Volunteer Awards

Volunteers are the Heart of the Theatre

For the 2022-23 season, over 550 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 $2.3 million! But to us they are priceless. These appreciation awards are a small measure of the gratitude we have for each of them.

Volunteer Appreciation Awards

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.

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role | 2022-23

MUSICAL

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Leading Role
Lesley Ayala
West Side Story

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Leading Role
Daniel Kooser
Something Rotten!

PLAY

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Leading Role
Anna Sage
The Crucible

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Leading Role
Jeff Boyer
The Play That Goes Wrong

Outstanding Performance In A Supporting Role | 2022-23

MUSICAL

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role
Amelia Flores
West Side Story

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role
Adam Groves
Something Rotten!

PLAY

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role
Kristin Ross
The Play That Goes Wrong

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role
Dylan Hart
The Play That Goes Wrong

Helen Hocker Outstanding Performances | 2022 -23

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a HHT Production (Musical or Play)
Laura Cluke
Fences

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a HHT Production (Musical or Play)
Danny Lassley
The Story of My Life

OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES | 2022-23

Outstanding Performance in a Minor Role (Musical or Play/Male or Female)
Joanna Lassley
Something Rotten!

Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer (Musical or Play/Male or Female)
Nick Beasley
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Studio Production (Musical or Play)
Skye Reid
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Studio Production (Musical or Play)
Dylan Hart
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a TYA Production (Musical or Play)
Melissa Quirarte
Elephant & Piggie’s: “We are in a Play!”

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a TYA Production (Musical or Play)
Andy Huff
Elephant & Piggie’s: “We are in a Play!”

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Musical or Play/Male or Female)
Jaxon Schroeder
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS | 2022-23

The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Adult Helen Hocker Production
The Story of My Life

The People’s Choice Award for Favorite TYA Production
Elephant & Piggie’s: “We are in a Play!”

The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Studio Production
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Mainstage Production
The Play That Goes Wrong

OUSTANDING VOLUNTEER RECOGNITIONS

Theatre in the Park

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.

 

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
2022-23 Mark Pudwill
Volunteer Salute Awards
2022-23
Brad Broadbent
Shelton Byrnes
Melinda Cooper
Constance Erwin
Megan Green
The High Family
Bryan Irvine
Genevieve Martinez
Kirby Whitt
Joanne Young
 

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

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

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

1991-92
Charles Andrews
Alisha Benaka
Deb Bruner
Dee Butterfield
Rob Davis
Clara Norris
Bobbette Garretson
George Walker* 

1992-93
Melinda Cooper
Owren Hosier
Adam Jenks
Cindy Maude
Nancy Morse
Frank Schultz
Carolyn Terhune*
Carey Van Sickle 

1993-94
Carole Etzel
Anita Exline
Doug Exline
Clara Norris
John Heller*
Frank Schultz
George Walker* 

1994-95
Gary Bodenheimer
Melinda Cooper
Anita Exline
Terry Harbert
John Heller*
Judy Lydick
George Walker* 

1995-1996
Tanya Dorf
Anita Exline
Doug Exline
Brendan Gilchrist*
Arlene Heere
Ron Kean
Cathy Kready
Nancy Paslay
Anita Pekarek
Alan Schultz* 

1996-97
Doug Exline
Doug Hamilton
John Heller*
Lorraine Ideus
Sandy Jenks
Ron Kean
Judy Lydick
Candice Massie
Alan Schultz*
Sharon Williams 

1997-98
Doug Exline
John Heller*
Lorraine Ideus
Sandy Jenks
Ron Kean
Judy Lydick
Angela Peckham
Alan Schultz*
George Walker* 

1998-1999
Doug Exline
Shirley Gorman
John Heller*
Bill Hamm
Lorraine Ideus
Kate Stires 

1999-2000
Elisabeth Ahrens
Jo Centlevre
Doris Hurd
Cathy Kready
Joyce Ragsdale
Kathy Smith
Nancy Trickett
Carolyn Woodruff 

2000-2001
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
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
Melinda Cooper
Don & Lynda Denton
Tanya Dorf
Michelle Haas
Jennifer Honeycutt
Naomi Lawson
Bob Lewis
Helen Newman
Ed Moody
Andrew Reynolds 

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

2012-2013
Logan Best
Dee Butterfield
Bailey Carter
John Cummings
Dan Lindquist
Marc Rapp
Raymond Remp
Alyssa Ward 

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

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
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

2018-2019
Walt Boyd
Tatum Church
Davean Crawford
Gayle Stine
Jordan Elliot
Roberta Johnson
Emily Mead
Sara & Tillie McIlvain
Marvin Stottlemire 

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-22
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

COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS

CARMIE WOLFE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
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.)

 

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
2022-23 Twyla Broadbent
WALDO B. HEYWOOD AWARD

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.)

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
TNT AWARD
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.)

 

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
2022-23 A2B Plumbing, LLC
FRANCIS MCKENNA AWARD

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.)

 

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
2022-23 Carolyn Edwards, Jan Howard, Carolyn Woodruff
MARGE SELBY AWARD

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.)

 

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
1997-98 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
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
2017-18 Brenda Musil Unruh
2018-19 Angel Romero
2021-22 Kevin Han
2022-23 Dusty Nichols

Hall of Fame

1986
Art Claussen*
Dale Easton*
Peggy Greene*
Frances McKenna*
Louis Sweet*
P.K. Worley* 

1987

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

1988
Evan Gamsu

Mabel Remmers* 

1989
Jerry Katz*

Terrance McKerrs
Irv Rosen* 

1990
Ruth Dunford Colvin*

Maurice Hunt*
Charles Marshall*
June Murphy 

1991
Annette Klein

Marge Murphy
Charley Oldfather*
Jim Sloan*

1992
Jo Centlivre*

Patti Van Slyke
Irv Sheffel*
Beth Sheffel* 

1993
Naomi Lawson*

Marlyn Burch*
Nola Viola 

1994
Robb Baker

Verne Morlan*
Maxine Ohse*
Marc Penney* 

1995
Cliff Alfrey
Jim Claussen*
Art Glassman
Fran Royer* 

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)

1996
Jim Monroe*
Phyllis Schaper
Bonnie Parton*
Kathi Killman 

1997
Sally Ballou*
Denise Butterfield
Doug Goheen
George Walker* 

1998
Melinda Cooper
William Gibson*
Keith Henley
Marc Rapp*  

1999
Carole Etzel+*
Tim Etzel+*
Anita Exline
Doug Exline
Jeff Montague
Phyllis Penney
John Stauffer+
Ruth Stauffer+*
+Campaign Reg 

2000
Bill Gloy
Jaryl Perkins
Teri Walton 

2001
Lorraine Ideus
Megan Lindquist
Governor Bill Graves 

2002
Nancy Goodall
Kate Stires 

2003
Richard Parton
Bruce Smith
Governor Kathleen Sebelius  

2004
Donna Lambrecht
Carolyn Woodruff  

2005
Diane K. Heusted
Lee Lassiter 

2006
Linda Boyd
Rosemary Cutrer 

2007
Allan Hazlett
Mary Orr  

2008
David Pomeroy
Dan Wallace*
Sharlyn Wallace* 

2009
Frank Schultz
Harold “Butch” Wilkerson* 

2010
Phil Grecian
Jim Ramos   

2011
Clara Norris
Marvin Stottlemire

2012
Walt Boyd*
Brenda Zimmerman 

2013
Patsy Patterson
Sue Wine 

2014
Carolyn Edwards
Ted Shonka 

2015
Adam Jenks
Maggie Kelley*
Liz Stratton*

2016
Kevin Hoover*
Widge Yager  

2017
Tanya Dorf Brunner
Karen Hastings
Shannon J. Reilly 

2018
Nancy Epoch*
Candice Massie 

2019
Chelle Decker
Alexandra Reilly  

2022
Ainka Kweli
Angie Price

2023
Joanna Lassley
David Scroggins
Shirley “Boom-Boom” Gorman

*indicates deceased

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A VOLUNTEER.