David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award

Ray Tatar (California) is being honored with the David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award. Ray holds a Master of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley’s Scholar-Director Program and has dedicated his career to advancing theatre through leadership, education, and public service.

He has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including serving as the first Executive Director of the Los Angeles Theater Alliance, chairing the Los Angeles Area Dance Alliance, and contributing to the Hollywood Arts Council. He also co-wrote a history of Los Angeles theatre, first published in 1979 and reprinted in 1984.

His impact on the broader theatre community includes more than 25 years as an Organizational Grants Administrator with the California Arts Council, where he established the first site visit program and supported theatre organizations across the state. He also served for 12 years as a consultant with the National Endowment for the Arts Theater Program.

Through decades of leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, Ray has helped strengthen the infrastructure of community theatre at every level.

Hugh Thompson (Newbury, New Hampshire) is being honored with the David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award. Hugh has been involved in community theatre in Massachusetts for more than 40 years, contributing his time and expertise to organizations including the Winchester Players and The Burlington Players.

Throughout his career, Hugh has served in a variety of roles, including lighting designer, producer, and board member, supporting productions both onstage and behind the scenes. His recent lighting design for The Book of Will with The Burlington Players received a Best Lighting nomination at the 2025 EMACT DASH Awards.

In addition to his artistic contributions, Hugh has provided important leadership within the broader theatre community, including serving as Treasurer of the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres (EMACT).

2025 Marc Edson (Chico, CA)
    Larry Pint (New Prague, MN)
2024 Mary Lou Britton (Grosse Pointe, MI)
    John Rich (Pullman, WA)
2023 Albert J. (A.J.) Kalanick (Billings, MT)
2022 Susan Harrington (Roslindale, MA)
2020 Donna Fisher (Casper, WY)
    Norm McPhee* (Racine, WI)
2019 Bayless Eugene Irby (Artesia, NM)
2018 Jerry Brees (U.S. Army IMCOM Europe Entertainment, Italy)
    Michael Spicer (Salina, KS)
    Lynn Nelson (Tupelo, MS)
2017 Joan Luther (Naples, NY)
    Jon Douglas Rake (Tacoma, WA)
2016 Tom Cordingley (Helena, MT)
    Zada & Earl Jahnsen (Bulverde, TX)

2015 Victoria Hanrahan (Ansbach, Germany)
    Lou Vander Have (Grand Rapids, MI)
2014 Harriet Friedman (Waltham, MA)
    Dotti Peek* (New Palestine, IN)
2013 Christi Thomas (Sidney, OH)
2012 Paul Nelson (Olean, NY)
    Ron Paoletti* (US Army, Europe)
2011 Dennis Gilmore (Athens, TX)
2010 Dwight Martin (Honolulu, HI)
2009 Dane Winters (US Army, Heidelberg)
2008 Vanita Rae Smith (Honolulu, HI)
2007 David Allen (Memphis, TN)
    Nick Credgington (Fort Belvoir, VA)
    Ginger Heath (Charlotte, NC)
2006 Steve Walpert (Fort Gordon, GA)
2005 Norm Small (Winter Haven, FL)
2004 Eleanor Smith (Columbus, OH)