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.
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
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