National Honors Bestowed on Theatre Memphis

The American Association of Community Theatres held its AACTFest convention in Rochester, NY, June 20-26, 2011, and Theatre Memphis was presented with the 2010 Twink Lynch Award which recognizes the successful completion of major steps in new directions, expanding services to the community, and moving to the next level of organizational development. Member theatres must be nominated and then submit supporting data for the award criteria. The data is reviewed by the selection committee to determine the honoree. Specifically cited by the selection committee was the Theatre Memphis upgrade in facilities, expansion of community outreach through the Outreach and Education Department - ShoWagon, the increase in season and single ticket sales, the adult class curriculum and the balance of annual budgets while increasing operational budgets by almost 50%.

Also at the convention, Theatre Memphis was awarded Special Merit for Integrated Marketing and Design for the show Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Materials entered for that competition included a poster, postcard, jpg images for promotional distribution, email links to the TM website and candy bar wrappers for both milk and dark chocolate bars with coupons for future performances.

A third honor for Theatre Memphis was announced as long-time Theatre Memphis volunteer Bennett Wood was presented with the Robert E. Gard Superior Volunteer Award. That award goes to individuals above the age of 65 who have faithfully served community theatre on a non-paid basis for over 25 years. Cited for his service of over 55 years to Theatre Memphis, Wood has acted, directed, served on the board of directors, the play selection committee, marketing committee and various other committees in that tenure. In 2008 Theatre Memphis honored his long-time service by having custom light fixtures designed by a local artist that now grace the Lohrey Stage auditorium. Wood had been a proponent for many years that the fixtures were needed and as an act of appreciation TM secretly raised funds to have the design, construction/creation and installation become a reality through David Lusk Gallery.

Theatre Memphis Exective Producer Debbie Litch accepted the awards from AACT founder, past president and Theatre Memphis volunteer Bea Miller. Litch stated, "It has been an amazing journey for me and the stellar staff at Theatre Memphis to have joined forces over the past few years and to achieve what some thought to be unachievable. Faced with an aging building, difficult economic times and stiff competition, we have been able to expand our reach into the community by producing a top quality product and engaging our volunteers to new levels of involvement. We can boast a professional level of artistic excellence in everything we do and still be an outlet to our foundation-the volunteers-who give so graciously of their time on and off stage. By focusing on a long-range plan and generating an active board of directors, we continue to accomplish many goals...day by day. Entering our 92nd consecutive year of producing for the community, I give thanks everyday for the opportunity to lead such an historic and vital asset of the arts in Memphis, the MidSouth and America."

Theatre Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended (corner of Perkins and Southern) and is a community theatre whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of our audiences and participants.

Theatre Memphis receives funding from ArtsMemphis, Tennessee Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts.

Visit www.theatrememphis.org or call 901-682-8323 for more information.

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