Twink Lynch Award
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2022 Honoree
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Previous Recipients
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2021 Prescott Center for the Arts (Prescott, Arizona) |
2011 Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (North Dakota-Minnesota) |
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Stage Left Theater (Spokane, Washington) underwent a major shift in 2021, dedicating more of its resources than ever before to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Stage Left has replaced all passive non-discrimination policies with active inclusion efforts, including not only policy changes but also outreach and community partnerships. The company partnered with multiple theatres in Spokane and the larger inland Northwest region to collaborate on these efforts, and ensure that opportunities are being broadened across the board, not just within its own walls. During the pandemic shutdown, Stage Left was at the forefront of virtual theatre-making in the region, presenting its first virtual festival, a collection of monologues titled Masterpiece Monologues. In addition to other regional and national awards, Stage Left won the Spokane Arts Award for Inclusion, and Artistic Director Jeremy Whittington was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Luminary Award.
This award is named in honor of Twink Lynch, who devoted her life to community theatre and to serving as a mentor to both individuals and community theatres across the country. She helped shepherd the national organization's transition from American Community Theatre Association (ACTA) to AACT, served on the Board for six years, including a term as President and VP of Education and on AACT committees for an additional 19 years. Twink managed Topeka (KS) Civic Theatre for many years, retired, then came back during hard times and guided the theatre back to a stable organization. Her passion was such that she earned three degrees in theatre; it is said, she is the only person to earn a Ph.D. in Community Theatre Management. Twink shared her knowledge and experience through consulting and through her "Spotlight on Boards" column in AACT's newsletter, which she wrote for 14 years. In 2000, she edited her columns into a book, Boards in the Spotlight, the proceeds of which benefit AACT. Her book still educates those who are managing and governing community theatres.
Twink Lynch Organizational Achievement
Recognizes AACT member theatres for successfully completing major steps in new directions, expanding services to their communities, or moving to the next level of organizational development.
