East Lynne Theater Company Receives Award Of Achievement At Two River's Applause Award Gala

On Monday, October 26, East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) received an "Award of Achievement" at the New Jersey Theatre Alliances' (NJTA) annual Applause Award gala at Two River Theater Company in Red Bank, NJ. On the lovely stand-up oval glass award with a star in the corner, is the statement honoring ELTC "for 30 years of celebrating America's heritage through productions and educational programs."

Presenting the award was Steve Steiner, Artistic Director of Surflight Theatre located in Beach Haven, NJ, who noted in his speech that ELTC has produced 135 different plays and musicals, including 39 world premieres and 12 NJ premieres, and was asked by the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute at Ohio State University, to house ELTC's archives. He also cited the robust touring and educational programs ranging from Elderhostels to student workshops.

Accepting the award was Artistic Director Gayle Stahlhuth, who has helmed the company since 1999. In her speech, she explained that when Warren Kliewer founded the company in 1980, it was the only Equity professional theater in the country with a mission of commitment to early and forgotten American plays. Since she first acted with ELTC in 1981, she found the mission challenging and exciting, and for 10 years served as a Board Member, functioning at different times as President, Treasurer, and Secretary. She acknowledged that she would not be able to currently helm ELTC if it were not for the passion, inspiration, and commitment of Technical Director Lee O'Connor, Board President Frank Smith, who were both at the event, and Members of the Board, two of which were present: Marguerite Chandler and Karen Case Cook. Gayle and Frank had previously received "Applause Awards" at past NJTA galas for their staunch support of theater in the Garden State.

The other recipient of an "Achievement of Excellence Award" was Paper Mill Playhouse, for being the "guardian of the American musical" for 70 years, producing both American classics and world premiers, several of which have moved to Broadway.

The "Achievement of Excellence Awards" are not given every year, but NJTA always honors individuals or organizations that support the arts in extraordinary ways. This year, Abby O'Neill, who is past-President of the Board of Trustees of NJTA, received the "Star Award." Carol A. Herbert, who recently stepped down as Board Chair of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, received the "Award of Appreciation."

The New Jersey Theatre Alliance is the consortium of professional, not-for-profit theatres in New Jersey. Founded in 1981, it is the only statewide service organization for professional, not-for-profit theater companies in the United States and is viewed by New Jersey's arts community and its colleagues in the service industry nationwide as a leader in developing model programs which foster collaboration, cooperation and audience development. It exists to promote and develop professional theaters in the Garden State.

For further information regarding ELTC's production season, touring shows, or educational outreach, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. The office is located at 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, and the performance venue is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., in Cape May.

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