Robert E. Gard Award
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2020 Honorees
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Previous Recipients
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2019 Carl and Jane Moore (Midland, Texas) |
2008 James N. Alexander, III* (Haddon Heights, NJ) |
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Susie Polito (Midland, Michigan) is “a force to be reckoned with,” according to the Midland Center for the Arts. “In our region, her name is synonymous with community theatre. She is one of those volunteers who comes around once a generation, and when she wants something done, she does it.” In addition to her time on stage, which began 40 years ago, Susie has directed numerous productions, including a 2009 production of To Kill a Mockingbird that fostered a relationship with Northwood University and the Dow Chemical diversity network. She serves as a mentor to young artists, giving them encouragement and confidence, and has served on theatre committees, task forces, and the Board of Directors. In addition to her many volunteer efforts, Susie also ran the theatre program at Northwood University, in Midland.
Debra Robison (Tupelo, Mississippi) attended an audition at the Lyric Theatre, home of Tupelo Community Theatre (TCT), in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1994 for Hello Dolly!—and was cast in the chorus. Little did anyone know that her tenure with TCT would last more than a quarter of a century, and that she would mean so much to the organization. A talented pianist and singer, Debra found TCT a perfect outlet. She served as a volunteer music director for many musicals, occasionally stepping in when another musical director left. She was first elected to the board of TCT in 2000, and has served a total of more than 15 years, currently completing her second year as President. Debra has served on every committee and has been a driving force in TCT’s success and phenomenal growth. As a paralegal with a local law firm, Debra lends that expertise to TCT as well – volunteering countless hours, writing and procuring much-needed grants.
Charles Wilson (Lynn Haven, Florida) formed the Kaleidoscope Theatre in 1971, with fellow Bay High teacher Anna Kelley. Charlie wrote the company’s first production, using mostly students from his class as actors. There were 13 people in the first audience, and 18 actors on stage. To date (nearly 50 years later) his company has mounted nearly 300 productions. Although Kaleidoscope Theatre’s building was destroyed by Hurricane Michael in 2018, the rebuilding was accelerated significantly because Charlie had already designed a new facility with plans both on paper and as a physical model. His continued involvement included directing, acting, designing and building logos, sets, and costumes, while serving on the Board of Directors. “Charlie Wilson has been the heart of Kaleidoscope for all these years,” says its Board of Directors. “When we needed a show, he wrote one; when we needed costumes, he learned to design and sew; when we needed a set, he designed and built it. Charlie has done it all.
This award is named in honor of Robert E. Gard, because of his lifetime commitment to theatre at the grassroots level. He taught playwriting at the University of Kansas and at Cornell, became a fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation, Humanities Division, and remained a fellow, and held numerous Rockefeller Foundation grants for many years. He later helped to found, with Professor Alexander M. Drummond, the New York State Playwriting Project, and helped to establish a statewide training program for New York State playwrights. In 1945 he received an offer to join the faculty of the University of Wisconsin, where he established the Wisconsin Idea Theatre Conference. He remained as director of Arts Development until, at age 70, he retired from all administrative duties. Gard founded the National Community Theatre Center in 1958 and conducted a national survey of the American Community Theatre in 1957-1958 for the Rockefeller Foundation. In 1967 Gard led a team, which surveyed the American Theatre for the National Theatre Conference. In 1967 he received the first large grant made by the National Endowment for the Arts for work with smaller communities.
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Robert E. Gard Superior Volunteer
Presented to volunteers over 65 who have faithfully served community theatre for over 25 years
