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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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2011 Honoree

Jim Sohre

Army Europe
Command Entertainment

 Jim Sohre

 

Jim Sohre began his 37-year career in Army Entertainment as a Music Specialist at Fort Dix, NJ, where he established a Cabaret Theatre, Soldier (Rock) Music Center, Fort Dix Chorus, and Trainee Chorus programs. As Theatre Specialist in Fort Ord, CA, he opened Stilwell Hall dinner theatre. In 1980, he transferred to Mainz, Germany and as the community Entertainment Director created the new Center Stage Theatre and two soldier Music Centers. Five years later he became the Entertainment Director of the Frankfurt Military Community. Jim has been the Army Europe Command Entertainment (Theatre and Music) Director since 1995, first in Heidelberg, and currently in Kaiserslautern, Germany. He has received AACT's Distinguished Merit Award. He has been honored with the Army White Plume Award, the highest possible Morale, Welfare, and Recreation accolade, as well as the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. Jim is the Region X Representative on the AACT Board and chairs the International Committee.

 

 

2011 Honoree

Sherman C. Ward

Alexandria Bay, NY

 Sherman C. Ward

 

Sherman C. Ward, Jr. began his community theatre adventures the week of April 21, 1958 - the week his son Buzz, now Executive Director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, was born. (No time to get to the hospital!) He played Judge Savage in The Curious Savage. In the last 52 years, Sherman has acted in 30 plays, directed 48 productions, and written 19 plays. In addition, many administrative theatre roles have come his way: Board member for six community theatres and President of four. The entire Ward family has been involved in Sherman's theatre adventures. Currently Sherman is the Region II Representative (Eastern States Theatre Association - ESTA) to the AACT Board, a board member of the Little Theatre of Watertown, an adjudicator for the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS), and he compiled 400 pages of ESTA historical archives from 1957-2010. Sherman's agenda has always been the promotion and improvement of community theatre.


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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)

2009  Frank Peot (Sun Prairie, WI)

2010  Tom Cowley (Ponca City, OK)

 

 

 


David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award


Recognizes members of AACT for significant, valuable, and lasting service to community theatre..
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2011 Honoree

Dennis Gilmore

Athens, TX

Dennis Gilmore  

 

Dennis Gilmore has been involved with theatre since 1982, starting his career as a producer for professional theatre in Chicago. After moving to Athens in 1987, he created the position of Executive Director for the Henderson County Performing Arts Center (HCPAC). He received his Master of Arts degree with over 36 hours of theatre with an emphasis on directing from Stephen F. Austin State University. He has held the position of Executive Director at HCPAC since 1989. During that time, he has directed over 200 plays and over 250 children's productions. As a board member of Texas Nonprofit Theatres he initiated the state youth conference and was its chairman for the first ten years. As a member of the American Association of Community Theatre, he presently serves as Vice President of Education. In 2003, Dennis co-founded Act I Productions, a community theatre based in DeSoto, Texas. The theatre has won artistic recognition since its inception.

 

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)

2010  Dwight Martin (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.

 

2011 Honoree

April Cochran

Paducah, KY

April Cochran

 

April Cochran has been the Education Director for Market House Theatre (MHT) in Paducah, KY for 12 years. She previously served as MHT's Artistic and Executive Director for 10 years and has over 150 main stage and youth theatre directorial credits. She is the founder of Footlights youth acting troupes and Story Theatre school touring outreach programs for MHT, as well as creating its Theatre In Schools program which takes her into pre-K through high school classrooms throughout the Purchase area. She has facilitated AACT's Education Directors Conference and is a past president of the Kentucky Theatre Association (KTA) and recipient of KTA Best Director and Best Actress awards. Recently named a Kentucky Colonel, April has worked as a creative drama specialist and director of children's theatre productions for over 32 years for school systems, parks and recreation programs, professional theatre and community theatres throughout the Midwest. She is a member of MHT's Murder for Hire troupe.

2011 Honoree

Ginny Morrison

Seville, OH

 Ginny Morrison

 

Ginny Morrison has been involved in community theatre for over 40 years. She has directed, produced, choreographed, and performed in over 100 productions. Her passion and strength lie in development of new theatres and youth. She founded the Medina County Show Biz Company in Medina, OH, serving in all capacities for over 17 years. She developed a new theatre, Galaxy Players in Wadsworth, and created a youth theatre group in Summit County where she worked with "at risk" youth. Ginny and husband Jim began their own youth theatre company, Morrison Playmakers, Inc. The youth productions were her pride and joy and taking productions to OCTA Jr. (winning three of five years) was a marvelous experience for both her and the youth. Ginny has served on the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) Board for over 16 years, filling every office, including six terms as President. Ginny is the Region III Representative to the AACT Board.

 

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)

2010  Penelope Notter (Grand Rapids, 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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2011 Honoree

Geri Becker

Venice, FL

Geri Becker 

 

Geri Becker was raised in Rochester, NY. Her first stop after college and finding a job was the Rochester Community Players. She had been bitten by the acting bug in college and performed in community theatres in the DC area. When she moved to Florida, Venice Little Theatre (now Venice Theatre) quickly became her alternate home and family. She has volunteered in every capacity since 1963. In the early days, she did it all - acting, directing, costumes, set construction and decoration, play selection, board member, box office, renovations, demolition crew, fundraiser, programs, advertising -- whatever! Geri is thrilled at the growth of Venice Theatre and very proud to have been part of the movers and shakers in the 1970s when the present building was bought. Geri still volunteers but limits herself to box office, ushering, and house management. Her daughter met her husband while in the cast of Oklahoma - truly a theatre family.

 

2011 Honoree

Wayne Pressnall


North Platte, NE

 Wayne Pressnall

 

Wayne Pressnall began acting at age four under the tutelage of his granddad, an old tent show actor. But science lead him to become a teacher. Two degrees, a wife, and two children later he tried out for a show at the North Platte (NE) Community Playhouse (NPCP). He has stayed for over 37 years; 35 as a Board member. He has acted, directed, and built sets. But people think of Wayne as the "Light Guy." He is involved in the lighting of every production: running the board, engineering the lighting scheme, or instructing others. When NPCP acquired an historic theatre, Wayne assisted in the remodeling and with the lighting. Although nearly 80, he can still be found at the Playhouse daily, performing maintenance, setting lights, or doing what ever is needed. Without Wayne's willingness to give of his time, many of the accomplishments made by the Playhouse would not have been possible.

 

2011 Honoree

Bennett Wood


Memphis, TN

 Bennett Wood

 

Bennett Wood first appeared on stage as George Washington in a second-grade historical pageant. He was hooked. He continued to act through high school and college (Yale), where he began to direct as well. His first role at Theatre Memphis (then called Memphis Little Theatre) was in 1953. Since then he has acted in more than 45 productions, and directed more than 30. He retired from his day job (advertising copywriter) in 1994, enabling him to practice fulltime his true calling -- hanging out at Theatre Memphis. His roles include Dysart in Equus, Elyot in Private Lives, Caesar in Caesar and Cleopatra, Boss Finley in Sweet Bird of Youth, Dr. Sloper in The Heiress, Drummond in Inherit the Wind and The Stage Manager in Our Town. His Theatre Memphis directing credits include She Loves Me, Follies, Medea, Suddenly Last Summer, Musical of Musicals (the Musical) and Souvenir. In 1975 his production of Schubert's Last Serenade won the national AACTFest competition.

 

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)

2010  Arthur Delo, Jr. (Jersey City, NJ)

         Martha Kovacsi (Bay City, MI)

         Madge Levinson (Toldeo, OH)

   

Special Recognition Award


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

2011 Honoree

Ruth Legg


Geneva, NY

 Ruth Legg

 

Ruth Legg became involved with community theatre as a college student, directing summer productions for the Geneva (NY) Players. She joined the staff of Finger Lakes Community College in 1967. After six years as the PR director, she headed the theatre program until her retirement. She has been involved with the Theatre Association of New York State since 1987, serving as a Roving Adjudicator, President, and chairing four TANYS Festivals and an ESTA Festival. She has adjudicated festivals in four states, two ESTAFest/Original Works Festivals, and the Region III Festival. She has received the Mary Eva Duthie Award for Outstanding Contributions to Theatre in New York State. Ruth has directed and designed over 100 college and community theatre productions, co-authored a children's play and is a TANYS award-winning director and designer for her work with the Geneva Theatre Guild. She is President of the Eastern States Theatre Association (ESTA), member of the AACT Board, and national co-chair of AACTFest11.

 

2011 Honoree

L. Ross Rowland


Muncie, IN

L. Ross Rowland  

 

L. Ross Rowland holds degrees in theatre and law and is a practicing attorney who enjoys acting. Ross served as President of Theatre USA, national center of the International Amateur Theatre Association (IATA). He is past president of AACT, the Indiana Community Theatre League, Muncie Civic Theatre, Heartland Stage Company, and the Delaware County Council for the Arts. He has served as chair of the Indiana Arts Commission's Theatre Advisory Council. Ross has adjudicated festivals in the states and in Korea, Japan, Germany, Ireland, and an AACT international festival. He was named Honorary Friendly Ambassador in Japan. Ross chaired the IATA Congress six times. The Indiana Theatre Association recognized him as Theatre Person of the Year. Ross is an AACT Fellow and recipient of the Art Cole Award. He has served AACT on the Festival Commission and as chair of the International and Bylaws Review Committees. He continues to serve AACT as legal counsel and parliamentarian.

 

 

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)

2010  Dan LaMorte (US Army, Europe)

 


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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2011 Honoree

Fargo-Moorhead

Community

Theatre

North Dakota-Minnesota

 

 

The Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) serves communities in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. It was founded in 1946, but didn't have a permanent home until 1967. Today over 1,200 volunteers of all ages and abilities work to produce high quality theatre productions to enrich and educate patrons from all over the area. In 2009 FMCT unveiled its Community Collaboration Initiative that welcomes five other theatre and music companies to present their productions on the FMCT stage. FMCT officially launched its Children's Studio Theatre in the 2008-2009 season and dedicated new and innovative programming to enable youth to grow as artists and deepen their appreciation for the arts. FMCT also produces the only theatrical performance opportunity in the area for seniors over the age of 50 with the Silver Follies musical each year. The average age of the participants is 70 years old. FMCT is dedicated to growing and enriching the quality of life as the communities' theatre.

 

 

2011 Honoree

Theatre

Memphis

Memphis, TN

 Theatre Memphis

 

Theatre Memphis was established in 1922 as the Little Theatre of Memphis Players Association, although the curtain was first raised on May 20, 1920. Fifty-six initial members grew to an all time high member count of over 9000 in the 1990s. Theatre Memphis now consists of 14 full time staff members and a volunteer base of over 700. The past seven years has seen TM upgrade facilities, expand community outreach, and balance annual budgets while increasing operational budgets by almost 50%. Staff and volunteers produce new work and classic material each year consisting of musicals, comedies, dramas, and original cabarets, which are regularly recognized with an abundance of annual Memphis theatre awards. Theatre Memphis also has a Department of Outreach and Education producing ShoWagon, that tours original and adapted tales for children throughout the MidSouth, and conducts classes for youth and adults.

 

 

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)

2010  Twin City Stage (Winston-Salem, NC)

 


Corporate Award


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

 

 

2011 Honoree

SC Johnson

Racine, WI
 

SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace, and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. SC Johnson has supported community artistic endeavors and growth through several avenues. A company sponsored volunteer network assists in volunteer recruitment. The SC Johnson "Dollars for Doers" program provides cash donations in return for volunteer hours, providing tangible rewards to Johnson employees and their organizations. The SC Johnson Fund has awarded matching grants that have been instrumental in theatres' growth. In its headquarters town, Racine, WI, SC Johnson partners with theatres for educational and children's theatre programs through its Golden Rondelle Theatre. The 125-year-old company, with more than $8 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. SC Johnson previously received AACT's Corporate Award in 1994 and is still committed to community support.

.
Previous Recipients  
1987  Southwestern Bell (Topeka, KS)
1992  General Mills 
1993  Martin Marietta Energy Systems
         (Knoxville, TN)
1994  S.C. 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

2010  Manhattan Tour & Travel, Inc.

 

   

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