Piers Bateman (Waco, Texas) has been active in the arts community in Texas for decades, contributing as a volunteer, participant, administrator, and supporter of numerous arts organizations.

He has served as a director and officer for organizations including the Waco Art Center, the Waco Symphony Association, and Waco Civic Theatre. In retirement, he has continued performing in community theatre productions while supporting the cultural vitality of Central Texas.

Ronald Boyle (Jonesville, Michigan) began his community theatre journey with The Sauk in 1993 as a member of the stage crew before expanding into stage management, acting, directing, set construction, youth workshops, and costumes.

His dedication to community theatre and arts education has earned honors including the Jonesville Citizen of the Year Award, the Clint Johnson Award, and Hillsdale County Artist of the Year.

Daniel L. Crile (Daytona Beach, Florida) first appeared on the Daytona Playhouse stage in 1976 and recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with the organization.

In addition to nearly 60 productions onstage, Crile has served on the Daytona Playhouse Board of Directors for nearly 30 years, including ten as President, and helped organize and oversee three major facility renovations.

Al Downey (West Des Moines, Iowa) first stepped onto the stage in 1960 and quickly discovered a lifelong passion for community theatre.

Over the decades, he has contributed both onstage and behind the scenes through acting, backstage work, lighting and sound operation, stage management for more than 25 productions, and ushering at the Des Moines Playhouse, which he considers his second home.

Kathryn G. Ferguson (Desert Hot Springs, California) has spent nearly four decades contributing to the theatrical community in the deserts of Southern California.

Whether performing onstage, directing productions, or working behind the scenes in costume construction and design, Ferguson has helped foster creativity, confidence, and a lasting appreciation for the arts across multiple generations.

Norma Frank (Hickory, North Carolina) first became involved with Hickory Community Theatre in the early 1980s, contributing through rehearsal support, costume work, front of house service, Theatre Guild involvement, and board leadership.

Earlier in her career, Frank worked as a stage and screen actor in Hollywood, later returning to the stage locally in productions including Working, Driving Miss Daisy, Mary Poppins, and On Golden Pond.

Kevin Gunther Sr. (Old Bridge, New Jersey) has been involved in theatre for more than 55 years, contributing both onstage and behind the scenes throughout the Central New Jersey community theatre and educational theatre landscape.

A founding member of the Main Street Theatre Company Board of Trustees, Gunther has served on the board for 35 years while providing technical expertise, lighting design, set design, mentorship, and production support throughout the region.

Mary Lou and Kim Martin (Baytown, Texas) are longtime members of Baytown Little Theater and active participants in AACT and the Theatre Network of Texas.

Together, they have contributed onstage and behind the scenes through acting, board service, directing, stage management, box office, house management, mentoring, adjudication, and festival participation.

Kathy Morris (Clinton Township, Michigan) has been involved in community theatre since the 1970s, beginning with East Detroit Civic Theatre before becoming deeply connected with Grosse Pointe Theatre.

Over nearly five decades, she has served in producing, makeup, props, set dressing, costumes, membership, box office, and performance, finding her true passion in the ticket office, where she continues to serve with dedication.

William “Bill” Rathbone (Yakima, Washington) has been involved in community theatre since the early 1980s, beginning with set construction before expanding into lighting design and volunteer leadership.

His service has included scheduling ushers, house management, board service, and technical support, reflecting a deep commitment to the collaborative spirit that brings community theatre to life.

Deborah Skillman (Southport, North Carolina) has been a dedicated volunteer with Brunswick Little Theatre since its inaugural production of Brigadoon in 1983, where she served as musical director.

Over four decades, she has contributed onstage and behind the scenes, served in board leadership, directed more than 25 productions, and developed educational programs for youth.

Tim and Paula Tendick (Eugene, Oregon) have been proud members of The Very Little Theatre since 1989, dedicating decades of volunteer service to the organization and its community.

Drawn to theatre by camaraderie, friendship, and the joy of creating productions for audiences, the Tendicks have contributed in nearly every aspect of theatre operations over the years.

Jean Trammell (Venice, Florida) has been a proud member of Venice Theatre since 1967 and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors.

Over nearly six decades, Trammell has served as a performer, director, crew member, teacher, mentor, community liaison, and board member, helping guide Venice Theatre through major transitions, rebuilding efforts, and generations of artistic growth.

Penny Williams (Bartlesville, Oklahoma) has dedicated decades of volunteer service to community theatre, primarily as a scenic artist for a variety of organizations in Bartlesville.

For the past 16 years, Williams has focused her efforts on Children’s Musical Theatre, where her scenic work helps create memorable and magical stage experiences for young performers.

2025 Moe Broom (Yakima, WA)
Roy Hensel (Paducah, KY) Christine “Chris” and Jay Kaiser (Grosse Pointe, MI) Virgil Kleinhesselink (Des Moines, IA) Patricia “Pat” Seely (Yakima, WA) Jackie VanOosbree (Emmetsburg, IA) Seymour Weinstein (Stamford, CT) Mark Wilson (Conroe, TX)

2024 Stan L. Harr (Grosse Pointe Shores, MI)
Dr. Rebecca Whited (Huntsville, AL) Rick Johnson (Helena, MT) Don Langford (Prescott, AZ) Arlene Schoenherr (Grosse Pointe, MI)

2023 Thomas Amick (Chambersburg, PA)
Martha Cherbini (Tulsa, OK) Celia Couture (Tewksbury, MA) Susan “Suzie” Dorgeloh (Manchester Center, VT) Joseph Ennenbach (La Salle, IL) Preston Fry (Shawnee, OK) Frank Peot (Sun Prairie, WI) Dennis Wickline (Grosse Pointe, MI) Denise Wisneski (Phoenixville, PA)

2022 Dee Baldock (Verona, WI)
Larry Bernard (Columbia, MO) Alathea Blischke (Midland, TX) Emmajean Evans (Grosse Pointe, MI) Ron and Freida Houck (Newport, KY) Jean Hardie (Spokane, WA) Gayla Kirmer (Spearville, KS) Michael Krickmire (Fairport, NY) Lynn Nelson (Tupelo, MS) Rob Rice (Tupelo, MS)

2021 Linda Blystone (Spring City, PA)
Emma Bradley (Grand Marais, MN) Jude Knight (Memphis, TN)

2020 Susie Polito (Midland, MI)
Debra Robison (Tupelo, MS) Charles Wilson (Lynn Haven, FL)

2019 Carl and Jane Moore (Midland, TX)

2018 Joseph Connor (Sandy Spring, MD)
Kathleen Davis (Evergreen, CO) Pat Heiss (Charlotte, NC) David Zacharias (Merced, CA)

2017 Sally Barnes (Broken Arrow, OK)
Gloria Filean (Des Moines, IA) Barry Fuller (Memphis, TN) Rita Heizer (Billings, MT) Gerri Nichols (Troy, OH)

2016 Beverly Allen (Helena, MT)
Barbara Christensen (Hartland, WI) Margi Ritscher (Ansbach, Germany) Susan Tucker (Concord, MA) Dr. Charles "Bud" Vear (Hillsdale, MI)

2015 Ruth Behrend* (Hartland, WI)
Guy Dillaway (Weston, MA) Jean Endrizzi (Duluth, MN) Richard and Elaine Albright (Aurora, IL) Libby Kafka (Sharon, MA)

2014 Alvin Blasco (Streator, IL)
Ron McDaniel (Danville, IL) Barbara Tarlin (Wellesley, MA)

2013 John Lynn* (Mundelein, IL)
Charla Rowe (Fort Washington, MD) Richard Sherwin (Tallahassee, FL)

2012 Don Mansfield (Jackson, MI)
Judi Schweppe Johnson (Eugene, OR) Richard C. Whaley (Annapolis, MD)

2011 Geri Becker (Venice, FL)
Wayne Pressnall (North Platte, NE) Bennett Wood (Memphis, TN)

2010 Arthur Delo, Jr. (Jersey City, NJ)
Martha Kovacsi* (Bay City, MI) Madge Levinson (Toledo, OH) Rae Cohan (Newport Beach, CA) Max Polley (Davidson, NC) Willa Wye Rockett (Belmont, MA) James N. Alexander, III* (Haddon Heights, NJ)

2009 Peg Brandon (Winter Haven, FL)
Henry Pope (Walla Walla, WA)

2007 Rosemary Green & Louise Carpenter (Ocala, FL)

2006 Marge and Ted* Ressler (Dover, DE)

2005 Hal Robinson (Royal Oak, MI)
Sherman C. Ward, Jr.* (Haddonfield, NJ)

2004 Tom Cowley (Ponca City, OK)
Jo Pruden (Fort Shafter, HI)

2003 Charlotte Hall (Fort Thomas, KY)
Fred Normand (Rome, NY) Isabella Ward (Dover, DE)

2002 Paul Sturner* (Tonawanda, NY)

2001 Heddie Kent (Concord, MA)

2000 Jane Margison (Riverside, CA)
Robert Montgomery (Bremerton, WA)

1999 Betsey Reeder (Memphis, TN)

1998 Dottie Griffith (St. Joseph, MI)

1997 Jean Mitchell* (Grand Rapids, MI)

1996 Holley R. Webster* (Wallingford, PA)

1995 Ruth Cole* (Midland, TX)

1994 John Edmunds* (Racine, WI)

1993 Firth Chew* (Spokane, WA)

1991 Mary Dwyer* (Sheboygan, WI)

1990 Dick Brown* (Des Moines, IA)

1989 Mary Peckham* (Omaha, NE)
Lil Williams* (Ardmore, OK)

1988 Alice B. Rogers* (Memphis, TN)
Hilda Greenquist* (Racine, WI)

1987 Peggy Greene* (Topeka, KS)

1985 Roberta Kendrick* (Minneapolis, MN)

1984 Emma & Alan* Bowlsby (Indianapolis, IN)

1983 Ruth Kenyon Tate* (North White Plains, NY)

1982 L. K. Boutin* (Des Moines, IA)