Twink Lynch Award
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2021 Honoree
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Previous Recipients
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2020 Shawnee Little Theatre (Shawnee, Oklahoma)
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2011 Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (North Dakota-Minnesota) |
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Prescott Center for the Arts (Prescott, Arizona) was founded in 1968, and offers programming that includes mainstage and family theatre, workshops for all ages, Teen Summer Stock, a full art gallery, and a scholarship program that awards more than $12,000 annually to youth, ages 12 to 18. Prior to the pandemic, the theatre began the most aggressive capital campaign in its 53-year history, seeking to raise funds for a new studio theatre building in an adjacent parking lot. When Covid hit, the theatre reached out to patrons and supporters with a program called “PCA Serves,” that provided welfare checks and any assistance needed. The Center also staged outdoor concerts, completely remodeling the interior of the theatre to a cabaret-style facility, including new lighting and sound to accommodate safety and distancing protocols. The theatre received a $3M donation to kick-off a capital campaign. But, due to the pandemic the goals of the campaign needed to be readjusted. They relaunched the campaign and plan to reach their goals to fund to fund the new studio theatre, a 6,950 sq ft., 99-seat multi-purpose building, with rehearsal, storage, and administrative space. This new space represents the largest facility addition in the theatre’s history.
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.
