Volunteer Appreciation Awards
The 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Night was held on August 22, 2026.
Please join us in congratulating these honorees.
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 | 2025-26
MUSICAL
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Leading Role
Maggie Kate Davis
The Prom
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Leading Role
Tom McElroy
The Prom
PLAY
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Leading Role
Diane Wurzer
Over the River and Through the Woods
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Leading Role
Dané Shobe
Hold On!
Outstanding Performance In A Supporting Role | 2025-26
MUSICAL
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role
Hannah Meyer
Shrek
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role
Jack Malin
Shrek
PLAY
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role
Treykia Hood
Hold On!
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role
Dusty Nichols
Hold On!
Helen Hocker & Studio Outstanding Performances | 2025-26
MUSICAL
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a HHT or TCT Studio Production
Kristin Hanks
Come From Away
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a HHT or TCT Studio Production
Robbie Fowler
Cabaret
PLAY
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a HHT Production
Cortni Hurst
The Cake
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a HHT Production
Joe Warden
The Cake
OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES | 2025-26
Outstanding Performance in a Minor Role (Musical or Play/Male or Female)
Raya Potter
Shrek
Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer (Musical or Play/Male or Female)
Cameron Charity
Shrek
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a TYA Production (Musical or Play)
Andrea Billings-Graham
Baby Shark
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a TYA Production (Musical or Play)
Shelton Byrnes
Curious George
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Musical or Play/Male or Female)
Mallory Kobuszewski
The Prom
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS | 2025-26
The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Adult Helen Hocker Play
The Cake
The People’s Choice Award for Favorite TYA Production
Curious George
The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Helen Hocker or TCT Studio Musical
Come From Away
The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Mainstage Production
The Prom
OUSTANDING VOLUNTEER RECOGNITIONS
Volunteer Recognition Awards
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
Twyla Broadbent
2022-23
Brad Broadbent
Shelton Byrnes
The High Family
Bryan Irvine
Genevieve Martinez
Brad Broadbent
Eunice Schroeder
Rick Schroeder
2024-25
Andy Huff
Joe Warden
Lauren McCauley-Jones
Rob Banks
Tennessee Swedlund
Melanie Ralston
Robin Prill
Maxton Prill
Twyla Broadbent (Millennium Club)
2025-26
Scott Brunner & Tanya Dorf Brunner
Shelton Byrnes
Hazel Erwin
Cambria Hall
Staci Hall
Marjorie Loyd
Matt Nusbaum
Wen Nussbaum
Marsue Payne
Theatre in the Park Award
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.
2024-25 Jaidyn Fountaine & Annie Lightcap
COMMUNITY RECOGNITIONS
CARMIE WOLFE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
(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.)
Past Award Recipients
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.)
2023-24 Shawnee County Parks + Rec
TNT AWARD
(Created in 1991 to honor the retirement of Administrative Director Twink Lynch and Artistic Director Terrance McKerrs.)
2022-23 A2B Plumbing, LLC
2023-2024 Dave Uhler, Berkley Square Media
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.)
2022-23 Carolyn Edwards, Jan Howard, Carolyn Woodruff
2023-24 Susan Rank
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.)
2022-23 Dusty Nichols
2023-24 Bill Cochran
2025-26 Cory Schoffelman
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
2024
Thomas J. Hughes Jr.
Diane Wurzer
2025
Marilyn Foree
Shawn Nyberg*
2026
Cathy Kready Smith
Jim Tuchscherer
*indicates deceased
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