Awards and Scholarships
2011 Eric Hamber Trophy Award Winner - Sarah McLean
Theatre BC's most prestigious award is presented on an annual basis, if merited, as part of the provincial MAINSTAGE Festival Awards Ceremony. The Eric Hamber Award is given to a person, group or institution having made an outstanding contribution to community theatre in British Columbia over a prolonged period.
Sarah joined the Powerhouse Theatrical Society in Vernon BC in 1964. She is currently serving her 3rd year as club President a position she held from 1975- 77 and again in 1988. Sarah has been the Artistic Director for the club and has recently served on the Artistic Committee since 2008. In 1988 Sarah received the MVP Award from the City of Vernon and was also given a Life Membership in Powerhouse Theatre.
In 2010 she received the Harlequin Award given annually for outstanding service to the Powerhouse Theatre. Sarah Directed ‘Play Memory’ by Joanna McClelland Glass, the Best Production at Mainstage 1988. This play represented TBC at the Great Canadian Drama Festival in Halifax in July 1988. It was chosen as the Best Play at that Festival. In 1989 ‘Play Memory’ was chosen to represent TBC and Canada at the Festival du Mondial the International Amateur Theatre Festival in Monaco. In all Sarah has Directed 12 shows for Powerhouse Theatre, and has acted in 11 garnering 2 awards at Mainstage for Best Actress and 1 for Best Supporting Actress in The Cell in1975.
Sarah received the Best Set Design Award at Mainstage 1988. Overall she has contributed her talents to over 115 shows at Powerhouse Theatre. She has Stage Managed for at least 4 TBC Okanagan Zone Festivals. From a Community standpoint she has adjudicated at School District 22 Drama festivals and has acted as a judge for their Scholarship programs. She has acted as a mentor for other TBC Okanagan Zone Clubs and has worked closely with the Vernon artistic community. Sarah is the current Powerhouse Club Representative for the TBC OKZ Board. As one member remarked Sarah exemplifies all that the Hamber Award stands for.
Congratulations Sarah
The Eric Hamber Trophy
PREVIOUS ERIC HAMBER AWARD WINNERS
2011 Diamond Award Winners - Douglas Perri & Norman White
Below is Theatre BC VP Larry Martin (c) with Norman White (l) and Douglas Perri (r)
Theatre BC's Diamond of the Year Award honours a Theatre BC member(s) who in the past year has worked toward furthering the Mission Statement of Theatre BC:
"To promote and encourage the development of community theatre in British Columbia by providing leadership and opportunities for participation, education and sharing the enjoyment of diverse theatre experiences."
About our winners, Doug holds a BFA in Theatre in Education from UVIC, and has managed box office, acted, and designed costumes for theatres in Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver, and North Vancouver. Doug’s most memorable performance was as “Linus” in First Impression Theatre’s production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”.
Norman has his School of Hard Knocks Diploma in Theatre, starting as “Clarence & His Classical Clarinet” in the Mascot Players Production of “Gypsy” in 1976. Norman, has acted, backstage crewed, stage managed, set & costume designed, and more recently directed shows, also in Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver, and North Vancouver.
Where did they meet – in Victoria (1988) – and immediately fell into making costumes for Savoyard Society’s production of “HMS Pinafore” – all the ladies dresses from scratch they might add. From there to Whistler, to Vancouver, and now living in Burnaby – serving as board members of TBC’s North Shore Zone since 1991. They are both recipients of the North Shore Zone's Don Marsh Award " for creating a spirit of harmony amongst groups on the North Shore".
TBC’s philosophy of promoting education & cooperation among the community & professional theatre organizations within BC is one that these two want to encourage all Thespians in BC to embrace. From the nomination form:
"Douglas and Norman have spent thousands of dollars over the years for the good of the organization through donations, patronages, and expenses they haven’t claimed while working on our behalf. When Theatre BC had to move offices in late 2009, they both travelled to the island (at their own expense) to help with the huge organizational and culling job that had to be done before the move. They were a life-saver for (employees) Michelle and Lisa at the time.
Norman took over as Treasurer at an extremely difficult time and managed all the extra time and work necessary with skill and grace. He and Douglas have always been willing and available to help whenever asked, ie: as drivers for the Board of Directors and Theatre BC staff for the Board Camp last January in the lower mainland, and helping out in so many extra ways during the Mainstage Festival last year (2010) in Kamloops.
We can think of no one who has put in more time, more work, or much-needed capital into the organization in the past few years, and they always do it so quietly and happily. They certainly deserve some recognition and our heartfelt thanks."
They both are humbled by the recognition that has been awarded on them – and want everyone to know that they did what they did – not for the recognition but because they believe in TBC and what it means to Community Theatre in this province.
So glad you're on our team, guys!!
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