David Tannous To Receive DC Theatre Scene’s Gary Lee Maker Award 6/11

DC Theatre Scene, the premiere website for theater coverage in metro-Washington, will present the first-ever Gary Lee Maker Audience Award to longtime theatre afficianado David Tannous on Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Washington Shakespeare Company.

The idea to turn the spotlight on a member of the audience came to Lorraine Treanor, publisher of DCTheatreScene.com with the death of longtime friend and theatre supporter, Gary Lee Maker this past February. "Losing Gary made me realize how important people like him are to the theatre community. Without the audience, the performance is just a rehearsal."

The award will be presented annually to one outstanding theater audience member, nominated by the theaters themselves.

Gary Lee Maker was a passionate supporter of Washington area theater. He and his long time partner, the late Paul Desmarais, could often be seen in various theater lobbies, providing encouragement and support to artists and producers. "He was the kind of audience member every theatre wants to have." Treanor added.

To honor Maker's commitment and participant as an audience member, DC Theatre Scene commissioned Glass artist Teddie Hathaway to create an award that would express the energy and creativity of live performance, as well as the belief that the Gary Lee Marker Award recipients are the stars among audience members. The award features stars in a cobalt blue nighttime sea sky, fitting since Maker served in the Navy, and it is the stars that guide sailors home.

Area theatres nominated patrons, with the final selection made by an Awards Committee. It was unanimous that the perfect first recipient would be another longtime supporter, David Tannous, the man who is famous for seeing every Washington area production not once by several times in the run.

It's the quality of his participation that theatres value the most. "Every performer knows that with David Tannous in the audience, everyone will be particularly responsive and engaged. He raises the energy level considerably from both sides of the stage," said Christopher Henley, Artistic Director of Washington Shakespeare Company, in an interview for WAMU 88.5's Rebecca Sheir for Metro Connection. WSC was one of two companies to nominate David Tannous.

David Tannous, a resident of Annandale,VA is a former art critic and lecturer, who began attending Washington theatre over twenty years ago.

The Gary Lee Maker Audience Award presentation will be made June 11, 2011 at 7:30pm as the curtain opener to Night and Day at Washington Shakespeare Company.

Links:

Gary Lee Maker Award

David Tannous

Maker Award announcement

Metro Connection segment ‘Honoring the Audience’

 

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