OCTA Spirit of Community Theatre Award

Each year, an individual or theatre may be nominated as a candidate for the OCTA Spirit of Community Theatre award, with the purpose being to recognize their outstanding commitment to the pursuit of community theatre.

 

A candidate for this award should exemplify the spirit of community theatre in their sharing of talent and resources with other theatres, impact in the community, involvement in the promotion of theatre in the youth/disabled/minority population, or any other commitment to community theatre that the nominator believes is commendable.

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Nominations for 2026 Spirit of Community Theatre award are closed. 

 

What you will need before you submit: 

• Completed google application form

• Essay about why this nominee exemplifies the Spirit of Community Theatre

• Headshot of the nominee

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Previous Spirit of Community Theatre Award winners are: 

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2025

• Lane Hackel, Northwest Region

• Riley Runnells, Northwest Region

• Betsy & C.J. Bossart, Southwest Region

• Chris Harmon, West Region

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2024

• Julie Bruckelmeyer, Central Region

• Johanna Whetstone, Central Region

• Claudia Lillibridge, Northeast Region

• Mary Maxwell, East Region

• Jason Chandler, North Region

• Jennifer Day, Southwest Region

• Greg Schaper, Southwest Region

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2023

• Eugene Haney, Central Region

• Machelle Miller, East Region

• Jillian Von Gutten, East Region

• Nadine Jensen, North Region

• Janine Baughman, Northwest Region

• Cathy Lutts, Southwest Region

• Kent Smith, Southwest Region

• Niccole Amersdorfer, West Region

• Lisa Marling, West Region

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2022

• Eric Blake, East Region

• Amanda Emmons Shumate, Southwest Region

• Elaine Volker, Southwest Region

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2021

• Jill Henwood, Central Region

• Mendell Hibbard, Central Region

• Sarah Gantzer, East Region

• Shelley Tolliver, East Region

• Joe Barton, Northwest Region

• Gary Walker, Southeast Region

• Wes Ledyard, Southwest Region

• Joe Ward, Southwest Region

• Jennifer Kaufman, West Region

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2020

• Valeria Amburgey, Southwest Region

• Joel Lind, Southwest Region

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2019

• Lisa Napier-Garcia, Central Region

• Theresa Benyo-Marzullo, Northeast Region

• D. Ward Ensign, Northwest Region

• Nathan Mayse, Southeast Region

• Perry Gary, Southwest Region

• Vicki Rafferty, Southwest Region

• Perry Gary, Southwest Region

• Steve Dietrich, West

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2018

• Licking County Players, Central Region

• Toledo Repertoire Theater, Northwest Region

• Kait M. Gallagher-Wilsterman, Southeast Region

• Dan Maloney, Southwest

• Sonja Hyer, West Region

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2017

• Dr. Gary Gillen, Central Region     

• Billie Harmon, Southeast Region

• Teresa Myers, Southwest Region

• Geri Nichols, West Region

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2016

• Lee J. Ninde & Mimi Ferrari-Ninde, Central Region            

• Gittee Bortz, Southwest Region

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2015

• Aara Wise, Central Region                  

• Jim Toth, Northwest Region

• Andrew Pelegreen III, Southeast Region

• Gretchen Gantner, Southwest Region

• Sock & Buskin Theatre, West Region

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2014

• Sue Gardner, Central Region

• Dawna Kornick, Northeast Region

• John Aiello, Northwest Region

• Marlene Somerville, Southeast Region

• Larry Behymer, Southwest Region

• Peggy Kenney, Southwest Region

• John Falkenbach,  West Region

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2013

• John Roberts, Central Region

• Tim Steiner, Northeast Region

• Dale Jensen, Northwest Region

• Ann Hartshorn, Southeast Region

• Sheryl Wise, Southeast Region

• Tina Yearout, Southwest Region

• Christi Thomas, West Region

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2012

• Charles Hupp, Central Region

• Gary Maher, Northeast Region

• Cathy Williams, Northwest Region

• Susan Barzda, Southeast Region

• Joy Sharp, Southwest Region

• Dayton Theatre Guild, West Region

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2011

• Betty Peters, Central Region

• Marianne Paul, Northeast Region

• Donna Wollenslagel, Northwest Region

• Rich Tolliver, Southeast Region

• Wayne Kirsch, Southwest Region

• Wade Hamilton, West Region

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2010

• Dr. Phil Graham, Central Region

• Bruce Jacklin, Central Region

• Marie Dusini, Northeast Region

• Becky Heck, Northwest Region

• Ron Harmon, Southeast Region

• Laureen Catlin, Southwest Region

• Loveland Stage Company, Southwest Region

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2009

• Tim Gartner, Central Region

• Deb Wentz, Northeast Region

• Randy Wieging, Northwest Region

• Joe Balding, Southeast Region

• Rilla Foster, Southwest Region

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2008

• Wapakoneta Theatre Guild, Northwest Region

• Lara Cotton, Southeast Region

• Rob Bucher, Southwest Region

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2007

• Joy Schmitt, Central Region

• Jim Morrison, Northeast Region

• Jim Cook, Northwest Region

• Karen Moffitt, Southeast Region

• Linda Roll, Southwest Region