Ardmore Little Theatre has been named Oklahoma’s “Theatre of the Year.” The award was announced and a presentation made in Tulsa at the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association’s annual conference.
Ardmore was selected for the award from among the nearly 60 community and college theatrical groups across the state which comprise the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association.
L. Fred Collins and Monica Stolfa accepted the award on behalf of ALT Saturday at the conference in Tulsa’s Heller Theatre. Collins is a past president of ALT and a current member of the board. Stolfa is a former ALT board member and currently serves as Webmaster for the local theater group.
OCTA annually presents the award to one of its member troupes operating under a board of directors. The “Theatre of the Year” honor is not based on a stage presentation, rather it is awarded to a theater that has distinguished itself through continuity of productions and community involvement. It is the most prestigious award a theater can receive in Oklahoma and is equivalent to the Governor’s Arts Awards.
“Ardmore Little Theatre is greatly honored to win this recognition for our efforts,” ALT president Carl Clark said. “We have a dedicated board, a strong and willing group of volunteer performers, musicians, stagehands and others who have helped ALT be an active and accomplished community theater for more than 50 years.”
Beyond its productions, Clark said factors entering into ALT’s selection might have been its hosting of a presentation by Poteet Theatre from Oklahoma City, two free public drama workshops and its joint outreach effort with the H.F.V. Wilson Community Center for the presentation of “Crowns” earlier this summer. He also cited the long-term support of Goddard Arts Center for ALT’s productions.
ALT will open its 54th season in September with the staging of “Inherit the Wind.” Other productions scheduled this season include “Evita,” “Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got the Will?” and “Inspecting Carol.” The productions will all be staged in the Charles B. Goddard Center.
To ask questions, contact ALT at (580) 223-6387 or www.ardmorelittletheater.com.
