Bradenton Resident to Receive National Theatre Award

Rick Kerby of Bradenton, Florida is being honored with the AACT Fellow Award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The award will be presented at an awards ceremony during the AACT National Community Theatre Festival, AACTFest 2015, in Grand Rapids, Michigan June 23-27, 2015.

The AACT Fellow Award is bestowed upon those members of AACT who over a period of years have contributed significantly to the idea and ideal of community theatre.

Prior to his move to Florida, Rick Kerby was Entertainment Director for the USO of Metropolitan New York and organizer of the Miss USO Contest. Other directorial credits include productions at professional theatres in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia, New Hampshire, New York City, New Orleans, and for many prominent cruise lines. He has served on the faculties of Wagner College on Staten Island and the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in New York City. Rick is currently Producing Artistic Director of Manatee Players, where he was named Best Director at the Florida Theatre Conference, three-time winner as Best Director at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), and two-time winner as Best Director at the national AACTFest. He has served as an adjudicator for professional theatres for the Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs. Rick is starting his third term as President of the Florida Theatre Conference. He is past President of the Florida Association of Community Theatres and has served as Community Theatre Festival Chair for the Southeastern Theatre Conference. For AACT, Rick has served as the Florida State Contact, and Committee Chair for Membership, and currently serves as Board Member at Large, and as an Executive Committee Member.