.

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

 


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

2008 Honoree
Jim Buckley
Cambria, CA

Photo of Jim Buckley

Jim Buckley, Founder and Artistic Director of the Pewter Plough Playhouse, is a force of nature in community theatre in Cambria, California--and just maybe beyond.

Following a successful career in department store window design (Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue) and movie and television set design, he and his wife Olga moved to Cambria, a small resort and retirement town near Hearst Castle. The couple opened the Pewter Plough Playhouse in 1976, introducing community theatre to Cambria. Over the past 31+ years, the playhouse has produced five or six plays a year, many from the Golden Age of American Theatre. Jim has designed all of the sets. He has also directed shows and appeared in them.

The playhouse is now a nonprofit organization with community residents on the Board of Directors and Jim as artistic director. Because of Jim Buckley, the Pewter Plough Playhouse is now a community institution--Cambria Performing Arts.

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

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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2008 Honoree
James N. Alexander, III
Haddon Heights, N.J.

Jim Alexander began his theatre life in high school, but took an extended leave while in the military. While serving as theatre manager for the Music Fair summer professional theatre in Camden County, NJ, he returned to the all-volunteer Village Playbox community theatre of Haddon Heights, NJ, where he has served for over 60 years.

Jim penned over 200 local newspaper theatre reviews and was an actor in many shows. In the late 70's he began a successful and rewarding career as director of some 50 Playbox productions, including three state festival winners. Jim served many terms as President of Playbox, taking on added, self-taught jobs, as publicist, set designer and builder.

He was President of the New Jersey Theatre League for ten years, and served as the AACT State Contact for New Jersey for many years.

Jim is a retired human resources manager and an association executive, serves on the library board, is active with his church, and proudly boasts of the accomplishments of his three children and eight grandchildren.

2008 Honoree
Peg Brandon
Winter Haven, FL

Photo of Peg Brandon

Born in Pittsburgh, Peg Brandon moved to Florida at age eight. After graduation from high school she moved to New York and studied at the Provincetown Playhouse.

Peg then returned to Winter Haven, FL and helped form the local playhouse. She performed, sewed costumes, painted scenery, taught acting, swept floors. Peg also volunteered in the early days of Cypress Gardens, planting trees and training the Southern Belles. She and several friends founded The Friendly Players that toured elementary schools for 25 years. But when the old playhouse folded, it was her involvement in the newly formed Theatre Winter Haven in 1970 that spit life back into the local performing arts scene.

Playing roles in Solid Gold Cadillac, Driving Miss Daisy, On Golden Pond, and making the costumes for them as well, Peg carried on with a prompt book and a sewing machine for another 25 years. In 1998 she received the Distinguished Career Award from the Florida Theatre Conference and in 2007, the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Polk County, Florida. She is truly the Grand Dame of Florida Community Theatre.

2008 Honoree
Henry Pope
Walla Walla, WA

Photo of Henry Pope

Henry Pope was born in Spokane, WA in 1916. After high school in Weston, OR, he served in the military, remaining in the reserves until 1978. He returned to Walla Walla, WA in 1948 for a career with the Corps of Engineers. After retiring in 1981, he earned a BA in Religion at Walla Walla College.

During most of his working years Henry was a volunteer in several areas. Perhaps the longest is his more than 35 years with the Little Theatre of Walla Walla (WA). He has been involved with almost every production since the mid-70s. For over 20 years he served as Box Office Manager, scheduling ushers and making sure the theatre was clean, with supplies and concessions ready. He also was on the box office staff, working on Saturday afternoons.

At age 91, Henry still works as head usher. He was honored in 2007 as the recipient of the Award of Merit for the Walla Walla Valley.

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 J ean 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

 


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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2008 Honoree
Victoria L. Hanrahan
Ansbach, Germany

Photo of Angela Hanrahan

Vikki Hanrahan first became involved with community theatre when she was in 4th grade and had a one-line walk-on in Anyone for the Moon. She has been hooked ever since.

After receiving her BA in Drama from the University of California, Irvine, she moved to Germany "to see the world." Instead she became the Theatre Specialist for Stage 13 in Nuernberg, Germany. She is currently the Entertainment Director and Artistic/Managing Director of the Terrace Playhouse in Ansbach, Germany.

Vikki has been active in AACT Region X for 13 years. Under her direction, the Terrace Playhouse represented Region X at the 2003 national AACTFest in Torrington, CT. Since she began her career with the Army Vikki has directed over 100 productions and hosted over 50 shows, including high profile performers. She has also executed innovative programming inclusive of a wide variety of cultures.

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)

 


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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2008 Honoree
SHAPE Performing
Arts Center

Supreme Headquarters
Allied Powers Europe (Belgium)

SHAPE Performing Arts Centre exists to provide diverse theatre programming of the highest quality which stimulates, educates and entertains the SHAPE international community. SHAPE is the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe located in Belgium.

The SHAPE Performing Arts Centre was founded in 1967. The SHAPE Players are an international group of SHAPE community members offering five plays annually and providing a five week youth summer theatre camp. The group won the Region X Festival and performed Wings at the national AACTFest '07 in Charlotte, NC.

During the last few years the organization has undergone major growth, with excellent development plans that may result in a new facility, and earned it the award for "Best Small Installation" Entertainment (Recreation) Program in the US Army for 2007. Already accomplished parts of the plan include expanding the youth program, renovating the current facility, developing a marketing calendar, inaugurating a season subscription series, increasing fund raising to support its artistic vision, conducting a marketing survey, training for volunteers and staff, and partnering with other groups in the community.

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, Stuttgart, Germany


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

2008 Honoree
Target Stores
 

Target Stores support a variety of arts and cultural experiences in their communities, giving local schools and arts organizations resources for outreach and education. Community theatres across the country regularly receive Target grants that help them achieve their missions. Most often, Target grants provide funding for youth programs, classes, and productions. Other grants have assisted with productions such as Oliver!, A Midsummer Night's Dream, All My Sons, and The Crucible. Theatre grants have also included educational outreach programming in St. Joseph, MO, an intergenerational project in Lawrence, KS, Literacy Live! educational outreach in Bradenton, FL, and senior citizen's programs in Whitefish, MO.

A recent survey of AACT member theatres received responses from 22 theatres in 15 states that received Target grants in the past two years totaling over $71,000.

 

2008 Honoree
Music Theatre
International

 

Music Theatre International (MTI) is a leader in the theatrical licensing industry. It has long been a supporter of community theatre's efforts to provide quality productions. MTI has taken a leading role with innovative products and services designed to help ensure the success of each musical production and educational program.

MTI has provided direct support to community theatres through AACT programs. In 2007 MTI underwrote the AACT Endowment fundraising event at the national festival in Charlotte, NC, ensuring travel grants to award wining theatres. MTI presented the winning proposal for AACT's Act Locally, AACT Nationally program, secured the support of composer Stephen Schwartz, developed and provided an extensive packet of program materials, and is underwriting Mr. Schwartz's appearance at the AACT NYC Convention 2008.

Local theatres and AACT continue to benefit from MTI's ongoing financial support of the program, which runs through 2009. MTI's commitment to community theatre helps musical theatre flourish around the world.
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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)

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