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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David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award

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

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.

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.

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.

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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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.

Corporate Award

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

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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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