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.
.
|
2010 Honoree
Tom Cowley
Ponca City, OK |
|
|
Tom Cowley has been involved in community theatre for more than 50 years. He has taken part in nearly all aspects of the community theatre experience. His initial interest was in acting, performing over 50 roles for his local theatre. He later added directing and has directed 20 shows. His technical support of other directors adds another 100 shows. Tom served on his local theatre board for 18 years. Tom's interests expanded to other theatres. He served on the board of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association for 18 years becoming its longest serving president. He served on the Southwest Theatre Association board for 4 years, chairing the Community Theatre Division. Tom came into contact with AACT through AACTFest. He has served on the AACT board for the past eight years in various capacities, currently as VP Planning and Development. Tom plans on continuing in community theatre for an additional 50 years.
. |
| 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)
2009 Frank Peot
(Sun Prairie, WI)
|
David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award
Recognizes members of AACT for significant, valuable, and lasting service to community theatre..
.
|
2010 Honoree
Dwight Martin
Honolulu, HI |
|
Dwight Martin has been Producing Director of Manoa Valley Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii since 1980. He studied theatre arts at Indiana University and Southwest Missouri State University, earning a BFA. He has worked professionally in theatre management since 1977. Dwight began performing at age eight and continued through high school, when stationed as a foreign service dependant in Kabul, Afghanistan. He has performed and guest directed with companies in Missouri, North Carolina, Arizona, and Hawaii. He was President of the North Carolina Association of Professional Theatres in 1980, and served on the grant review panel for the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & The Arts from 1982-84. Dwight has served since 1994 as AACT State Contact for Hawaii. He is a past President and continues to serve on the board of Hawaii State Theatre Council (HSTC). He is the 2000 Recipient of the HSTC Pierre Bowman Award for lifetime achievement.
| 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
2009 Dane Winters (US Army, Heidelberg)
|
Distinguished Merit Award
Presented to individuals and organizations in recognition of contributions made to promote and develop the highest standards for community theatre.
|
2010 Honoree
Penelope Notter
Grand Rapids, MI |
 |
Penelope Notter began her community theatre career 30 years ago when she joined a volunteer organization in Terre Haute, Indiana. Today she is a 17-year-veteran of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (GRCT). The theatre's Associate Director, Penelope has more than 50 main stage and children's directorial credits. As the theatre's Education Director, Penelope manages a year-round, full-curriculum for ages four and up. She has served as board member and workshop leader for both the Community Theatre Association of Michigan (CTAM) and AACT, and served as AACT's Workshops Chairperson for five national AACTFests (1999-2008). She has both facilitated and chaired AACT's Education Directors Conference. Penelope's talent has been recognized throughout her career and includes two GRCT Grand Awards: Best Director for a Musical and Best Supporting Actress. In 2009, CTAM honored Penelope with the Robert A. McKenna Community Theatre Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to state and local theatre.
| 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)
2009 Bonnie Daniels
(US Army)
Andre Bruce Ward (Memphis, TN) |
| |
|
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.
.
|
2010 Honoree
Arthur
Delo, Jr.
Jersey City, NJ |
 |
Art Delo took a "temporary leave" from Actor's Equity in 1972. Missing theatre, he joined the fledgling Attic Ensemble in Jersey City, NJ, and 38 years later he's still there. While occasionally appearing at other North Jersey theatres, he has served the Attic in many capacities including President, and has been the Artistic Director for the last eight years. Art has about 120 acting credits, has directed 15 shows, and has worked backstage or front of house on too many productions to count. Attic Ensemble credits Art with securing a home for the theatre in 1977 and again in 1997 when the building was sold. In 1986 it was Art who gained the commitment of newer volunteers to keep the Attic alive. A resident of West Orange, NJ, he represents public employees as the Associate Director of AFSCME Council 52. He is a 1963 graduate of Fordham University and a Viet Nam vet.
|
2010 Honoree
Martha Kovacsi
Bay
City, MI |
 |
Martha "Marty" Kovacsi has served the Bay City (MI) Players for more than 40 years, including directing, acting, working backstage, managing the box office, fundraising, and serving on the Board as Secretary, Treasurer, and President. She moved to Bay City with her husband and two small children. A neighbor invited her to auditions and she was hooked! She believes strongly in community theatre, and has devoted a major portion of her adult life ensuring that it lives and stays strong in Bay County, Michigan. Although now in her 80's, Marty is still very active. She was selected as the first Honorary President, serving as a "wise sage" on the Board. Marty has a strong interest in working with and guiding younger volunteers. She serves as a liaison between Bay City Players and statewide and national theatre organizations, attending conferences, and bringing information back to the Board and volunteers.
|
2010 Honoree
Madge Levinson
Toledo,
OH |
 |
Madge Levinson, 85, has served the Toledo Repertoire for 40 years. She currently coordinates the Rep's Young Playgoer's touring program. She says "My first recollection of being on stage was when I was in second grade - and I have been acting ever since." Madge was active in community theatres in Indianapolis and Gary, IN, and Cleveland, before she and her husband, in 1969, moved to Toledo and raised their family. Madge acted, directed, served on the boards and committees of the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, Village Players, North Coast Theatre, and several other theatre groups. At the age of 85, Madge has a new and active career in film. She portrays Sigourney Weaver's mother in "Prayers for Bobby" (2009), and appeared last year in Drew Barrymore's "Whip It!" and Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino." However, Mrs. Levinson's first love and most impressive achievement is her contribution to American community theatre as a decades-long volunteer.
| 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)
2009 Rae Cohan (Newport Beach, CA)
Max
Polley (Davidson, NC)
Willa Wye
Rockett (Belmont, MA)
|
| |
|
Special Recognition Award
Presented to persons or organizations whose
contributions to community theatre are far reaching and of a special nature.
.
|
2010 Honoree
Dan LaMorte
US Army, Europe |
 |
Dan LaMorte has been instrumental in the growth and development of the Army Europe community theatre program. Beginning in 2001, he brought 25 years of professional experience to the job as he adjudicated the One Act Fests (Region X festival) and the Tournament of (full-length) Plays program. His directing and acting seminars and workshops improved the talent pool throughout Europe. He developed a mentoring program, directed shows, and nurtured hundreds of volunteers. Since 2005 Dan has served as the Entertainment Director and Artistic/Managing Director for the SHAPE Performing Arts Centre in Belgium. He has substantially upgraded the facility and the programming, tripled the volunteer corps, and doubled the audience. Dan's productions have represented Region X in the past two national AACTFests. In 2004, his production of The Last Five Years represented the USA at the Liverpool International Theatre Festival. Dan was named the Army-wide MWR Recreation Employee for 2009.
| 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)
2009 Robert G. Anderson (Starkville, MS)
John
Kollack (Clarkesville, GA)
|
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.
.
|
2010 Honoree
Twin City Stage
Winston-Salem,
NC |
 |
Twin City Stage began as The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, Inc. in 1935. Its 75th Season (2009-2010) introduced a name change: Twin City Stage, with a tag line inviting patrons to "Put a Little Theatre in your life!" The tag line pays homage to the Theatre's history and helps minimize confusion. Next season, Twin City Stage will complete a merger with The Children's Theatre of Winston-Salem, operating the two "brands" under one roof. Twin City Stage will continue as an adult community theatre while the Children's Theatre will offer programming both by professionals for young people and by amateurs for young audiences, and will continue to offer classes in theatre for all ages. After several years of transitions, the new image is creating a more professional feel for the organization, ties it more closely to the city of Winston-Salem, and better represents the professional, contemporary product offered by the Theatre.
| 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)
2009 Venice Theatre (Venice, FL)
|
Corporate Award
Presented to businesses and corporations for significant financial support of community theatre on a regional or national basis.
|
2010 Honoree
Manhattan Tour
& Travel, Inc.
|
 |
Sandy Levitt started Manhattan Tour & Travel (MTAT) in 1990 to design outstanding, fun, affordable educational theatre trips to New York City for students. When the tragedy of 9/11 happened, he almost lost the business. That's when it expanded to include more adult groups, and trips to Chicago. Working with AACT was a natural fit! Community theatres across the country soon found Manhattan Tour & Travel a wonderful partner in the growing business of fundraising patron trips. MTAT exhibited at the 2004 AACT NYC Convention. Almost immediately, MTAT offered its assistance and connections, without charge to AACT, to make the 2008 convention more exciting and easier to organize. Based in the heart of Manhattan and staffed with professional theatre artists, MTAT helped locate facilities, talent, tickets, and even conducted a workshop. The 2012 convention is now in the planning stages and Manhattan Tour & Travel is standing by to help.
.
| 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
2009 Theatrical Rights
Worldwide
|
| |
|
Top of Page
|
|
 |
|
