AWARDS
Each year, Theatre Guild recognizes performance and volunteer excellence through multiple awards.
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2008-09 Season Theatre Award Recipients |
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Florence Slagh Curtain Call Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role:
Peter Brooks of Midland as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. |
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Mahlon E. Sharp Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role:
Carol Rumba of Midland as Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown. |
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Best Performance in an Ensemble Role:
Adam Gardner of Auburn in Urinetown |
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Caparon Stagecrafter Award:
Dave Wirth of Midland in honor and recognition of his many years of volunteer technical theatre service to Theatre Guild. |
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Peanut Gallery Wee Kinderspiel Award:
Amy Meilink of Midland in recognition of her dedication and outstanding contribution to children’s theatre. |
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See photos
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2008-09 Season Peanut Gallery scholarships were awarded to the following Midland residents:
Emma Clayton, daughter of David and Denyse Clayton, for Blue Lake Camp; Maribeth Robertson daughter of Bill and Linda Robertson, studying music education at the University of Michigan; Monica Spencer, daughter of Michael and Kimberly Spencer, to attend California Pacific College of Performing Arts. |
The Florence Slagh Curtain Call Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role: Florence Slagh was the first president/chairman of Theatre Guild when it began in 1929. She directed its first show "The Goose Hangs High." She also directed the first show “Polly With a Past” at Theatre Guild’s new permanent home: the Post Street School. In the fall of 1940, Florence Slagh directed "Our Town" which was presented on the new high school stage as part of the opening festivities for the building. That stage is the current remodeled stage at Central Middle School.
The "Curtain Call Award" for best performance of season was renamed the Florence Slagh Curtain Call Award in June, 1979 when Theatre Guild celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Mahlon E. Sharp Award for Best Supporting Role: Mahlon “Ripp” Sharp joined the Theatre Guild one week after arriving in Midland in 1941. His theatrical history included everything from set builder to designer to performer. “Ripp” served as Guild President five times during his participation with Theatre Guild. He received the Best Performance Award for his performances in 1974-75 for “The Price” and in 1982-83 for “On Golden Pond.” He also was the recipient of the Best Supporting Actor award in 1990-91 for “Broadway Bound.” After his retirement from The Dow Chemical Company, he became a professional actor appearing with the Detroit Repertory Theatre, the “Illinois Circa ’21” Theatre Company, The Old Creamery Theatre of Iowa, and many others. He appeared as Tommy Bones in the movie, “Only the Lonely”.
The Caparon Stagecrafter Award: Thirteen construction bolts were saved when Larkin Street Playhouse, the original site for Theatre Guild performances, was demolished in 1967. Two years later the Stagecrafter Award was initiated and the bolts seemed an appropriate tribute to superior backstage volunteer achievement. Only two original bolts have been returned – one was immediately recycled and presented to Michael Caparon in 1970, who then became the first recipient of the Stagecrafter Award; Bob Johns received this “bolt” again in 1987. The second “bolt” was given returned by Gordon Lee in 1977. This second “bolt” now hangs in the Little Theatre Lobby as a tribute to all who receive this award. Each year a new recipient is elected by the nominating committee. Their name is placed on an adjoining plaque. The award was renamed the Caparon Stagecrafter Award in 2007 in honor of Mike and Bernie Caparon and their many years of dedication to Theatre Guild.
The Wee Kinderspiel Award: Established in 1980, The Wee Kinderspiel Award honors dedicated adults who have volunteered their time and talent working with the youth in Peanut Gallery productions. Each year the Peanut Gallery Committee, at the end of the season, presents the award for years of outstanding contributions and volunteer service to Peanut Gallery’s youth theatre. “Wee Kinderspiel” means “small children’s theatre.” The first recipient of the Wee Kinderspiel award was Ora Flaningam in 1980.
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