And the Winner Is….

The spring of 2008 proved to be a fruitful time for Arizona Theatre Company in the awards arena.  Our Executive Director, Jessica L. Andrews and our Education Department were both honored, as well as our Season Sponsor, I. Michael Kasser.  Read about their accomplishments, plus news of an award of our own – the recipient of the 2008 Georgy Award!

2008 Individual Governor's Arts Award
On April 23rd, Governor Janet Napolitano presented ATC's Executive Director with the Governor's Arts Award in the Individual category, given to a living Arizonan who has made a significant impact on the arts in Arizona, through philanthropy, leadership and/or direct involvement.  Ms. Andrews was lauded for her 13 years with Arizona Theatre Company and her leadership in making it an organization of national prominence.

2008 Tucson Pima Arts Award
Arizona Theatre Company was honored on May 4th at the Fox Tucson Theatre with a 2008 Tucson Pima Arts Award for Excellence In Education in recognition of outstanding leadership, innovation and creativity in arts education.

"Thank you to the Tucson Pima Arts Council and congratulations to everyone on the ATC staff for this wonderful award," said Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein. "Community is at the heart of our mission. Education, outreach, and the joy of engagement with our diverse communities throughout our region are central to why ATC exists. Everyone here undertakes that responsibility with single-minded purpose. Most significantly, thanks to ATC's educational staff, teaching artists and Education Director Samantha Wyer for embracing their charge with such energy and spirit. We are proud of this honor and will use it as a springboard to deepen and broaden our educational resources."

2008 Fathers of the Year
Arizona Theatre Company Trustee and Season Sponsor, I. Michael Kasser was honored at the 14th annual Fathers of the Year Awards Dinner & Gala, presented by Father’s Day Council Tucson at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort on Saturday, June 14, 2008. This event honored five prominent Tucsonans because they are excellent fathers, successful in their professions and dedicated to their communities.

The Fathers of the Year awards program not only honors outstanding men annually, it also raises money to help children with Type 1 (formerly known as juvenile) diabetes, making a difference in the lives of children by helping to fund the important team of diabetes researchers at the Steele Children’s Research Center at The University of Arizona.

2008 Georgy Award
Arizona Theatre Company is pleased to announce the recipient of its prestigious Georgy Award: John Hudak, Partner and Publisher of Madden Publishing, and a member of the committee that worked to save the Temple of Music and Art from destruction. Mr. Hudak will be recognized during ATC’s Gala 2008 at the Temple of Music and Art on Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Named for ATC Trustee Emeritus and benefactor George Rosenberg, the Georgy Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has made a meaningful contribution to theatre in our community. Proceeds from ATC’s Gala support our education and community-based programs to enhance the theatre experience and foster the artists and audiences of the future.