Twink Lynch Organizational Achievement Award

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.

Learn more about Twink Lynch ↓   |   Back to AACT National Awards → 

Ebong TheatriX (Montgomery County, Maryland) is a 501(c)(3) South Asian diaspora theatre company dedicated to bringing South Asian diaspora theatre, performed in Bengali, Hindi, and English, to the heart of the American community theatre landscape while building genuine bridges with mainstream DMV audiences.

Founded in 2014, ET was created to fill a gap for South Asian diaspora families in the greater Washington region seeking professional-quality theatre in their own languages and rooted in their own stories. Over the past decade, ET has grown from a community dream into a nationally recognized ensemble, with productions like Five Grains of Rice earning regional and international acclaim and Avinash, performed by ET's youth ensemble, representing Maryland at both AACT YouthFest and the AACT National Festival in Des Moines.

Through FestivET, its annual national festival, ET convenes diaspora theatre companies from across the country, creating a reciprocal ecosystem of artistic exchange. Through CommunET, its DEI-focused community festival, ET opens its doors to the broader public, free of charge, centering belonging, representation, and the universal power of live storytelling.

Landmark Community Theatre (Thomaston, Connecticut) is a nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to producing high-quality theatre, educating artists of all ages, and preserving the historic Thomaston Opera House as a vital community space.

Built in 1884, the Thomaston Opera House serves as a cultural and recreational center for the town and surrounding communities and remains a point of pride for residents and the many artists who bring its stage to life each year. Through its productions and programming, LCT has earned a reputation as a regional destination for live theatre.

Landmark Community Theatre’s work is closely tied to the long-term restoration of the Thomaston Opera House. Over the past several decades, leadership and volunteers have played a key role in reopening, preserving, and enhancing the facility, ensuring that it continues to serve future generations as both a performance venue and a community gathering place.

Shelby County Players (Shelbyville, Indiana) is dedicated to unlocking opportunities for people of all ages to explore and showcase their creativity through theatre arts. Founded in 1988 as an all-volunteer theatre, SCP has become a dynamic cultural force in its community.

A proud member of the Encore Association, SCP has earned more than 95 regional award nominations and more than 18 wins since 2015, recognizing excellence in acting, design, and direction. Through its Theatre Education Program, SCP has connected countless young people in Shelby County to the transformative power of the stage.

SCP’s most defining achievement is the Wortman Family Civic Theatre, a state-of-the-art performing arts center that opened in April 2025 following a $5 million community-driven campaign launched during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Built inside a transformed former bowling alley, the theatre has quickly become a cultural gathering place and a lasting asset for Shelby County.