2003 volunteer award winnersThe winners of RLT's volunteer awards for 2002-2003 were as follows. Charles V. York, Jr. Volunteer Service Award: Glenn A. Miller Technical Service Award: Al D. Wolfheimer Volunteer Award:
Jack Alphin - Charles V. York Jr. Theatre Service AwardCate Foltin presented Jack's award: 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. Tonight's recipient has been a season member with RLT for more than three decades, and for more than half of that time, a contributing member. This individual has shown leadership in supporting the organization that means so much to them through working at strikes, helping with membership drives, serving on committees and task forces as well as serving on the Board of Directors - including a year as President of the Board. This individual has spearheaded fundraising efforts for RLT, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in memberships and donations. This person has almost single-handedly developed our corporate sponsorship program and has been unwavering in their dedication to making RLT a more financially stable and growth-oriented organization so that we all can be more focused on the artistic quality of our productions and the community we serve and are such a vital part of. I am, of course, speaking about Jack Alphin. Jack, I asked a LOT of people about you - and there are some pretty amazing stories out there - some of which I am holding as a possible fundraiser not to repeat. I called Eleanor. We had a long conversation about you. And out of ALL of her stories, this one is the one that I want to share with everyone because I think it highlights your dedication to RLT. She said, and I quote: Kathleen Rudolph and I will always remember that he and Linda answered our plea for help one Saturday or Sunday afternoon when she and I had to unpack every one of those darn bricks for the wall out front with the names on them and alphabetize them, check them for correctness, etc. It tooks hours-ask Kathleen, cost us manicures, aching backs, and part of at least my religion. (Can't speak for the Alphins!) They were wonderful help and we couldn't have made it without them. From a boy who grew up on a tobacco farm with a large number of brothers and sisters to a mover-and-shaker about town with a deep and abiding love of the arts, I present tonight's winner of the Charles V. York Jr. Theatre Service Award: Jack Alphin.
Betsy Bates - Glenn Amos Miller Technical Service AwardRick Young presented Betsy's award: This year's winner is a stellar example of a volunteer becoming an owner to such an extent that we must sometimes remind ourselves to ask her if she will take on certain tasks rather than assume it on her. I would not be surprised to someday find that an award has been named for her. Usually I like to make announcing the name at the end as much of a surprise, but she has carved out such a clear and distinct and dominant niche for herself here that any description of what she has done would make it as obvious as reading out her name. So in order to give this award some suspense, I will simply pause. See, the suspense is so think, you can cut it with a knife. Our winner has been volunteering here for over 20 years. She obviously started as a baby. Though she loves to get on stage occasionally, most recently in an outstanding performance in A Streetcar Named Desire, she is best known as the queen of props. Preferring a challenging show to a simple one, she is a magician at finding or creating the impossible-to-find item. She has truly taken ownership of the props and prop storage, completely reorganizing the prop room on multiple occasions. She has miraculously been the prop master for Cinderella for all of its 20 year history and even did Pinocchio (our previous holiday show) before that. Despite this incredible history, you must never call her the prop mistress, for, in her own words, she is master of all, mistress to none. This year's winner of the Glenn Amos Miller Technical Service Award is Betsy Bates. Meredith BudlongCarmen Mandley presented Meredith's award: This recipient has spent many of her formative years at RLT. She is not only a complete joy to work with as an actor, but she paints, she sews, she builds, she does lights, she does sound, she ASMs, she is a student and a scholar at Cardinal Gibbons High School, she's a regular of the Youth Program, she's a Cinderella aficionado, she's been in a number of main stage, TOS, Gaddy and Amphitheatre shows, and she's got a heart of gold. Congratulations to Meredith Budlong. Barbara CorbinRick Young presented Barbara's award: This person has not only volunteered here herself for over 10 years, but has brought to the theatre many new volunteers from her friends, from her workplace, and from her womb. No small feat. When given a task: crew coordinator, crew chief, crew member, or volunteer at large, she jumps in with both feet. No matter what twists or turns the job may present, she keeps her feet planted firmly on the ground, never a footloose moment. No matter how great the challenge, how high the obstacles, she will never acknowledge defeat; never let the unexpected trip her up. It is people like her that give this theatre such a strong footing. As John Lafeet once said I've fallen and I can get up. Words to live by. Our next winner is Barbara Corbin. Hop on up here! Amy FlynnHaskell Fitz-Simons presented Amy's award: This award go to a volunteer that you may be accustomed to seeing on-stage rather than backstage. It is one of the joys of working with this very talented community that we have so many folk who prove themselves so valuable on BOTH sides of the footlights! This volunteers is most often uncredited in the programs because she shows up unasked during tech-week to help paint (or take on whatever task is most needed at the time). In addition to being a consummate actress, she:
On a personal note, she makes the best Roasted Garlic and Brie Soup an invalided Artistic Director could ever imagine! Next Wolfie goes to the Lovely and Talented Amy Flynn. Lynn HardisonKathleen Rudolph presented Lynn's award: I’m here to talk about someone who helps in many areas of Raleigh Little Theatre. Since her daughter started taking classes here in 1996, this fine woman has been an active part of the theatre. As a member of the Youth Parent Committee she has helped to label, fold, stamp and stuff brochures. She has also played an important role in the box office this year. She is extremely meticulous, has great patience on the phones and jumps right in with whatever needs to be done. But that is not all. She also undertook the position of Usher Coordinator for all the Family Series Shows, and had the unusual and difficult task this year of finding ushers that knew American Sign Language. We don’t know what we would do without her. This Wolfie goes to Lynn Hardison. Gerrie KouriCarmen Mandley presented Gerrie's award: This Wolfie goes to someone who has become a staple in the Youth Series. She not only assistant directs with the greatest of ease, but is tireless, infinitely good natured and a good friend to anyone who needs one. She is a devoted member of the Youth Parent Teacher committee, giving endless hours of her time. She took on being an assistant stage manager this year with a great buoyancy of spirit despite the amount of work the job entailed. She is one of the most optimistic and beautiful people I've known. The Wolfie goes to Gerrie Kouri. Rose MartinHaskell Fitz-Simons presented Rose's award: This award go to a volunteer that you may be accustomed to seeing on-stage rather than backstage. It is one of the joys of working with this very talented community that we have so many folk who prove themselves so valuable on BOTH sides of the footlights! In addition to playing major roles in Mattress andJoseph, this recipient has always been a tireless good-will ambassadress for RLT.
She is, of course, Rose Martin Pamela ReichenKathleen Rudolph presented Pamela's award: This next recipient is someone whose face we all love to see around the theatre. Although she is still a student at North Carolina School of the Arts, she has worked on eight Raleigh Little Theatre productions as either stage manager, AD, on props or sound crew. She has helped immensely in the box office and front of house, and realizes the importance of every task, no matter how small. I had the pleasure of working very closely with her last summer. Trying to run the Teens on Stage program consisting of 26 teenagers and a guest director was not an easy task. This young lady not only stage managed the production, but helped to keep the sanity among the cast and make the summer productive and enjoyable. To her I am ever grateful. This Wolfie goes to Pamela Reichen. Lucius RobinsonCarmen Mandley presented Lucius's award: This Wolfie goes to another member of the Youth Program. He also frequents light hangs, focuses, builds, paint calls, envelope stuffing, special events, and even directs plays at his school to raise money for RLT's scholarship fund. He is a member of RLT's honor society, Storytellers Squared. He is a painfully dedicated student, helper, friend, and comrade. He has been called the little Jimmy Stewart of RLT. This wolfie goes to my pal Lucius Robinson. Don SmithHaskell Fitz-Simons presented Don's award: This award go to a volunteer that you may be accustomed to seeing on-stage rather than backstage. It is one of the joys of working with this very talented community that we have so many folk who prove themselves so valuable on BOTH sides of the footlights! In addition to performing in Mattress and The Fantasticks, this person:
The award goes to Don Smith. You are here: Home > The RLT volunteer awards > 2003 volunteer award winners |
