Twink Lynch Award
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2020 Honoree
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Previous Recipients
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2003 Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy (KS) |
2012 Amelia Community Theatre (Fernandina Beach, FL) |
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Shawnee Little Theatre (Shawnee, Oklahoma) began in the summer of 1967 as the brainchild of two college students home for the summer, and their energetic former drama teacher. Now in its 53rd year and over 225 productions later, the great, great grandchildren of its charter members carry on the tradition. In 2015, the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits chose SLT to receive a ONE Award for Excellence and Community Service for its dedication to providing theatre arts to the area. Alliances with Oklahoma Baptist University and the Shawnee Public Schools drama departments allow the theatre to support local youth activities through workshops, scholarship funds, support with their productions, and the creation of “town and gown” productions that offer university students coursework in all phases of community theatre musical production. This past January, SLT teamed with a local non-profit, Safe Events for Families, to produce The Marvelous Wonderettes at the historic Ritz Theatre. Staffed totally by volunteers, SLT continues to enrich, entertain, and educate its community into a sixth decade.
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.
