YOUNGSTOWN AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE ALLIANCE
THE LEGENDS OF THE THEATRE HONORS
As we move into 2009 we hope that better things are on the horizon for all of us. At YACTA, the start of a new year also signals the induction of our second class into the Performing Arts Hall of Honor. With the closing of the Youngstown Playhouse, until further notice, it has sent us scrambling to find another venue for both the induction ceremony and the Hall itself. Although we are still searching for a location for the Hall, the induction ceremony has been moved to the Elmtree Restaurant in Struthers, Ohio. This venue is somewhat smaller than the Playhouse and, of course, it is not a theatre, but we feel that it will serve the purpose of honoring the 2009 class. The ceremony will again be hosted by our good friend and spokesman from WKBN-TV 27, Rich Morgan. The date has been shifted a bit from the original date, which was February 7. The event will now take place on February 14 -- yes, Valentine's Day. As we move into January, we will keep you posted via this website on pertinent information concerning this event..jpg)
Don't miss the second installment of this yearly celebration. A joyous journey through the lives of four indivduals who have helped to create and maintain theatre in the Mahoning Valley and the surrounding areas.
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The "2nd ANNUAL LEGENDS OF THE THEATRE HONORS" Saturday Evening, February 14, 2008 ELMTREE RESTAURANT - Struthers, Ohio Cash Bar at 7pm. Followed by the Presentation Ceremony Reception for the honorees immediately following the ceremony TICKETS: $20.00 - Includes ceremony and reception. Reservations may be made by calling: 330-965-9698
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YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE - The Youngstown Playhouse was chosen to house the new Performing Arts Hall of Honor for a very specific reason. The Playhouse is one of the oldest on-going community theatres in the United States. It was therefore, fitting for this Hall of Fame to be housed in this theatre. Many local theatre actors, directors and technicians have passed through the Playhouse at one time or another as their careers have grown. The Playhouse has always been a front runner in productions and in leading the way with local innovations in many production areas. For the time being, the Hall will be located in the lobby area of the theatre but as new space is provided, in the future, it will move into a very specific location that will separate it somewhat from the rest of the theatre. METHOD OF SELECTION - The selection process for arriving at the three honorees is really rather simple on its face. When you actually get right down to making the final selections, however, it does get more difficult. Each area YACTA member theatre may submit three nominees to be considered by the Alliance to be honored. One of the main criteria is that an honoree elect must have, at least, twenty-five years experience in a single area of theatre. This is not to mean that they can not have worked in other areas, but the main body of their work must have been in one area. Not all of it has to have been done in the Youngstown area but a major part of it needs to be rooted in this area. Each theatre must also include the reason or reasons that they have for nominating their particular candidate. Everything must be in writing and submitted by the announced deadline date. After all nomnees have been received it is the job of the Alliance Representatives to review each submission and eventually make a final decision on three candidates to be honored.
Any nominees that are turned down one year can then be re-submitted the next year. |
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2009 HONOREES HUGH FAGAN - Mr. Fagan was best known for the volume of work he did at the Youngstown Playhouse. Whether it was playing a main stage role or working with the Youth Theatre, Mr. Fagan made his mark in both areas. He was a constant presence onstage and played scores of memorable characters during his years at the Playhouse. But the Playhouse was not the only beneficiary of Mr. Fagan's talent. He was seen in many roles at most of the other area theatres as well. Although we honor him postumously, his legacy in theatre in the Mahoning Valley is truly lengendary. JOHN & RENNIE GRIFFITH - Although we honor Mr. Griffith postumously, Mrs. Griffith will be with us to receive the accolades that they both deserve. Both were strong supporters of the Youngtown Playhouse for many years. And in addition to their support, they also lent their talents onstage in numerous productions. Just a few that come to mind are "Night Watch," "The Music Man" and "Death of a Salesman." Both of the Griffiths were consumate actors and very frequently they appeared onstage together, prompting many to call them the "Lunt & Fontaine" of the Youngstown Playhouse. SIS SOLLER - As with our other honorees this year, Ms. Soller is synonomous with the Youngstown Playhouse in almost every respect. Whether she was onstge in one of the many roles she played over the years, or whether she was on the board, a committee, or just working backstage, Sis has had a tremendouse dedication to the Youngstown Playhouse. She still holds a board position to this day. Ms. Soller is one of those few people that has probably done everything, at one time or another at the Playhouse. |
Reservations are suggested and may be made by calling our reservation line at: 330-965-9896.
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Join us for an historic evening in local theatre.
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