2005 volunteer award winnersCharles V. York, Jr. Volunteer Service Award: Glenn A. Miller Technical Service Award: Al Wolfheimer Volunteer Awards:
Patsy Clarke - Charles V. York Jr. Theatre Service AwardPresented by Cate Foltin Tonight I have the pleasure of the presenting the Charles V. York Jr. Theatre Service Award. As many of you know, in the 1978-1979 season, RLT renamed its Annual Distinguished Service Award to honor this man, who was so active in service at RLT. Mr. York was involved with RLT during the 60s and served 6 years on the Board of Directors. In 1964 he received RLT’s Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in bringing about renovations and additions to the theatre. A plaque is presented each year at the Annual Meeting to an individual that has exemplified service to the theatre and our recipient this year is a shining example of such dedication and service. She has appeared on stage in too many shows to name, has worked back stage as assistant director, vocal coach, worked with our young people and is a friend to everyone. She volunteers in the box office, serves on the board of directors, has been on play reading and youth education programs, and starting this year, she is launching our seniors touring group: the Pickle Jar Players. A shining soul and “mom” to us all, this year’s Charles V. York Jr. Award recipient is the one and only: Patsy Clarke. I made Patsy send me comments from the beach where she is vacationing:
David Wilk - Glenn A. Miller Technical Service AwardPresented by Rick Young This award is given to a back-stage volunteer that has gone above and beyond the expected consistently and persistently. For those of you who are unaware, Glenn Miller was a dedicated volunteer here at RLT from 1965 until his death in 1978. He was involved with 73 major productions, which coincidently, is, I believe, the same number I worked on last year. He acted in 15 productions receiving three Canteys. Glenn received the Technical Service Award in 1975, and three years later that award was named in his honor. For most of you he is like the Great Grandfather you never knew. Just because you never met him doesn’t mean he wasn’t important in your life. This year’s recipient joins an impressive list of very special people, and quite deservedly so. He (that’s a clue) he was one of the first volunteers I met here when a came for my interview. He was one of the first volunteers I had a beer with, BTB (that’s Before Tech Beer). I really don’t know when he started volunteering here. That is far less important than the fact that he still is. There are certain individuals that we assume will be at most of the general work calls. He is one of those. There are certain individuals that will answer any call in any area where they can be of help. He is one of those. There are certain individuals that we can be sure that they know what they are doing, 100% without the slightest supervision. He is one of those. There are certain individuals that we can turn to not only for help but also for advise. He is one of those. There are certain individuals who are willing to take on any task, no matter how small, no matter how large. He is one of those. There are certain individuals that can dance with the grace of a swan and sing with the voice of an angel. He is not one of those. There are certain individuals that you want to keep around for a long, long time. He is one of those. Whether at light hang or strike, stuffing envelopes or making calls, stage managing or even acting, joining the Board or running follow spot for an awards show you can be certain that you can always count on David Wilk. Choosing the recipient of this award is usually a difficult decision. This year it was decided early, instantaneously, and unanimously. While he was stage managing Little Prince, David lost his mother to a long battle with illness. I came to the theatre that night intending to assist the understandably anxious ASM call the show. David was there. He told me that there was no way he could ask Stacy call the show without any training. My very first thought was, “I know who’s getting the Miller this year.” Lori CaterinicchioPresented by Kathleen Rudolph This Wolfie goes to someone very dear to my heart. I first met her several years ago when her children started taking my classes at the Apex Community Center. She always arrived with a huge smile and a funny story. We had a lot in common, both of us being Yankees. One day she off-handedly mentioned that she’d be willing to help me if I ever needed any, and I took her up on it. She started volunteering weekly to assist me with my long and difficult registration process. Sometimes her children came in too and I put them to work. In fact, the whole family has been known to show up at strikes and all calls eagerly. Well, other folks on staff realized what a find she was and hired her as “Playbill Advertising Representative”. This past season I had the pleasure of casting her in her very first show, where she was able to share the stage with her son, David. This Wolfie goes to Lori Caterinicchio. Sherry DerryPresented by Ellen Landau Sherry has appeared both on the RLT stage and behind the scenes; I think I first met her when she was cast as a street person from the French Quarter in Streetcar Named Desire. She has performed almost every job on the deck – props, dressing, and running crew; and as ASM and AD, she has been the right hand of several stage managers and directors. The word from actors who have worked under her is that she commands absolute obedience backstage– but with a great attitude and sense of humor. She has recently taken on a new role for the theatre – coordinating the weddings in the Rose Garden. Becca EasleyPresented by Ellen Landau Wolfie winner Becca Easly proves an exception to our award rules. She moved to Raleigh just one year ago, but before the summer was over, she had already made the theatre her new home. She has worked almost every show this season, during which time she has mastered the new sound system. She was my constant companion during the long run of Carousel, and I can recommend her as a light crew chief, too. In addition, she’s giving Roger a run for his money in setting the record for masterminding the most outings to the Village Draft House. Something most of you don’t know, she has a twin, but she is one of a kind to us. Robin HughesPresented by Rick Young Before I present the final Wolfie for this season, I would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to those of you that responded to the several emergency work calls that sprang up this past year. For some reason I’ve never understood we sometimes get ourselves into a bind and fall ever so slightly behind with the set; but, thanks to your rapid and generous response, we always managed to pull it off. We are already well into next season, which, tomorrow, will be this season, and we’re in a little bit of a bind. If any of you could come in we will be here any time between now and July 1st. Our last Wolfie goes to one of those people that can be counted on to respond to an emergency call. She can, in fact, be counted on to respond to a not so emergency call. [SIGH] That is a sigh of relief. It is the sound that we make when we hear that certain individuals want to fill a production position. Though we love you all…No, really, we do… And part of our mandate as a Community Theatre is to train our volunteers, and we love doing that… No, really, we do… We are also okay with not having to train you. Particularly on one of our rare complicated productions, it is comforting to know that there is a part of that production that we do not have to worry about. This recipient makes us sigh. She is more likely than not to have a hand in some aspect of every show whether as a dresser, on the running crew, or, my favorite, as prop master. We almost lost her my first season here to burn-out, a genuine concern we have for all of you that work multiple shows. But she did a very wise thing. She pulled back. We did not see her for a while. And then she did an even wiser thing, she came back… with a vengeance. Her energy, her enthusiasm, her acute awareness, and her remarkable organizational skills make her an indispensable asset. She is, by the way, also psychic. On more than one occasion, at production meetings for Cuckoo’s Nest, I would mention that we discovered a new prop we needed, and she would reach down and pull it out of her bag. Our final recipient is, of course, the beautiful, the mysterious Miss Robin Hughes. David McClutcheyPresented by Cate Foltin What can I say about our next volunteer to be recognized tonight? This individual has served on the board of directors including marketing, fund development, special events, playreading committee committees and serving as a volunteer representative. Oh yes, this person also does outreach for our education program and, occasionally, finds the time to appear on stage. And if that wasn’t reason enough, this person also devotes significant time to raise money for RLT either through direct appeals, courting new contacts or hustling family and friends. He has been a tremendous help to me this year, always ready to listen, provide suggestions and lend a hand whenever asked. So tireless is he in trying to help RLT achieve financial stability that you could call him a “rain maker” for RLT. Of course, that could also mean that there is going to be a leak somewhere in the building or an amphitheatre show rained out if he is scheduled to volunteer, but, hey, what are you gonna do? This Wolfie goes to David McClutchey. Paul SlovenskyPresented by Haskell Fitz-Simons Our next honoree was born under the sign of Emeril Lagasse in the constellation of Julia Childs. I’ve known him since 1985, when he was in the chorus of the first production of Once Upon a Mattress. Since then, he has played such roles as King Darling III in Cinderella and Marcellus in The Music Man. In addition he was ASM for The Tempest. Then in the mid 90s he went on hiatus for a number of years. He came back last season with a vengeance to stage manage The Diary of Anne Frank. This past season he was stage manager for Catfish Moon, and he will be stage manager for (already in rehearsal) The Spitfire Grill. Paul has become notorious for taking care of his casts during the rehearsal period, almost always providing some sort of gourmet snack at break time. During Anne Frank, the cast so enjoyed Paul’s culinary treats, that this group of supposedly starving people was actually seen to gain weight... visibly...ask Vicki!) In addition, Paul serves on the VAC committee; he is the concessions coordinator for all inside adult shows; he also coordinated the food and volunteers for the winter gala; he house manages and ushers; he helped out with Divas! as an all-around volunteer; He has also agreed to be the concessions coordinator for adult shows for 05-06. The next Wolfie goes to Paul Slovensky.
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