We’re pleased to share that a new award is being given this year under the auspices of the annual Gregory Awards in honor of our late friend, Melissa Hines.
The Gregory Awards are proud to present the Melissa Hines Award for Outstanding Theatre Practitioner. The recipient of this behind-the-scenes award will be honored for their involvement with theatre in Washington State over the last year. This honor is named in memory of the late Melissa Hines, the stalwart managing director of the Empty Space Theatre, arts leader and funding program manager for the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs from 2004-2011. This new category is intended to honor those dedicated individuals who make theatre possible, enabling artists to do their art, but who often are not recognized by curtain calls, reviews or awards. This category may include production crew and stage management, volunteers, administrators, board members, donors and patrons.
As Misha Berson stated in Melissa’s obituary on April 11, 2011 in the Seattle Times, “They don’t get the audience applause and the critical acclaim. But without the hard work and passionate commitment of behind-the-scenes people like Melissa Hines, Seattle would not have the vibrant performing arts scene the city is celebrated for.”
To nominate someone you know for this category, please submit 200 words or less to melissahinesaward@gregoryawards.org by August 31, 2012.
More on Melissa here.
– Calandra Childers, Communications & Outreach Manager
