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The Guy Adkins AwardOn July 17, 2011, Porchlight Music Theatre presented the first annual Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to L. Walter Stearns in recognition of his 14 years as Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre. The Guy Adkins Award celebrates an individual who has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the state of the art of Chicago music theatre. Of the conception of the award, Guy’s longtime partner, Sean Allan Krill commented, "Guy loved theatre, and he loved music. He had a profound respect and admiration for any individual who strives to achieve their best, to create great art, and to share it passionately, proudly and wholeheartedly with an audience. I can't think of a better way to honor his indubitable spirit than to encourage Chicago music theatre artists to continue to strive for excellence in their field, and to commend them for the advancement of this great art form." At the July Gala, Artistic Director Michael Weber made the following comments: "The musical is such a rarified animal in the world of theatre and requires exceptional talent in all departments to execute it well, let alone brilliantly. A director must have an extensive grasp on the rudiments of music, choreography and multiple moving set pieces, a designer mustn’t blush at the prospect of potentially over one hundred costume pieces in a production and an actor can no longer afford to be simply a triple threat, now they must play a musical instrument, write, compose and improvise too. For nearly twenty years, Chicago stages were graced with the presence of an artist who had such a galvanic quantity of all these talents, who’s power in performance was so overwhelming, he practically defied you not to be exhilarated the moment he walked on stage. His name was Guy Adkins.
The Guy Adkins Award
for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago
-Criteria
-A person who has demonstrated a profound respect and admiration for the art and craft of music theatre.
-A person who has made a noticeable impact on the state of the art of music theatre in Chicago.
-A person who strives to achieve their best, to create great art, and to share it passionately, proudly and wholeheartedly with an audience.
-A person who, in the form of music theatre, has made the community of Chicago a better place for their efforts.
-A person who has extended himself or herself to assist others in realizing their desire to participate in the making of music theatre.
Members of The Guy Adkins Award Committee Cheryl Coons Diane Hires James Jensen Sean Allan Krill Michael Weber |
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