Tickets On Sale for Arts For Life’s Best Performance Awards July 2

Tickets On Sale for Arts For Life’s Best Performance Awards July 2

Chris Moore to emcee, Nancy Bortosky to receive the Life Achievement Award

Tickets are now available for the Arts For Life’s 23rd Best Performance Awards on July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center, 1 James J. Eagan Drive, Florissant, Mo. 63033.

Local singer-actor-dancer-director Chris Moore will be the master of ceremonies. At last year’s return to a live ceremony, he won the Best Actor in a Comedic Role Award for his performance as the Donkey in “Shrek,” which was produced by the Kirkwood Theatre Guild.

Chris Moore

He directed “Godspell” for Take Two Productions this spring. Other recent theatrical credits include Cutler in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at Clayton Community Theatre; in the ensemble of New Line Theatre’s “Urinetown” and “Head Over Heels,” and as a minstrel and Peter Quince in “Something Rotten!”; “Dreamgirls,” “Guys and Dolls,” and in the Polar Express event at Union Station. He will be part of New Line’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” production this June.

A graduate of Hazelwood Central High School, in addition to acting, Chris has a growing social media platform where he enjoys creating content about self-worth and being your most authentic self.

Awards will be presented in 30 categories. The BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions beginning a year after the nonprofit organization AFL was founded in 1999.

“Arts For Life provides a community recognition program to spotlight the incredible talent we have in St. Louis community theater and honor the passion and dedication of those who build this amazing and unique theatrical community,” said Mary McCreight, AFL president.

Nancy Bortosky, executive director of DaySpring Arts and Education, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. She founded DaySpring in 1993 as a daytime arts program for homeschoolers and an after-school arts program for the community.

Under her direction the past 29 years, DaySpring has grown into a community organization offering dance, musical theatre, drama, fine arts, and music classes and performances, as well as offering an accredited Pre-K through 12th grade hybrid model Academy.

This year DaySpring will have produced five musicals, a mixed-bill ballet, a drama, numerous instrumental and vocal music recitals, and end-of-the-year drama, musical theatre, and dance recitals. Nancy has been instrumental in growing these programs. She plans to retire this year.

Nominations are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.

Formal attire is requested. A cash bar will be available. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m.

BPA tickets are available online at $30 with a service fee of $2 added, which can be purchased at: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/.

You can download a mail order form online and save the service fee. Reservations can be arranged via mail. If ordering for a group, please attach a list of individual names for box office pick-up. Please make check payable to ARTS FOR LIFE and mail to PO Box 16426, St. Louis, MO 63125.

All BPA ticket orders will be held at the box office on event day.

Please contact us at afltrg@artsforlife.org if you have any special seating needs or COVID-19 related concerns. Handicapped seating is available.

Award Nominations

Four youth musicals presented by Gateway Center for the Performing Arts — “13” (8), “Bonnie and Clyde” (10), “A Christmas Story” (2), and “Something Rotten!” (13) — combined for 35 nominations, the most of any community theater or youth group. Gateway Center for the Performing Arts is based in Webster Groves.

Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., led all St. Louis area – metro-east Illinois community theater groups, with 25 — 14 for the classic musical “The Pajama Game” and 11 for the Steve Martin-Edie Brickel musical “Bright Star.”

Christ Memorial Productions received 13 nominations for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Goshen Theatre Project in Collinsville, Ill., earned 12 – 11 nominations for “Percy Jackson: Lightning Thief” and 1 for “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Spotlight Productions had 12 nominations for “The Addams Family.”

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild had nine BPA nominations for “Little Shop of Horrors,” as did Hawthorne Players in Florissant for “A Chorus Line.”

Act Two in St. Peters had eight BPA nominations for “The Full Monty.”

Other groups receiving nominations included Looking Glass Players, 6; Over Due Theatre, 6; Curtain’s Up Theater, 2; DaySpring Arts and Education, 2; and Young People’s Theatre, 1.

Florissant Performing Arts Center

Arts For Life is dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

Arts For Life Announces Theatre Mask Award Winners For Plays in ’22

Arts For Life Announces Theatre Mask Award Winners For Plays in ’22

Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s comedy “Calendar Girls” and Hawthorne Players’ drama “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” swept the eighth annual Theatre Mask Awards on April 15.

Through the nonprofit organization Arts For Life, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015. This year recognized community theatre achievements in 2022.

TMA Chairperson Melissa Boyer said 25 shows were eligible, produced by 11 community theatres.

“This has been a very busy year and the quality of shows this year couldn’t have been better,” Boyer said.

AFL President Mary McCreight said it was more shows than ever before and congratulated all involved for the hard work they did.

“Thank you to the theater groups pursuing their dreams…you do it to bring smiles to the audience and to cultivate appreciation for the arts,” she said.

“Calendar Girls” won 7 for Outstanding Production of a Comedy, Performance by an Ensemble Cast of a Large Production, Director of a Comedy Deanna Jent, Lead Actress in a Comedy Kay Martin Love as Annie, Supporting Actor in a Comedy Gerry Love as John, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Gabi Maul as Celia, and Costume Design Cherol Thibaut.

The play is based on the true story of 11 Women Institute members in a small village in England’s Yorkshire Dales who pose for an ‘alternative’ calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund. It was adapted from the 2003 film.

Dan Wolfe as Christopher in “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” Photo by Jim Wolfe.

“A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” won 5, for Outstanding Production of a Drama, Lead Actor Dan Wolfe as Christopher, Director of a Drama Ken Clark, Set Design Ken Clark, and Lighting Design Eric Wennlund.

The drama, adapted from a novel by Mark Haddon as a play-within-a-play, involves many visual effects and projections. It’s a mystery around the neighbor’s dog’s death, which is being investigated by Christopher, who is autistic and a math prodigy.

Hawthorne Players in Florissant had received 18 nominations, with 10 for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” and 8 for “Picnic,” leading all St. Louis area-metro-east Illinois community theater groups.

Tim Kelly, who won for his portrayal of Col. Nathan Jessup in “A Few Good Man” at The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.” Kim Klick photo.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild had 15 TMA nods, with 11 for “Calendar Girls” and 4 for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Jan Meyer, as Big Mama Politte, won Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in the Tennessee Williams production.

Two performers from O’Fallon Theatre Works were recognized – Susan Wylie as Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role – Drama, for playing Constance Blackwood in “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” and Ben Ketcherside as Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role – Comedy for playing William Shakespeare in “Shakespeare in Love.”

Tim Kelly, as Col. Nathan Jessup in “A Few Good Men,” won Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in Drama for the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves production.

Monroe Actors Stage Company won for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast of a Small Production for “Footlight Frenzy.”

In their heartfelt speeches, winners expressed gratitude for theater families and the bonds that are created during a show’s preparation and production.

“Storytelling builds community,” said director Deanna Jent, winner for “Calendar Girls.”

Director Ken Clark, winner for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” said the support that happens is the most special aspect.

“Relationships are the real reward,” he said.

The Hawthorne Players team paid tribute to posthumous nominee Natalee Damron, 29, who died three weeks after the show closed. She had suffered from a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Clark said Natalee had played her dream role, the teacher mentor Siobhan. He introduced her mother, Pamela, who was on hand for the ceremony.

Amanda McMichael was the master of ceremonies. She won the TMA in 2020 for Lead Actress in a Comedy, for Act Two Theatre’s “Plaza Suite,” which was performed in 2019. She was a 2023 nominee as Yvonne in “The Dinner Party” at Wentzville’s Connection Theatre Company. She is also a small business owner of Once Upon a Time in St. Charles’ historic business district.

She reminded everyone of the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, the year she won, picking up her award in a parking lot “like a carpool lane.” She wanted to point out how far we have come to return to live theater.

A luncheon at Andre’s Banquet Center South in St. Louis was part of this year’s festivities. Presenters included past winners Caitlin Bromberger, Nancy Crouse, Jonathan Garland, Jackie Goodall, Brittany Kohl Hester, Grayson Jostes, Chris Lanham, Elle Lanham, Ken Lopinot, Mary McCreight, Julie Petraborg, and Shane Rudolph. Natalie Klick was the Trophy Assistant.

“I loved seeing everyone come together and laugh and catch up with each other,” Boyer said. “I want to commend Amanda McMichael for her well-paced, hilarious job as the emcee. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the Theatre Mask Awards. It was really fun!” 

Calendar Girls in attendance with Trophy Assistant Natalie Klick

McCreight said the awards ceremony went off without a hitch last Saturday.

“As always, there was lots of friendly chatter among theatre groups and cheering for each other when winners were announced,” she said. “I am loving the camaraderie among the actors, directors, crews and family. Can’t wait to do it all over again next year.”

Participating AFL groups in the Theatre Mask Awards include Act Two Theatre, Clayton Community Theatre, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, and Wentzville Connection Community Theatre.

The TMAs were judged by 29 volunteers who traversed a 35-mile radius in the St. Louis metropolitan area and metro-east Illinois region to assess eligible productions.

David Wicks Jr. is the Theatre Recognition Guild chairman. Keaton Treece was the 2022 TMA secretary and Jadienne Davidson is the 2023 TMA secretary.

Nominations and awards are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.

Cast and team of “A Curious Incident’

Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

More information is on the website about the 23rd Best Performance Awards on July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions since 1999.

For more information, email afltrg@artsforlife.org or visit the website, www.artsforlife.org

Cover photo of “Calendar Girls” by Dan Donovan

Ben Ketcherside, who played William Shakespeare, in “Shakespeare in Love” at O’Fallon Theatre Works. Kim Klick Photo
Susan Wylie of “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” at O’Fallon Theatre Works. Kim Klick photo.

Tickets Deadline is April 10 for AFL’s Theatre Mask Awards

Tickets Deadline is April 10 for AFL’s Theatre Mask Awards

Amanda McMichael to host the eighth annual event April 15

Amanda McMichael will be the master of ceremonies for the eighth annual Theatre Mask Awards, which will be presented on April 15, sponsored by Arts For Life. Tickets must be ordered by April 10.

Through the nonprofit organization AFL, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015.

“Arts For Life provides a community recognition program. These events recognize the incredible talent we have in St. Louis community theater and honor the passion and dedication of those who build this amazing and unique theatrical community,” said Mary McCreight, AFL president.

This year’s TMAs includes a luncheon menu starting at 11 a.m., with doors open at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 15, at Andre’s Banquet Center South, 4254 Telegraph Road, St. Louis.

Cocktail attire is suggested. Seating will be eight per table, and seating assignments will be available at the entrance.

Tickets, including full brunch, are $28 each, with a $2 fee if you purchase tickets online. Here is the link for purchase or to download a form to mail-in: https://artsforlife.org/2023-ceremony-tickets

The buffet menu includes chicken parmesan, roast beef, cavatelli con broccoli, Italian potatoes, salad, rolls, brownies, soft drinks, and coffee. Only a cash bar is available. There is an ATM machine on the premises.

McMichael won the TMA in 2020 for Lead Actress in a Comedy, for Act Two Theatre’s “Plaza Suite,” which was performed in 2019. She has participated and is supportive of local community theater, and is also a small business owner, of Once Upon a Time, in St. Charles’ historic business district.

Award Nominations

For the TMAs, the Hawthorne Players in Florissant received 18 nominations for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” (10) and “Picnic” (8), leading all St. Louis area – metro-east Illinois community theater groups.

The O’Fallon Theatre Works had 16 for TMAs – “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” (8) and “Shakespeare in Love.”

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild had 15 TMA nods for “Calendar Girls” (11) and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (4).

Act Two in St. Peters 12 TMA nods for “Arsenic and Old Lace” (10) and “Any Number Can Die” (2).

Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., earned eight nominations for “Moon Over Buffalo” (4), “Footlight Frenzy” (3) and “Night Must Fall” (1).

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves received six for “A Few Good Men” (5) and “Farce of Habit” (1). Goshen Theatre Project in Collinsville, Ill., earned four for the comedy “Puffs.” Wentzville Connection Theatre earned four for “The Dinner Party.” Clayton Community Theatre earned three nominations – “Broadway Bound” (2) and “Uncommon Women and Others” (1). KTK had one nomination for “The Gingerbread Lady.”

Nominations are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.

Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

For more information, email afltrg@artsforlife.org or visit the website, www.artsforlife.org

More information is on the website about the 23rd Best Performance Awards on July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions since AFL’s founding in 1999.

Last year’s winner

Tickets Available For AFL’s Theatre Mask Awards on April 15

Tickets Available For AFL’s Theatre Mask Awards on April 15

Tickets are now available for the Theatre Mask Awards on April 15, sponsored by Arts For Life.

Through the nonprofit organization AFL, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015.

This year’s ninth annual Theatre Mask Awards includes a luncheon starting at 11 a.m., with doors open at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 15, at Andre’s Banquet Center South,  4254 Telegraph Road, St. Louis.

Cocktail attire is suggested. Seating will be eight per table, and seating assignments will be available at the entrance.

Tickets, including full meal, are $28 each, with a $2 fee if you purchase tickets online. Here is the link for purchase or to download a form to mail-in: https://artsforlife.org/2023-ceremony-tickets

A cash bar is available. There is an ATM machine on the premises.

Award Nominations

Nominations are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.

“Arts For Life provides a community recognition program. These events recognize the incredible talent we have in St. Louis community theater and honor the passion and dedication of those who build this amazing and unique theatrical community,” said Mary McCreight, AFL president.

For the TMAs, the Hawthorne Players in Florissant received 18 nominations for “A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” (10) and “Picnic” (8), leading all St. Louis area – metro-east Illinois community theater groups.

The O’Fallon Theatre Works has 16 for TMAs – “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” (8) and “Shakespeare in Love” (8)

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild has 15 TMA nods for “Calendar Girls” (11) and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (4).

Act Two in St. Peters has 12 TMA nods for “Arsenic and Old Lace” (10) and “Any Number Can Die” (2).

Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., earned eight nominations for “Moon Over Buffalo” (4), “Footlight Frenzy” (3) and “Night Must Fall” (1).

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves received six for “A Few Good Men” (5) and “Farce of Habit” (1). Goshen Theatre Project in Collinsville, Ill., earned four for the comedy “Puffs.” The new Wentzville Connection Theatre earned four for “The Dinner Party.” The Clayton Community Theatre earned three nominations – “Broadway Bound” (2) and “Uncommon Women and Others” (1). KTK Productions has one nomination for “The Gingerbread Lady.”

Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

For advertising rates, BPA event sponsorship or more information, email afltrg@artsforlife.org or visit the website, www.artsforlife.org

More information will be forthcoming on the 23rd Best Performance Awards on July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions since AFL’s founding in 1999.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s ‘Shrek’ Sweeps Best Performance Awards

Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s ‘Shrek’ Sweeps Best Performance Awards

Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s “Shrek the Musical” won 10 Best Performance Awards from Arts For Life on June 12, earning honors as Best Large Ensemble musical, director, music director, choreography, actor, actress, featured actor, supporting actor, comedic actor, and lighting design. They had received 12 nominations.

The Gateway Center for Performing Arts, which is a professional training center based in Webster Groves, won 10 awards in the youth production categories – five for “Annie” and five for “Cabaret. They had earned 25 nominations, the most of any group.

Others receiving recognition included the Goshen Theatre Project, based in Collinsville, Ill., which won four for “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” and Take Two Productions won three for “Fun Home,” including Best Small Ensemble Musical. Spotlight Productions and Hawthorne Players won one each.

The annual awards returned to a live ceremony after a virtual one in 2020 and a cancellation in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. About 365 people attended the scaled-down presentation at the Frontenac Hilton’s Clayton Ballroom.

Arts For Life, founded in 1999, has been recognizing excellence in community theater with an awards program for 20 years

The annual youth scholarship award winners were announced. Jacob Moore of Dardenne Prairie and Theo Kronemer of Richmond Heights will receive $500 each to pursue a career in the arts. Moore, a graduate of St. Dominic High School in O’Fallon, Mo., plans to attend Missouri State University and major in musical theater. Kronemer, a graduate of Clayton High School, plans to attend Carnegie-Mellon University and major in theater production and design.

BPA winners were announced in 30 categories from nominations from the shortened 2020 and 2021 theater seasons.

Charlie Wehde was honored with the Best Youth Musical Performance Award for his portrayal of Jack in “Into the Woods” at DaySpring Academy.

In their acceptance speeches, winners emphasized that productions are put on by teams, and often recognized their theater “family” and “community.” Most made it a point to say how grateful they were to return to working on shows after being dark for so many months during the public health crisis that has dominated the past three years.

Cherol Thibault, president of Kirkwood Theatre Guild, and Adam Grun, the director

Adam Grun, who directed “Shrek the Musical” at Kirkwood Theatre Guild, spoke of the long journey with multiple delays and setbacks. Originally set to be performed in May 2020, it was cast and forced to shut down. He was brought in three weeks before rehearsals began for the reboot. The show went on in September 2021, opening KTG’s 89th season.

“We had three weeks to get everything going. It was the fastest I had ever analyzed a script. Not everyone from the original cast came back. We had all but one lead come back. So that was a big help. Most of the people had multiple roles, so they had to change like eight times during the show. It was a great cast. And I was lucky that Tom Murray (original director) had cast such a great group of people,” he said.

Stephen Peirick, who accepted the Best Small Ensemble Musical Award, said: “’Fun Home’ winning the BPA for Small Ensemble Production was truly the icing on the cake to a fantastic experience, that could not have happened without the dedication, talents, time, and energy of the Take Two Productions Board, our talented cast, our amazing music director and band, as well as our outstanding behind the scenes crew. Time spent with this group was reward enough, yet we’re appreciative of the opportunity to have our show recognized and, in return, be able to recognize all those who made this experience possible.’

Paul Pagano, executive director of Gateway Center for Performing Arts, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who was a part of the BPAs yesterday and for the opportunity to showcase and celebrate so much talent in the St. Louis community. There were so many incredible theatre companies and artists represented, and we are proud to be counted as storytellers among them!”

Mary McCreight, president of the AFL Board of Directors, commented about participating groups’ dedication.

“The Arts For Life Best Performance Awards shined on June 12 with love of musical theater among the community. Young and old performed and celebrated with each other after a three-year break,” she said. “It was magical and assured a future for Arts For Life.”

Musical numbers from eight nominated musicals “Annie,” “Cabaret,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Fun Home,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” “Nunsense,” “Shrek,” and “Young Frankenstein” were performed.

Veteran performers and BPA winners Gerry and Kay Love were the co-hosts, and Kimmie Kidd-Booker, another BPA winner and AFL board member, joined the Loves for the opening number “Show People” from “Curtains.”

Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it in the St. Louis metropolitan and metro-east Illinois region.

Nominations were announced Jan. 22 at the annual Trivia Night, which was a virtual event. They are listed on the website at www.artsforlife.org.

Prior to the pandemic, 15 theater groups and 10 youth-only groups participated in the BPAs As the region’s mitigations efforts were ongoing the past two years, only four youth-only groups and nine community theater organizations produced BPA-eligible musicals 2021.

 Groups participating in this year’s BPAs include Christ Memorial Productions, Dayspring Arts and Education, Gateway Center for Performing Arts, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, OverDue Theatre, and Spotlight Productions.

For more information, visit the website at www.artsforlife.org

Here is the list of winners:

Best Large Ensemble Musical – “Shrek the Musical,” Kirkwood Theatre Guild

Best Small Ensemble Musical – “Fun Home,” Take Two Productions

Best Youth Production – “Cabaret,” Gateway Center for Performing Arts

Best Director – Adam Grun, “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Youth Director – Paul Pagano, “Cabaret,” Gateway Center for Performing Arts

Paul Pagano, Gateway Center for the Performing Arts

Best Music Director – Sean Bippen, “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Youth Music Director – Lori Barrett-Pagano, “Cabaret,” GCPA

Best Choreography – Kim Klick, “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Youth Choreography – Stephanie Fox, “Cabaret,” GCPA

Best Actor in a Leading Role – Christopher Strawhun, Shrek in “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Actress in a Leading Role – Dawn Schmid, Fiona in “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Youth Actor in a Leading Role – Andrew Maroney, Emcee in “Cabaret,” GCPA

Best Youth Actress in a Leading Role – Sarah Moll, Grace, “Annie,” GCPA

Best Actor in a Featured Role – John Emery, Lord Farquaad in “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Actress in a Featured Role – Zoe Maya Miller, Medium Alison in “Fun Home,” Take Two

Best Actor in a Comedic Role – Chris Moore, Donkey in “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Actress in a Comedic Role – Sophie Kluba, Betty Jane in “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” Hawthorne Players

Chris Moore, Donkey in “Shrek the Musical”

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jack Nichols, Pinocchio in “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Natalie Cochran, Cogsworth in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Goshen Theatre Project

Best Youth Actor in a Supporting Role – Dan Wolfe, Rooster in “Annie,” GCPA

Best Youth Actress in a Supporting Role – Evelyn Vordtriede, Lily St. Regis, “Annie,” GCPA

Best Actor/Actress in a Cameo or Non-Singing Role: Jayson Heil, Narrator, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” GTP

Best Juvenile Performance – Kya Wonders, Carpet, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” GTP


Best Set Design – Stephen Peirick, Josh Smith, “Fun Home,” Take Two Productions

Terry Pattison, Best Costume Design, Goshen Theatre Project

Best Youth Set Design – Laura Skroska, “Annie,” GCPA

Best Lighting Design – Stephanie Draper, “Shrek the Musical,” KTG

Best Youth Lighting Design – Ryan Luedloff, “Matilda,” Spotlight Productions

Best Costume Design – Terry Pattison, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” GTP

Best Youth Costume Design – Tracey A. Newcomb, “Annie,” GCPA

Photos by Don Quon

Kirkwood Theatre Guild cast and crew of “Shrek”

Tickets Available to AFL’s Best Performance Awards June 12

Tickets Available to AFL’s Best Performance Awards June 12

Don’t have tickets yet? Some seats remain for Arts For Life’s 22nd Best Performance Awards at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, which will honor excellence in community musical theater and youth productions.

It will be the first time the annual event is live and in-person since 2019. Musical numbers from eight nominated musicals “Annie,” “Cabaret,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Fun Home,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” “Nunsense,” “Shrek,” and “Young Frankenstein” will be performed.

This year’s venue is the Clayton Ballroom at the Frontenac Hilton, 1335 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis 63131. Seating will be general admission theater-style seating.

Formal attire is requested. Face masks are recommended. A cash bar and light snacks will be available for purchase.

Veteran performers and BPA winners Gerry and Kay Love are the co-hosts, and Kimmie Kidd-Booker, another BPA winner and AFL board member, will join the Loves for the opening number.

This year’s BPAs include nominees from the shortened 2020 and 2021 theater seasons. Winners will be announced in 30 categories.

The Gateway Center for the Performing Arts’ youth musicals “Annie” and “Cabaret” earned 25 nominations – 14 and 11 respectively, to lead all groups.

Goshen Theatre Project in Collinsville, Ill., received the most community theater nominations, 16, with 11 for “Disney’s The Beauty and the Beast” and five for “Nunsense.”

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild in Kirkwood, Mo., earned 12 for the musical adaptation of the fairy tale “Shrek,” while St. Louis’ Take Two Productions received 10 for their regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical “Fun Home.”

The Hawthorne Players in Florissant, Mo., received eight nominations for the jukebox musical comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes” while Monroe Actors Stage Company of Waterloo, Ill., garnered seven for the Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation “Young Frankenstein.”

Charlie Wehde will receive a special youth musical recognition award. He was honored for the Best Youth Musical Performance for his portrayal of Jack in “Into the Woods” at DaySpring Academy.

AFL’s annual pair of talent scholarship recipients will be announced. Honorees must pursue an arts career in higher education.

The annual event was held virtually in 2020 but cancelled in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“These events recognize the incredible talent we have in St. Louis community theater and honor the passion and dedication of those who build this amazing and unique theatrical community,” said Mary McCreight, president of Arts For Life.

Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it in the St. Louis metropolitan and metro-east Illinois region.

Nominations were announced Jan. 22 at the annual Trivia Night, which was a virtual event held during a surge in the Omicron variant cases of COVID-19 last winter. They are listed on the website at www.artsforlife.org.

Starting in mid-March 2020, productions were postponed and canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, and safety precautions have been a priority for performers and performances because of the public health crisis. Theaters are no longer dark, and judging resumed in 2021.

“While we did about half the usual number of shows in 2021, it did not diminish Arts for Life’s vision for a community recognition program,” McCreight said.

Prior to the pandemic, 15 theater groups and 10 youth-only groups participated in the BPAs As the region’s mitigations efforts were ongoing the past two years, only four youth-only groups and nine community theater organizations produced BPA-eligible musicals 2021.

BPA tickets are $25, They are available online with a service fee of $2 added: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/ and can be picked up at the box office on event day.

For special seating needs or COVID-19 related concerns, contact afltrg@artsforlife.org. Handicapped seating is available

Groups participating in this year’s BPAs include Christ Memorial Productions, Dayspring Arts and Education, Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, OverDue Theatre, and Spotlight Productions.

For more information, visit the website at www.artsforlife.org

Gerry and Kay Love to Co-Host AFL’s Best Performance Awards June 12

Gerry and Kay Love to Co-Host AFL’s Best Performance Awards June 12

Early Bird Ticket Price Good Through May 12

Two versatile professional performers well-known in community theater circles and support for the arts community, Gerry and Kay Love, have been named co-hosts of this year’s Best Performance Awards.

After a two-year absence, Arts For Life will return to a live and in-person awards ceremony June 12, and tickets are now available for the formal afternoon event at the Frontenac Hilton.

Through AFL, the BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions in the St. Louis and metro-east Illinois area since 2000, after the nonprofit organization was founded a year earlier.

Kay Love has won nine BPAs, all in the acting categories, the third most overall in the organization’s history, and has been nominated 29 times, a record for actresses.

Gerry Love has been nominated 12 times and won as the Narrator in Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s production of “Into the Woods” in 2000, for best performance in a non-singing role.

Kay Love in Stray Dog Theatre’s ” Ragtime”

They both have been nominated for St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, which recognizes excellence in regional professional theater.

“We are thrilled to be the hosts of the 2022 BPA’s.  We were involved with Arts For Life at its inception and are so happy to see how it has grown over the years. After two years of sitting on our couch, we will be ecstatic to spend the afternoon with so many dear friends!” Kay Love said.

AFL President Mary McCreight praised the Loves’ fervent support of the local arts community as well as their talent.

“They are definitely in the cream of the crop in St. Louis,” McCreight said. “They have a rich history in musicals, plays, concerts, and benefits.”

Plans For This Year’s Event

The 22nd Best Performance Awards will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, at the Frontenac Hilton, Clayton Ballroom, 1335 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis 63131.

This year’s BPAs include nominees from the shortened 2020 and 2021 theater seasons. Songs from musicals nominated for large ensemble, small ensemble and youth productions will be performed, with Diane Hanisch returning as music director.

Kimmie Kidd-Booker

Kimmie Kidd-Booker, a past BPA winner, current AFL board member, and professional entertainer, will perform “Show People” from the musical “Curtains” as the opening number.

“So happy to see the enthusiasm among theater groups for recognizing excellence among their peers and cheering each other on. It was a tough year to get out there, rehearse, and be among crowds. But through their diligence and willpower, the magic happened. Let’s celebrate!” McCreight said.

The Theatre Mask Awards, which have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015, were held April 9 at a brunch ceremony.

Because of the coronavirus public health crisis, AFL held its BPAs and TMAs ceremonies virtually in 2020, while BPAs were not held in 2021, but TMAs were virtually, and in a smaller capacity.

Prior to the pandemic, 15 theater groups and 10 youth-only groups participated in the BPAs while 11 were involved in the TMAs. As the region’s mitigations efforts were ongoing the past two years, only four youth-only groups and nine community theater organizations produced BPA-eligible musicals while seven participated in TMAs in 2021.

BPA Nominations

Thirteen groups received nominations for 16 musical productions in 2020 and 2021.

The Gateway Center for the Performing Arts led all groups with 25 nominations in total for their youth musicals “Annie” and “Cabaret”– 14 for “Annie” and 11 for Kander-Ebb’s “Cabaret.”

Goshen Theatre Project in Collinsville, Ill., earned 16 nominations –with 11 for “Disney’s The Beauty and the Beast” and five for “Nunsense.”

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild in Kirkwood, Mo., has 12 for the musical adaptation of the animated fairy tale “Shrek,” while Take Two Productions earned 10 for their regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical “Fun Home.”

Hawthorne Players received eight for the jukebox musical comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes” and Monroe Actors Stage Company has seven for the Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation “Young Frankenstein.”

Looking Glass Players garnered a total of seven – The Tony Award 2014 winner for best musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” received four and the jukebox musical comedy “Rock of Ages” has three.

A complete list of nominees is available at: https://nebula.wsimg.com/5ec987b8d5580ca0c11ed016e97ce1a6?AccessKeyId=901C1079C3BABD637603&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Tickets $20 Through May 12 or $25 After

Formal attire is requested, and the event will be general admission theater-style seating. A cash bar will be available.

BPA tickets are either $20 as an early bird pricing before May 12, or $25 after that until June 12. They are available online with a service fee of $2 added: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/.

Reservations can be arranged through the mail and tickets can be picked up at the venues on event day. Please make check payable to ARTS FOR LIFE and mail to PO Box 16426, St. Louis, MO 63125.

All BPA ticket orders will be held at the box office unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included with ticket order. If ordering for a group, please attach a list of individual names for box office pick-up.

Please contact afltrg@artsforlife.org if you have any special seating needs or COVID-19 related concerns. Handicapped seating is available

Community theater organizations who produced shows and were eligible for BPA Awards consideration during the specified time period include Christ Memorial Productions, Dayspring Arts and Education, Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, Over Due Theatre, Spotlight Productions and Take Two Productions.

For more information or to see a list of nominees, visit the website at www.artsforlife.org

Kay Love

The Loves

The Loves, who live in Sunset Hills, met onstage at the Florissant Civic Center in 1994 and have been married for 25 years.

“We both have been singing all of our lives,” Kay said.

Gerry began acting in high school in Norman, Okla., in the dancing chorus of “Oklahoma” in 1969 and appeared in four more shows during those school days. After a 12-year hiatus, he returned to stages in Dallas, Texas, between 1982 and 1986. His first St. Louis production was in “42nd Street” at Hawthorne Players in 1988, and he was involved in their shows for 20 years. He also performed at other local venues, amateur and professional. Besides performing, he directed four shows, one for Alpha Players and three for Hawthorne.

Kay, a St. Louis native, has been in shows since seventh grade (“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”), graduated from Lindbergh High School, and attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Texas Christian University.

She performed on the Muny stage in 1985 and 1987, including four shows as an Equity actress – “My Fair Lady,” “Peter Pan,” “Around the World in 80 Days” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” She was also in two later concert versions of “The Desert Song” and “The Merry Widow.”

Kay has created and performed three solo cabaret shows. For many years, she has sung with The Jeweltones and Caroling St. Louis.

An avid photographer since 2007, Gerry has shot photos of 50 community theater and university productions, plus dance concerts and actor headshots, and produced videos. He is currently the primary photographer for Webster University’s Department of Dance. He also served on the boards for Kirkwood Theatre Guild and Hawthorne during his time in St Louis.

The Loves have sung at Carnegie Hall and have appeared with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus during multiple seasons.  

Gerry Love in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” at Stray Dog Theatre

Making a Dramatic Difference

Arts For Life is dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

Nominations were announced Jan. 22 at AFL’s annual Trivia Night, which was a virtual event during heightened COVID-19 cases earlier this winter. They are listed on the website, www.artsforlife.org.

Starting in mid-March 2020, productions were postponed and canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, and safety precautions have been a priority for performers and performances because of the coronavirus public health crisis. Now that vaccines and COVID-19 tests are available, stage work has returned, and theaters are no longer dark.

“While we did about half the usual number of shows in 2021, it did not diminish Arts for Life’s vision for a community recognition program,” McCreight said

“These events recognize the incredible talent we have in St. Louis community theater and honor the passion and dedication of those who build this amazing and unique theatrical community,” she said.

Arts For Life Announces Theatre Mask Award Winners in Drama, Comedy

Arts For Life Announces Theatre Mask Award Winners in Drama, Comedy

Two classic 1930s comedies and a World War II anti-fascist drama were multiple winners at the seventh annual Theatre Mask Awards presented by Arts For Life on April 9.

Award-winning theater companies included Act Two Theatre in St. Peters, Mo., Clayton Community Theatre, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., O’Fallon Theatre Works in O’Fallon, Mo., and the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.

Through the nonprofit organization AFL, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays in the St. Louis and metro-east Illinois metropolitan area since 2015.

Saturday was AFL’s first live and in-person awards event since 2019, although the TMAs were awarded virtually in 2020 and 2021.

Live theater returned at regional community theater companies in the St. Louis-metro-east metropolitan area last year, with nine productions eligible for TMAs.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild’s production of the 1939 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” won five awards, including acting honors for Ken Lopinot as Outstanding Leading Actor in a Comedy, for playing the insufferable house guest and NYC radio wit Sheridan Whiteside; Kent Coffel as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, for playing British actor/playwright Beverly Carlton; and Brittany Kohl Hester as Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy as Whiteside’s secretary Maggie Cutler. The play also won for Best Director Danny Brown and Costume Designer Abby Pastorello.

Company of “The Man Who Came to Dinner” at Kirkwood Theatre Company

The play features 38 parts. KTG led all groups with 13 nominations, and had tied the record for most acting nominations in a single show, with eight for “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” In 2019, Clayton Community Theatre garnered eight for Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues.”

Act Two Theatre in St. Peters, Mo., took home four awards for Noel Coward’s sophisticated ghost story “Blithe Spirit” — Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Ensemble of a Play, Jacki Goodall winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for portraying flamboyant medium Madame Arcati and Chase Coates for Best Lighting Design. They had received 11 nominations, second only to KTG.

Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., had nine nominations for Lillian Helman’s 1941 drama “Watch on the Rhine,” with two women winning for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama, Julia L. Petraborg as Sara Mueller, the American wife of the German engineer protagonist, and Caitlin Bomberger for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama as Marthe de Brancovis, who is married to a Nazi sympathizer.

Shane Rudolph

Other winners included Shane Rudolph for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Drama as escaped convict and ruthless killer Glenn Griffin in “The Desperate Hours,” which was presented by the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, and Jonathan Garland for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama as the philosophical pianist Toledo in August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” produced by Clayton Community Theatre.

Christopher Lanham and Ellie Lanham won Outstanding Set Design for their work on O’Fallon Theatre Work’s “Little Women.”

Seven award winners were first-time nominees. The 14 awards were presented during a brunch ceremony at The Christy in St. Louis.

This year’s TMAs were reduced from 19 to 14 awards, because of a smaller number of productions.

TMA Chairman Melissa Boyer was grateful to be celebrating theater again.

“2021 was a year of uncertainty, but I want to commend the passion and the bravery of our judges in venturing out to support our theaters. Congratulations to the many companies that were able to reopen this year with outstanding productions. And considering we only had a half a year – nine shows is outstanding,” Boyer said.

“So happy to see the enthusiasm among theater groups for recognizing excellence among their peers and cheering each other on. I heard many positive comments,” said AFL President Mary McCreight.

Mark Lull, a local actor, nine-time awards nominee, and member of the AFL board of directors, served as the emcee.

Presenters included Kelsey McCroskey, Jesse Resimius, Heather Sartin, Ellen Schroeder, Nathan Schroeder, Caitlin Souers and Keaton Treece. Stephen Anderson handed out the trophies.

The complete list of nominations can be found at: https://nebula.wsimg.com/9b9b1e3565835dd90498e28468ef7f1d?AccessKeyId=901C1079C3BABD637603&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Prior to the pandemic, 15 theater groups and 10 youth-only groups participated in the BPAs while 11 were involved in the TMAs. As the region’s mitigations efforts were ongoing the past two years, only four youth-only groups and nine community theater organizations produced BPA-eligible musicals while seven participated in TMAs in 2021.

Arts For Life is a local not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to the healing power of the arts through its work with youth, the underserved, and the community, with its goal of “Making a Dramatic Difference.”

AFL is dedicated to promoting public awareness of local community theatre, encouraging excellence in the arts, and acknowledging the incredible people who are a part of it.

Caitlin Bomberger “Watch on the Rhine,” MASC

Best Performance Awards June 12

Next up is the Best Performance Awards, which has honored musical theater in community and youth productions since AFL’s founding in 1999.

Because of the public health crisis, AFL held its BPAs virtually in 2020, while BPAs were not held in 2021.

The 22nd Best Performance Awards will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, at the Frontenac Hilton, Clayton Ballroom, 1335 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis 63131.

Formal attire is requested, and the event will be general admission theater-style seating. A cash bar will be available.

This year’s BPAs include nominees from the shortened 2020 and 2021 theater seasons.

BPA tickets are either $20 as an early bird pricing before May 12, or $25 after that until June 12. They are available online with a service fee of $2 added: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/.

Reservations can be arranged through the mail and tickets can be picked up at the venues on event day. Please make check payable to ARTS FOR LIFE and mail to PO Box 16426, St. Louis, MO 63125.

All BPA ticket orders will be held at the box office unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included with ticket order. If ordering for a group, please attach a list of individual names for box office pick-up.

Please contact us at afltrg@artsforlife.org if you have any special seating needs or COVID-19 related concerns. Handicapped seating is available

Groups participating in this year’s BPAs include Christ Memorial Productions, Dayspring Arts and Education, Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, Goshen Theatre Project, Hawthorne Players, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, KTK Productions, Looking Glass Playhouse, Monroe Actors Stage Company, O’Fallon Theatre Works, Over Due Theatre, Spotlight Productions and Take Two Productions.

For more information, visit the website at www.artsforlife.org

AFL’s Theater Mask Awards Ceremony Honoring 2021 Plays Set for April 9

AFL’s Theater Mask Awards Ceremony Honoring 2021 Plays Set for April 9

Live theater returned at local community theater companies last year, and Arts For Life will honor those efforts at this year’s Theatre Mask Awards on Saturday, April 9.

Three dramas and two comedies are vying for Outstanding Production at this year’s TMAs: the George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart comedy classic “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” by Kirkwood Theatre Guild in Kirkwood, Mo., which led all St. Louis area – metro-east Illinois community theater groups with 13 nominations; Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” by Act Two Theatre in St. Peters, Mo.; which has 11 nominations; the Tony-winning play “The Desperate Hours” by The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, which has five; Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” by O’Fallon Theatre Works in O’Fallon, Mo., which has seven; and August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” by Clayton Community Theatre, which has eight..

Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., has nine nominations for Lillian Helman’s drama “Watch on the Rhine.” Other productions that received nominations include “Lend Me a Tenor” by Looking Glass Playhouse in Lebanon, Ill., and “6 Rms Riv Vu” by the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.

The Man Who Came to Dinner at Kirkwood.has 13 nominations.

Let’s celebrate the return and resilience of community theater dramas and comedies in the bi-state region. And you get a tasty brunch too! To purchase tickets, here is the link: https://arts-for-life-2.square.site/

“Blithe Spirit” at Act Two Theatre has 11 nominations. Photo by Lori Biehl.

Arts For Life is returning to live and in-person awards ceremonies this spring, and tickets are now available for both the Theater Mask Awards on April 9 and Best Performance Awards on June 12.

This year’s eighth annual TMAs will take place starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at The Christy of St. Louis, 5856 Christy Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63116.

Talia Wright as Amy March in OTW’s “Little Women”


Cocktail attire is suggested. Seating will be eight per table, and seating assignments will be available at the entrance.

A brunch buffet featuring eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, hash browns, fruit salad and pasta con broccoli will be served. A cash bar will be available. TMA tickets are $28. Tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the event.

This year’s master of ceremonies for the TMAs will be Mark Lull, a nine-time AFL nominee, who won Best Performance by a Comedic Actor as Uncle Fester in Alfresco Productions’ “The Addams Family” in 2015.

The complete list of nominations can be found at: https://nebula.wsimg.com/9b9b1e3565835dd90498e28468ef7f1d?AccessKeyId=901C1079C3BABD637603&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at Clayton Community Theatre.


Through the nonprofit organization AFL, the TMAs have honored drama and comedy plays since 2015 while the BPAs have honored musical theater in community and youth productions since AFL’s founding in 1999.

Because of the public health crisis, AFL held its BPAs and TMAs ceremonies virtually in 2020, while BPAs were not held in 2021, but TMAs were virtually, and in a smaller capacity. This year’s BPAs include nominees from the shortened 2020 and 2021 theater seasons.

“Live and in person!” AFL President Mary McCreight exclaimed. “So happy to see the enthusiasm among theater groups for recognizing excellence among their peers and cheering each other on. It was a tough year to get out there, rehearse, and be among crowds. But through their diligence and willpower, the magic happened. Let’s celebrate!”

For more information, visit the website at www.artsforlife.org

“Watch on the Rhine” at MASC has nine nominations, including best ensemble.
The Desperate Hours at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.

Arts For Life Accepting Scholarship Applications – Deadline May 25

Arts For Life Accepting Scholarship Applications – Deadline May 25

Students who plan to pursue a career in the arts are eligible for an annual Arts For Life scholarship. The deadline is May 25 for submission, and two winners of $500 each will be announced at the Best Performance Awards on June 12.

Every year since 2012, the AFL board of directors has selected two college-age recipients through an application process. Requirements include pursuing a career in the arts, participation in local community theater, essays, and letter(s) of recommendation.

AFL is a non-for-profit arts and service organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating community and youth theatre in the St. Louis metropolitan and metro-east Illinois region.

Those entering college after high school graduation or continuing their college education in an arts undergraduate program must submit a completed application and cannot have been the primary recipient of a previous AFL scholarship.

An arts program includes, but is not exclusive to performing arts (music, dance, theatre) and visual arts (painting, sculpture, architecture, film, photography). Arts programs not defined as fine arts, but related to the arts, may be considered if superior work has been demonstrated in this area.

“As we watch music education and theatre programs rapidly die in our schools, the need to keep community theatre alive is more important now than ever. AFL, with the goal of ‘Making A Dramatic Difference,’ is passionate about the healing power of the performing arts, and is proud to salute, support, and serve the theatre groups in the Metro-St. Louis-Illinois area,” said Mary McCreight, president of the AFL board of directors.

To download an application: https://nebula.wsimg.com/e109f1e7c375e49d7ce981a697135ecd?AccessKeyId=901C1079C3BABD637603&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Besides a completed AFL Scholarship Application Form, which includes answers to essay questions and an information sheet that must be signed, the packet must include:

Resume of performing arts and/or visual arts experience.

List of metro St. Louis community theater involvement, either in the metro-east Illinois region or St. Louis city or county or St. Charles County.

List of any honors or awards received pertaining to involvement in the arts and/or scholastic achievement

One recommendation letter from a mentor in the arts: teacher, director, or board member.

Completed applications must be postmarked by May 25. Please mail completed applications to:  

ARTS FOR LIFE
Scholarship Application
P.O. Box 16426
St. Louis, MO  63125

You can also fill out the application online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/aflscholarship2022
Email completed application to afltrg@artsforlife.org.

Recipients will be notified of the award prior to the 22nd AFL Best Performance Awards on June 12, 2022.

For more information, contact afltrg@artsforlife.com.

Last year’s winners were Audrey Neace of Alton, Ill., and Isaiah Henry of St. Peters, Mo.,
Neace, a 2020 graduate of Alton High School, will be a sophomore at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., majoring in choral and music education/voice and opera. Henry, a 2020 graduate of Francis Howell Central High School, will be a sophomore at Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts, majoring in acting.