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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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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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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2011 Honoree Ruth Legg Geneva, NY

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 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.

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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