Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Theatre Ontario's Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre is presented annually to an individual for his/her outstanding contribution to community theatre in his/her region over a sustained time.
NOTE: The award will be presented to an individual in the region that is hosting that year's Theatre Ontario Festival.
Criteria
•Sustained contribution to community theatre;
•Generosity of spirit, involvement, and commitment to community theatre that is legendary within his/her region, helping community theatre flourish.
Award
The award was established in 1997 by Theatre Ontario on the occasion of Theatre Ontario's 25th Anniversary. Multiple awards were presented on the quinquennial anniversaries of Theatre Ontario until 2012, when it became a single, annual award.
About Michael Spence
The award is named in honour of Michael Spence, the founding President of Theatre Ontario. Michael was active in community theatre at Hart House Theatre, London Little Theatre, and the University Alumnae Dramatic Club (now known as Alumnae Theatre.) He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Dominion Drama Festival, a past President of Arts Etobicoke, and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of Theatre Ontario.
Past Recipients
Past recipients of the award are Joan McRae, Anne Wilson, Lillian Sievanen, Betty Coates, Sharon Sproule, Arlene Watson, Vince Mathewson, David Glover, Harry Houston, Hans Warmenhoven, Beth McMaster, Val Hadley, Maureen Lukie, Gabe Ferrazzo, Ken Stephen, Margaret Shearman, Lawrie Bonanno, Jo-anne Spitzer, Walter Maskel, Joe O'Brien, and Bev Dietrich.
2015 Award
The 2015 award will be presented to an individual from the south central Ontario community theatre region, which includes the City of Toronto, Durham Region, York Region, Peel Region, Halton Region (except for the City of Burlington), Simcoe County, Dufferin County, and the District of Muskoka.
Call for nominations for the 2015 award: October 1, 2015
Deadline for nominations for the 2015 award: January 30, 2015
Presentation of the 2015 award: May 17, 2015
DOWNLOAD THE 2015 MICHAEL SPENCE AWARD GUIDELINES (PDF) DOWNLOAD THE 2015 MICHAEL SPENCE AWARD NOMINATION FORM (PDF)
For more information about the Michael Spence Awards, please contact Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator, at brandon@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.13
2015-01-14
Toronto: Deadline for nominations for Michael Spence Award for community theatre is January 30