Bay City Players Announces Volunteer Awards and Elected Officers

Bay City Players, Michigan's oldest continuously operating community theatre, held its annual membership meeting recently and recognized top volunteers for the organization.

Four recipients were chosen for the prestigious Ken & Dorothy Arnett award. First, Judy Miller who is a current board member and has chaired many of the board committees, including the budget committee and nominations committee. Second, is Denise Avery, another board member, distinguished volunteer, known for her organizational skill, eye for detail and marketing savvy heading up the marketing committee. Third, John Van Looy who was honored as the chairperson of the committee most often forgotten, Lighting. John is often called on at the last minute to aim lights. He has never said no when asked to do anything for the Bay City Players. John is a former board member, board president, actor, etc. Fourth, Frank Bradley was also honored for his very long history with Bay City Players. Frank has been an actor (22 shows) director, board member, member of the Recyclables. He is a fine example of a Bay City Player. Frank said it is a great pleasure to be honored by the BCP. He started volunteering his time in 1958 and remembers when plays often had standing room only, how "Death of a Salesman" was postponed due to the assassination of President Kennedy, and working with Dorothy Arnett in "A Streetcar Named Desire".

Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to Margaret Bird, Kathy Meyers, Barb Skowronski, Lisa Sternberg and Mary Davidson who came forward to help with computerization of the box office. Loree Tipmore who oversees 160 elementary school students, 50 high school student directors, and rehearsals 2 evenings a week for our Youtheatre program. Nate Cholger who literally stepped into the biggest show of the season at the last minute to lend a hand.

The Players Board of Directors also elected officers. Officers for the 2010-2011 year are:

· President - Mike Wisniewski of Bay City

· First Vice-President - Kunio Ouellette of Essexville

· Second Vice-President - Susan Meade of Bay City

· Secretary - Michael Dunckel of Bay City

Other members of the Board of Directors are Kyle Arnett of Midland, Denise Avery of Midland, Greg Burke of Bay City, Nathan Cholger of Bay City, Carol Huskins of Essexville, Tom Knaub of Saginaw, Susan Lindow of Bay City, Judy Miller of Bay City, John Tanner of Auburn, Tracy Teich of Bay City with Shelby Avery of Midland as Student Representative. Marty Kovacsi and Leeds Bird of Bay City also serve as an Honorary President.

The Board thanked and recognized outgoing members: Leeds Bird of Bay City, Jim Gillespie of Bay City and Barb Handley-Miller of Bay City. The Board also re-appointed Pam Revette of Frankenmuth as Treasurer for the organization for the 2010-2011 season.