Topeka Civic Theatre and Helen Hocker Theater
  • Home
  • Ticket Information
  • Shows
    • TCT Mainstage Shows
    • TCT Studio Shows
    • TCT Academy/TYA Shows
    • Performance Companies
    • Helen Hocker Stage
  • Auditions
  • Camps & Classes
    • TCT Classes and Camps
    • HHT Summer Theater Camps
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Bravo
    • Art of Murder
  • About
    • About Us/Contact
    • Volunteer
    • Work With Us
    • Production and Board
    • Volunteer Awards
  • More
    • Home
    • Ticket Information
    • Shows
      • TCT Mainstage Shows
      • TCT Studio Shows
      • TCT Academy/TYA Shows
      • Performance Companies
      • Helen Hocker Stage
    • Auditions
    • Camps & Classes
      • TCT Classes and Camps
      • HHT Summer Theater Camps
    • DONATE
      • Donate
      • Bravo
      • Art of Murder
    • About
      • About Us/Contact
      • Volunteer
      • Work With Us
      • Production and Board
      • Volunteer Awards
Topeka Civic Theatre and Helen Hocker Theater
  • Home
  • Ticket Information
  • Shows
    • TCT Mainstage Shows
    • TCT Studio Shows
    • TCT Academy/TYA Shows
    • Performance Companies
    • Helen Hocker Stage
  • Auditions
  • Camps & Classes
    • TCT Classes and Camps
    • HHT Summer Theater Camps
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Bravo
    • Art of Murder
  • About
    • About Us/Contact
    • Volunteer
    • Work With Us
    • Production and Board
    • Volunteer Awards
In appreciation of the heart of our theaters, we present the

Volunteer Awards

For the 2021-22 season, over 500 volunteers worked on anything from building sets to seating guests. The generous contribution of their time for our last season is valued at more than $1.9 million! But to us they are priceless. These appreciation awards are a small measure of the gratitude we have for each of them.

Volunteer Recognition Awards

1987-88

1987-88

1987-88

 Jo Centlivre
Bonnie Gray
Donna Lambrecht
Kathi Killman
Debra McClelland
Cam McKinney
Greg Palmer
Sue Palmer
Fred Rookstool
Lee Rookstool
Sarah Wood-Clark 

1988-89

1987-88

1987-88

 Edie Carrol
Jo Centlivre
Chris Howe
Naomi Lawson
Ed Moody
Verne Morlan*
Fred Rookstool
Lee Rookstool 

1989-90

1987-88

1989-90

 Barb Berry
Melinda Cooper
John Heller*
Naomi Lawson
Verne Morlan*
Dennis Rafferty
Fred Rookstool
Lee Rookstool
George Walker*
Rick Von Feldt 

1990-91

1990-91

1989-90

 Melinda Cooper
Rob Davis
Kathi Killman
Verne Morlan*
Jennifer Page
George Walker 

1991-92

1990-91

1991-92

 Charles Andrews
Alisha Benaka
Deb Bruner
Dee Butterfield
Rob Davis
Clara Norris
Bobbette Garretson
George Walker* 

1992-93

1990-91

1991-92

 Melinda Cooper
Owren Hosier
Adam Jenks
Cindy Maude
Nancy Morse
Frank Schultz
Carolyn Terhune*
Carey Van Sickle 

1993-94

1995-1996

1993-94

 Carole Etzel
Anita Exline
Doug Exline
Clara Norris
John Heller*
Frank Schultz
George Walker* 

1994-95

1995-1996

1993-94

 Gary Bodenheimer
Melinda Cooper
Anita Exline
Terry Harbert
John Heller*
Judy Lydick
George Walker* 

1995-1996

1995-1996

1995-1996

 Tanya Dorf
Anita Exline
Doug Exline
Brendan Gilchrist*
Arlene Heere
Ron Kean
Cathy Kready
Nancy Paslay
Anita Pekarek
Alan Schultz* 

1996-97

1997-98

1995-1996

 Doug Exline
Doug Hamilton
John Heller*
Lorraine Ideus
Sandy Jenks
Ron Kean
Judy Lydick
Candice Massie
Alan Schultz*
Sharon Williams 

1997-98

1997-98

1997-98

 Doug Exline
John Heller*
Lorraine Ideus
Sandy Jenks
Ron Kean
Judy Lydick
Angela Peckham
Alan Schultz*
George Walker* 

1998-1999

1997-98

1997-98

 Doug Exline
Shirley Gorman
John Heller*
Bill Hamm
Lorraine Ideus
Kate Stires 

1999-2000

1999-2000

1999-2000

 Elisabeth Ahrens
Jo Centlevre
Doris Hurd
Cathy Kready
Joyce Ragsdale
Kathy Smith
Nancy Trickett
Carolyn Woodruff 

2000-2001

1999-2000

1999-2000

 Barbara Bruner
Shirley Gorman
Kathi Killman
Cathy Kready
Marge Murphy
Andrea Palko
Joyce Ragsdale
Nancy Schoenfelder
Kate Stires
Nancy Trickett
Doug Exline
Dick Corwin
Bill Harrin
John Heller*
George Walker* 

2001-2002

1999-2000

2001-2002

 Melinda Cooper
Doug Exline
Bill Hamm
Betty King
Cathy Kready
Joyce Lundgren
Paul & Billie McDonald
Brad Merryman
Ed Moody
Marge Murphy
Raymond Remp, Jr.
Carolyn Woodruff 

2002-2003

2002-2003

2001-2002

 Melinda Cooper
Don & Lynda Denton
Tanya Dorf
Michelle Haas
Jennifer Honeycutt
Naomi Lawson
Bob Lewis
Helen Newman
Ed Moody
Andrew Reynolds 

2003-2004

2002-2003

2003-2004

  Melinda Cooper
Doug Exline
Diane Good
Bill Hamm
Jan Howard
Jon Kready
Bridget Lachowsky
Naomi Lawson
Gary McPhail
Helen Newman
Raymond Remp, Jr
Virginia Starr
Pat Williams 

2004-2005

2002-2003

2003-2004

  Denise Butterfield
Dan Denton
Lynda Denton
Doug Exline
Bill Hamm
Kris Luber
Claire Ludwig
Gary McPhail
Ed Moody
Marge Murphy
Mary Orr
Dorianne Rees
Carolyn Woodruff 

2005-2006

2005-2006

2005-2006

 Cliff Alfrey
Melinda Cooper
Doug Exline
R.V. Fortner
Bill Hamm
Brad Merryman
Marge Murphy
Clara Norris
Martin "Cody" Peterson
Becky Schieferecke
Josh Witt
Brenda Zimmerman 

2006-2007

2005-2006

2005-2006

 Melinda Cooper
Doug Exline
Matt Hamel
Bill Hamm
J.C. Mentzer
Marge Murphy
Melissa Quirarte
Marc Rapp
Jeanine Schieferecke
Joan Shirron
Nona Williams
Carolyn Woodruff
Joyce Woolington 

2007-2008

2005-2006

2007-2008

  Louie Cortez
Skip Ellis
R.V. Fortner
Cortni Hurst
Betty King
Shaun Marcotte
Marge Murphy
Robin Murphy
Sara Myer
Virginia Starr
Jennifer Wilson
Josh Wit 

2008-2009

2009-2010

2007-2008

  Melinda Cooper
Thomas J. Hughes, Jr.
Cortni Hurst
Billie & Paul McDonald
Helen Newman
Ryan Ott
Marc Rapp
Melissa Quirarte
Raymond Remp, Jr.
Ron Smiley
Katy Wright  

2009-2010

2009-2010

2009-2010

 Jay Hurst
R.V. Fortner
Deesie Jackson
Betty King
Abby Hamel
Matt Hamel
Marge Murphy
Virginia Starr
Rebecca Stottlemire
Donna Bouye
Sara Myer
Martin "Kodi" Peterson 

2010-2011

2009-2010

2009-2010

 Denise Butterfield
Jan Howard
Tom Hughes
Roberta Johnson
Roger McCauley
Erin McGinnis
Ryan Ott
Marc Rapp
Frank Schultz
Alyssa Ward
Zach Ward
Carolyn Woodruff 

2011-2012

2011-2012

2011-2012

2012-2013

2011-2012

2011-2012

 Logan Best
Dee Butterfield
Bailey Carter
John Cummings
Dan Lindquist
Marc Rapp
Raymond Remp
Alyssa Ward 

2013-2014

2011-2012

2013-2014

  Dakota Mumford
Tatum Musick
Hunter Nelson
Denise Butterfield
Janet Thederahn
Deesie Jackson
David Timpany
Maggie Kelley
Diane Bahm
Sharon Bailey
Carolyn Edwards
Jan Howard,
Carolyn Woodruff
Doug Exline
Bill Hamm
Dick Gorman
Tom Heere 

2014-2015

2014-2015

2013-2014

Jeni Smith
Logan Best
Lea Ramos
Mary A Franz
Cherokee Reiman
Dakota Mumford
John Cummings
Mona Waltmire
Addy Mead
CJ Williams-Herrera 

2015-2016

2014-2015

2015-2016

  David Timpany
Randy Schmidt
Judi Ayers
Karen Bartlett
Jacob Bartlett
Josie Hoggatt
Marj Loyd
Cherokee Reiman
Lisa Dale
Davean Crawford
Liz Emmert
Dan Lindquist 

2016-2017

2014-2015

2015-2016

   Sharon Bailey
Brenda Blackman
Melinda Cooper
Marj Loyd
Larissa Goodwin
Jeni Smith
Betty King
Ainka Kweli
Susan Rank
TJ Wade
Doug Exline
Tom Heerer
Rollie Marolf 

2017-2018

2017-2018

2017-2018

2018-2019

2017-2018

2017-2018

 Walt Boyd
Tatum Church
Davean Crawford
Gayle Stine
Jordan Elliot
Roberta Johnson
Emily Mead
Sara & Tillie McIlvain
Marvin Stottlemire 

2019-2020

2017-2018

2019-2020

  

2020-2021

2021-2022

2019-2020

   

2021-2022

2021-2022

2021-2022

Twyla Broadbent

Lily Czechanski

Phoebe Edgerton-Kufhal

Grace Everett

Rick Flickinger

Logan Hortenstine

Maggie Kelley

LouAnne Maddox

Dusty Nichols

Susan Rank

Kent & Mona Waltmire

Rose Webber


Theatre in the Park

2012-13 Jim Ogle 

2013-14 Staff of Helen Hocker Theater: Joanna Lassley, Lynda Denton, Adam Jenks and Laurie Uhler   

2014-15 The Pourmirza Family 

2015-16 The Waltmire Family   

2016-17 The Mead Family 

2017-18  Morgan Boyer   

2018-19 Andrew Huff   

2021-22 Melanie Ralston

Created in 2013, following the establishment of a partnership between  Shawnee County Parks and Recreation and Topeka Civic Theatre for the  management of Helen Hocker Theater. The award was designed to  acknowledge the work of an individual, or a group of individuals, that  play an important role in the continued success of Helen Hocker Theater. 

WALDO B. HEYWOOD

  1955-56 George Schnellbacher* & Webb Woodward* 

1956-57 Everett Fetter*   

1957-58 Carmie Wolfe* 

1958-59 Euphemia B. Page* & Ernest C. Kieswetter*   

1959-60 John W. Ripley* 

1960-61 Mrs. Henry Blake*   

1961-62 Horace Moses* 

1962-63 None   

1963-64 Alexander Tillotson* 

1964-65 Harry Roth*   

1965-66 Mrs. Benjamin Franklin* 

1966-67 Mrs. Ada Montgomery*   

1967-68 Mrs. Catherine Menninger*

 1968-69 Charles Marshall*   

1969-70 None 

1970-71 Peggy Greene*   

1971-74 None 

  1974-75 Phyllis Moke*    

 1975-76 Ed Love*       

 1976-79 None

 1979-80 Donald Bachmann 

1980-81 Irv & Beth Sheffel*     

 1981-87 None 

1987-88 Georgia Neese* & Andy Gray* 

1988-91 None    

1991-92 Beth Fager  

1992-93 None   

1993-94 None 

1994-95 John & Ruth Stauffer   

1995-96 None 

1996-97 Tim & Carole Etzel   

1997-98 None 

1998-99 Jim Monroe*  

 1999-02 None 

2002-03 Irv & Peggy Sheffel   

2003-04 Liz Stratton 

2004-05 None   

2005-06 Irv Rosen 

2007-08 Steve Waugh   

2008-09 Kathy Smith, ArtsConnect 

2009-10 Gary Blitsch, Framewoods of Topeka   2010-11 The Schultz Family 

2011-12 Kevin Kellim   

2013-14 Mark Pudwill 

2014-15 Bill Blankenship  

2015-16 Vince Frye, Downtown Topeka 

2016-17 Larry  & Anita Wolgast   

2017-18 Steve Waugh    

2018-19 None

2019-20 None

2020-21 None

2021-22 Washburn Rural High School Drama Department

 This award may be given annually to the person in the  community who has contributed notably to the cultural life of Topeka;  whose significant leadership in the arts has made our community a better  place to live. Awarded since 1956.(Waldo B. Heywood, a charter member of TCT, board member, and  leading actor who died onstage in 1954 at the dress rehearsal for the  centennial pageant of the city of Topeka.) 

TNT Award

1990-91 Swan's Formal Wear 

1991-92 American Pre-Sort & Payless ShoeSource   

1992-93 Scotch Cleaners & Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. 

1993-94 BANK IV, Topeka   

1994-95 Hall Directory Printers, Inc. 

1995-96 Security Benefit Group of Companies   

1996-97 Western Resources 

1997-98 Stanley Flowers & Callahan Creek   

1998-99 Home Collections & Western Resources 

1999-00 Cardinal Building Supply & Wallace Photography  

2000-01 American Pre-Sort Inc 

2001-02 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.   

2002-03 The Topeka Capital-Journal 

2003-04 Gizmo Pictures & Jones Seel Huyett   

2004-05 M-C Industries, Maggie Kelley & Diane Bahm

2005-06 Scott & Truanna Nickel, Brickyard Barn Inn   

2006-07 AAA of Kansas, Jim Hanni 

2007-08 Brad Aboud, Aboud's at Western Hills   

2008-09 The WIBW Channels 

2009-10 Hall Commercial Printing   

2010-11 SAMCO Inc. 

2011-12 The WIBW Channels   

2013-14 Capitol Federal Savings Bank & Capitol Federal Foundation 

2014-15 Topeka Community Foundation   

2015-16 Barbara & David Butts, Westside Stamp & Award 

2016-17 WIBW   

2017-18 Capital City Bank 

2018-19 Network Technologies 

This award is given annually to honor Topeka Businesses which have  provided extraordinary support to the theatre, not only with dollars,  but also with in-kind services. Awarded since 1991.

(Created in 1991 to honor the retirement of Administrative Director Twink Lynch and Artistic Director Terrance McKerrs.)

Francis McKenna Award

1994-95 Diane Gestenslager 

1995-96 Judy Lydick   

1996-97 Cathy Kready 

1997-98 Cathy Kready   

1998-99 Alan Schultz* 

1999-00 Carolyn Woodruff   

2000-01 Carolyn Woodruff

2001-02 Nancy Schoenfelder   

2002-03 Carolyn Woodruff 

2003-04 R.V. Fortner   

2004-05 Shirley Gorman 

2005-06 Jan Howard   

2006-07 Jan Howard 

2007-08 Jan Howard   

2008-09 Robin Murphy 

2009-10 Carolyn Woodruff   

2010-11 Jeni Thomas 

2011-12 Brian Warthen   

2012-13 Billie & Paul McDonald 

2013-14 John Cummings   

2014-15 Mary Laura Barnett 

2015-16 Janet Radziejeski   

2016-17 Carolyn Woodruff 

2016-17 Jan Howard   

2017-18 Joyce Woolington 

2018-19 LouAnne Maddox 

2021-22 Cathy Kready Smith

This award may be given annually to honor a Box Office  volunteer who has provided extraordinary support to the TCT Box Office  throughout the year. Awarded since 1994.

(Created in 1994 to honor Frances McKenna. The only person to  serve as TCT's president for four terms and TCT's first Box Office  manager. Frances McKeena served as Box Office manager from 1974 - 1984  as served as General Archivist during her lifetime of devotion to TCT.)

Marge Selby

 1973-74 Marge Selby* 

1974-75 Naomi Lawson   

1975-76 Don Curry* 

1976-77 Carolyn Blair   

1977-78 P. K. Worley 

1978-79 Marge Murphy   

1979-80 None 

1980-81 Annette Klein   

1981-82 Tom Slover 

1982-83 Julia Henderson   

1983-84 Bob Mehlinger 

1984-85 Jim Monroe*  

1985-86 Marlyn Burch 

1986-87 Marcene Grimes   

1987-88 Anita Dreiling Exline 

1988-89 Art Glassman   

1989-90 Paula Gerlach 

1990-91 Becky Lester  

 1991-92 Paula Gerlach 

1992-93 None  

 1993-94 Don Colcun 

1994-95 Carolyn Woodruff   

1995-96 Roger Viola 

1996-97 Cindy Maude   

997-98 Beth Wittig  

 

1998-99 Terry Harbert   

1999-00 Mary Beth Saylor 

2000-01 Pam Alexander   

2001-02 Steve Waugh 

2002-03 Don Schepker   

2003-04 Twink Lynch 

2004-05 Bryon Schlosser   

2005-06 Neta Jeffus  

2006-07 Steve Beier & Ford Ross  

2007-08 Mary Orr 

2008-09 Karen Russell   

2009-10 Steve Briman 

2010-11 The TCTA Search & Transition Team, 2010-2011  

2011-12 Marge Schepker 

2012-13 Mike Wilson   

2013-14 Jim Ogle & Steve Briman 

2014-15 Jeri Hansen   

2015-16 Shawn Leisinger 

2016-17 John Olsen   

2018-19 Angel Romero 

2021-22 Kevin Han

Prior to 2006, this award was known as the Marge Selby Warehouse Workhorse Award. It may be given annually to a board member who has contributed significantly  to the work of the theatre in any aspect. Awarded since 1974.

(Given in honor of Marge Selby, who served as TCT Treasurer from  1969-1976. In addition to fulfilling her other board responsibilities,  Marge Selby also served as bookkeeper, accountant, and internal auditor  for TCT before there was a paid staff.)

Carmie Wolfe Volunteer of the year

 1975-76 Paul Beauchamp 

1976-77 Dorothy Radcliff Self   

1977-78 Deanne Hardenburger 

1978-79 Naomi Lawson   

1979-80 Jo Centlivre 

1980-81 Harold & Lois Lynn   

1981-82 Carol Benoit 

1982-83 Debra Heacock   

1983-84 Kathi Killman 

1984-85 Jennifer Buttell & John Duff   

1985-86 Ernie Hendricks* 

1986-87 Denise Butterfield   

1987-88 Verne Stephens* 

1988-89 John Heller*  

 1989-90 Jo Centlivre 

1990-91 Allison Hartley   

1991-92 Melinda Cooper & Verne Morlan* 1992-93 Charles Andrews   

1993-94 Twink Lynch 

1994-95 Doug Exline & Frank Schultz   

1995-96 Deb Bruner 

1996-97 Kathi Killman  

 

 

1997-98 Adam Jenks 

1998-99 Kate Stires   

1999-00 Melinda Cooper 

2000-01 Candice Massie   

2001-02 Cliff Alfrey 

2002-03 Phyllis West   

2003-04 Martin "Cody" Peterson 

2004-05 Virginia Starr   

2005-06 The Remp Family – Raymond, Jo Ann, Kimberly & Melanie 

2006-07 Gary Bodenheimer   

2007-08 Melissa Quirarte 

2008-09 Sara Myer   

2009-10 Frank Schultz 

2010-11 Jeff Montague  

 2011-12 Thomas J. Hughes, Jr. 

2012-13 Roger McCauley  

 2013-14 Shannon Oldham 

2014-15 Tanya Dorf Brunner   

2015-16 Denise Butterfield 

2016-17 Dakota Mumford   

2018-19 Dusty Nichols 

2020-21 Kevin Han

2021-22 Kirby Whitt   

 

This award is given annually to honor the volunteer(s) who has made  the biggest impact during that season. It was initially designated for  backstage volunteers only, but has been broadened to include volunteers  in any aspect of the theatre. Awarded since 1975.

(Carmie Wolfe, Topeka High School teacher and philanthropist, made  it possible for Topeka Civic Theatre to hire a resident director and to  make the down payment on TCT's first permanent home, the Warehouse  Theatre on the Levee in North Topeka, with her bequest of Vanity Fair  stock in 1972.)

Renna Hunter Awards

Renna Hunter, for whom the Renna Hunter award was named, led the merger between the Red Barn Players and the Washburn Players, which resulted in the birth of TCT in 1936. Renna served as an actor, director, board member and all-around promoter for TCT. Renna succumbed to cancer in 1961; shortly after, the acting award was named in her honor.

Download PDF

Hall of Fame

1986

1986

Designated for outstanding volunteers who exhibit great enthusiasm and professionalism in years of volunteer work to TCT.

(Rule of Thumb: 20 shows or 20 years)

*indicate deceased

1986

1986

1986

 Art Claussen*
Dale Easton*
Peggy Greene*
Frances McKenna*
Louis Sweet*
P.K. Worley* 

1987

1986

1987

 Steve Cathey* (posthumous)
Kathleen Farrell*
Twink Lynch*
Marge Selby* 

1988

1988

1987

 Evan Gamsu
Mabel Remmers* 

1989

1988

1989

 Jerry Katz*
Terrance McKerrs
Irv Rosen* 

1990

1988

1989

Ruth Dunford Colvin*
Maurice Hunt*
Charles Marshall*
June Murphy 

1991

1991

1991

 Annette Klein
Marge Murphy
Charley Oldfather*
Jim Sloan*

1992

1991

1991

  Jo Centlivre*
Patti Van Slyke
Irv Sheffel*
Beth Sheffel* 

1993

1991

1993

 Naomi Lawson*
Marlyn Burch*
Nola Viola 

1994

1994

1993

  Robb Baker
Verne Morlan*
Maxine Ohse*
Marc Penney* 

1995

1994

1995

 Cliff Alfrey
Jim Claussen*
Art Glassman
Fran Royer* 

1996

1994

1995

 Jim Monroe*
Phyllis Schaper
Bonnie Parton*
Kathi Killman 

1997

1997

1997

Sally Ballou*
Denise Butterfield
Doug Goheen
George Walker* 

1998

1997

1997

 Melinda Cooper
William Gibson*
Keith Henley
Marc Rapp  

1999

1997

1999

 Carole Etzel+*
Tim Etzel+*
Anita Exline
Doug Exline
Jeff Montague
Phyllis Penney
John Stauffer+
Ruth Stauffer+*
+Campaign Reg 

2000

2000

1999

 Bill Gloy
Jaryl Perkins
Teri Walton 

2001

2000

2001

 Lorraine Ideus
Megan Lindquist
Governor Bill Graves 

2002

2000

2001

 Nancy Goodall
Kate Stires 

2003

2003

2003

 Richard Parton
Bruce Smith
Governor Kathleen Sebelius  

2004

2003

2003

 Donna Lambrecht
Carolyn Woodruff  

2005

2003

2005

 Diane K. Heusted
Lee Lassiter 

2006

2006

2005

 Linda Boyd
Rosemary Cutrer 

2007

2006

2007

 Allan Hazlett
Mary Orr  

2008

2006

2007

 David Pomeroy
Dan Wallace*
Sharlyn Wallace* 

2009

2009

2009

 Frank Schultz
Harold "Butch" Wilkerson 

2010

2009

2009

 Phil Grecian
Jim Ramos   

2011

2009

2011

   Clara Norris
Marvin Stottlemire

2012

2012

2011

 Walt Boyd
Brenda Zimmerman 

2013

2012

2013

 Patsy Patterson
Sue Wine 

2014

2012

2013

 Carolyn Edwards
Ted Shonka 

2015

2015

2015

  Adam Jenks
Maggie Kelley
Liz Stratton*

2016

2015

2015

 Kevin Hoover*
Widge Yager  

2017

2015

2017

 Tanya Dorf Brunner
Karen Hastings
Shannon J. Reilly 

2018

2018

2017

 Nancy Epoch*
Candice Massie 

2019

2018

2019

 Chelle Decker
Alexandra Reilly  

2022

2018

2019

Ainka Kweli

Angie Price

Copyright © 2022 TCT/HHT - All Rights Reserved.

  • TCT Mainstage Shows
  • TCT Studio Shows
  • TCT Academy/TYA Shows
  • Helen Hocker Stage
  • Privacy Statement

Powered by GoDaddy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept