Wayside Theatre
Discover the Treasure

info@waysidetheatre.org

For tickets call the theatre box office at:
(540) 869-1776
Monday - Friday 10 AM - 5PM
7853 Main St. - PO Box 260 * Middletown, VA 22645

Appropriately this new honor was named after the theatre’s founder, Mr. Leo M. Bernstein. Even more appropriately, Mr. Bernstein received the first award at the Gala Opening of the 40th Anniversary Season during a pre-show ceremony held at the Wayside Inn.

2008 LEO AWARDS

Wayside Theatre 2008 LEO Awards recipients Barbara Swink, Warner Crocker (Artistic Director), Claire White (Posthumously for Herbert White), and John Norton. Photography by Westervelt.

LEO AWARDS 2008
Presented July 13, 2008

Herbert White
Herbert White was Wayside Theatre's first Producer in 1962. Owen Philips directed the company for producer, Herbert W. White. In 1968, under the design direction of Herbert White, the Curtain Call was extensively renovated to in envision an English Tavern flavor and comfort for the patrons. Mr. White served on the Board of Directors after the Wayside Foundation for the Arts was formed in 1966. He was active in the Arts community in D.C. and Middletown, VA, and exercised his influence to bring notable artists and patrons here, to share his discovery of the Arts in the Shenandoah Valley.

Barbara Swink
Barbara Swink has been a major supporter of the Arts in the Winchester and Frederick County community for decades.
Barbara Swink was hired as an Associate Director for Wayside Theatre in 1971, by Jerry Slavet. She managed the media coverage and reviewers, press releases, scheduled talks to civic groups, and scheduled coffees across the region to sell subscriptions. The theatre had received a grant 1976 for an in school program, Barbara Swink ran the two-year "Story-theatre" School program. She wrote for the 1976 Bi-Centennial preparations, a study guide for teachers to bring understanding of theatre techniques to use in classroom application in theatre games. This was utilized as part of the tour. Barbara became in 1978 Managing Director under James Kirkland. After eight years of working at Wayside Theatre, Barbara Swink retired in 1979. Barbara has one son, Stuart and daughter, Christie and lives in Winchester.

John Norton
A 1970 graduate of West Point, John Norton served for 23 years in the U.S. Army. He served at many posts world wide--including duty in Vietnam as an Airborne Ranger - Pathfinder. He retired from the US Army in 1992 as a Lt. Colonel. He is Vice President of Marketing at First Bank where he has worked for 10 years.
Mr. Norton served on the Wayside Foundation for the Arts Board from 2000 -2006. He served as the President of the Board for four years: 2003 - 2006. During his tenure on the board he conducted retreats; The Capital Campaign was begun under his time of service. He helped promoted and supported the Capital Campaign and was instrumental in acquiring many donations to the theater. John Norton was part of the team that developed the new Mission and Vision Statements. John has also been an avid supporter for the Young Playwrights Festival. John and his wife Cindy have 6 children and 4 grandchildren and reside in Berryville, Va.

2006 LEO AWARDS
Presented Sunday, June 4, 2006

Barbara Scarlett. Ms. Scarlett is the current chairperson of P.R.O.P.S., Wayside Theatre's volunteer guild, and has been instrumental in supporting the theatre through her efforts with that distinguished group of theatre lovers. Each year P.R.O.P.S sponsors events and fundraisers to assist Wayside Theatre and enhance the Curtain Call such as: with new lighting, wiring, air conditioning, coolers, new vaucuum cleaners, new linens in the visiting actor houses, repairs, lap blankets, even to purchase a piano, the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and the July picnic and provides the many volunteer ushers who escort our patrons to their seats for each performance. Barbara is the mother of 3 and the grandmother of two. She is also a Red Cross volunteer and an avid golf player. Barbara recently received the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitor's Bureau 2006 Outstanding Industry Volunteer Award at their Annual Industry Luncheon in May.

Joy Costello. Ms. Costello has been a key supporter of Wayside Theatre throughout its history, including fixing a meal or two for Wayside's new General Manager, Mr. Jeff Stern, when he worked at the theatre years ago. After graduating JMU she began a career in teaching which she followed until the birth of the fourth of her five children, at which time she became a full-time domestic engineer. She has nine grandchildren. She has also served as a volunteer with Belle Grove, the Board of United Methodist's Children's services in Virginia, and she is an ardent supporter of children being involved in the performing arts. Ms.Costello is also one Wayside Theatre's key supporters who has stepped forward in our Comprehensive Campaign to support the theatre's expansion effort.

David Blount. Mr. Blount has been instrumental in helping Wayside Theatre meet its early goals for its Comprehensive Campaign. He was one of the first contributors to the effort seeking to expand the theatre, and in the last year put forth an anonymous, at the time, one-to-one challenge of $75,000 that spurred others to support the effort.

Mr. Blount is the Vice-President of American Woodmark Corporation, an organization that began as a cabinet making company, where he has worked for 28 years in many leadership capacities, including overseeing the company's expansion to 16 plants in the US.
He and his wife, Suzanne and their three daughters serve on the board of the Windcrest Foundation. In addition to his deep commitment to education and the arts, Mr. Blount also devotes time to health issues having served on the board of Northwester Community Mental Health and currently on the Hospital Board for Warren County.

Betsy Blauvelt. Until this year, Ms. Blauvelt, served for six years as Wayside Theatre's General Manager. Before joining Wayside Theatre, Ms. Blauvelt had been a teacher in Clarke, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties. She has served on the Warren County School Board, and as the President of the Virginia State School Board Association. She has also taught piano and music served as a church choir director for 35 years. She co-founded the Blue Ridge Arts Council and she and her family joined the Wayside Theatre family in 2000. As Wayside Theatre's General Manager, Ms. Blauvelt gave new meaning to the term "barter economy" as she tirelessly worked to further the theatres' goals and mission. Her many contributions have helped build a new direction for Wayside Theatre's future.

2005 LEO AWARDS
Presented Sunday June 5, 2005

Individuals

Gerald Slavet, former Artistic Director of Wayside Theatre 1967-1975, developing and promoting the talent of youth in the Arts. There are two tenets of the arts that he lived by while at Wayside Theatre and made him the person he is today: "Quality arts produced will always draw an artist and an audience" and "community building - of primary importance in the growth of theatre." Currently Gerald Slavet has a radio show FROM THE TOP on area stations WVPT, WGMS and WVA Public Radio. Gerald could not be here tonight due to prior commitments. His award will be presented to him at a later date.

Harold "Hal" Herman & Lynde Hayen Herman, Hal & Lynde as actors came to Wayside Theatre in 1964-1975 under Owen Phillips and Gerald Slavet years…honing their skills and bringing acclaim not only to them but also to Wayside Theatre. In 1975 Hal and Lynde took their skills to Shenandoah University, where Hal founded the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT) where Hal is the first and remains the Artistic Director. A wealth of theatre knowledge and ability they gave to Wayside Theatre and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. And we are so glad they "started" their Valley experience at Wayside Theatre.

Corporate Award

RT 11 Potato Chips & Sarah Cohen has created a wonderful business relationship with Wayside Theatre and support. Sarah Cohen has been very active at Wayside Theatre. She has served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Wayside Foundation for the Arts, three years as Secretary, offering business insightfulness and support for the Wayside Theatre, as well as, being a show sponsor yearly. This year RT 11 Potato Chips sponsored the production of "The Complete History of America, Abridged."

2004 LEO AWARDS
Presented Sunday June 4, 2004

Individuals
Rolf Mielzarek, former board member who has served several board terms, a gracious benefactor of the theatre and to the hearing impaired signer program at Wayside, lover of the theatre, and very interesting person! Rolf could not be here tonight due to the wedding of his daughter. His award will be presented to him at a later date.

Mr. Harry Smith, Harry has been a long time fan of Wayside theatre, serving on the board for many years, as President and adjunct advisor. His company, First Bank, as been a show sponsor. Harry has even done manual labor on more than one occasion . . . Harry and the late Jim Stutzman Sr., grew to be great friends while working to renovate the lobby and restrooms in the front of the building - Harry even left his mark in the form of a nail that just wouldn’t quit!

Leo Award for 2004 is the Corporate Award

Winchester Printers, Inc. has created a wonderful relationship that the business and the Hottle family began so many years ago with Wayside Theatre. Accepting the Awards for the family owned business - Ron Hottle, Gary Hottle, and for their parents, Irving and Frances Hottle - Winchester Printers Inc. has been a fixture in the business community of Winchester/Frederick County area for a long, long time. As with so many other local businesses, Winchester Printers through the years has worked with Wayside Theatre on a number of projects. Since 2000, Winchester Printers, Inc. has not only printed the thousands of programs (over 35,000 per year), but has been a show sponsor as well. This year Winchester Printers, Inc. will be the official show sponsor of Wayside Theatre’s inaugural production of Robert E. Lee and John Brown; Lighting the Fuse.

2003 LEO AWARD WINNERS

Presented on June 1, 2003 Opening Night - THE ODD COUPLE

Mrs. Pam DeBergh: Member of the Board of Directors 1995-2001. President of the Board 1998-1999. Mrs. DeBergh has been a faithful and generous supporter and friend of Wayside Theatre, prior to, during and since her tenure on the board. She has opened her home to house visiting actors, she arranged for the theatre to use her husband's office phones for the annual "phonathons." And of course, no "haunted House" is complete without at least one DeBergh either in the cast or helping in some capacity. Wayside Theatre is fortunate to have the DeBergh family as friends - both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Mr. Nicholas "Nick" Nerangis: Member of the Board 1980-1982 & 1990-1993. President of The Board. Our own local "Renaissance Man," writer, show sponsor, director, and ACTOR! A truly multitalented "Man of all Trades." And a dear addition to the Wayside family who brings and shares, his personal talents but his wisdom, humor, and ability at bringing people together. His family too like Mrs. DeBergh's, has shared him with us all these years. Mr. Nerangis continues to share his talents in the Education in Action program - his one-man show tours regularly to schools and community centers. Wayside audiences will remember him fondly in the CHRISTMAS CAROL productions.

Power Warner Communications Mrs. Faith Powers
Power Warner Communications under the leadership of Faith Powers has been instrumental in helping Wayside Theatre expand its audiences for a number of years by providing marketing and public relations assistance. Perhaps the most visible example of this support is the annual subscription brochure that is designed by the Power Warner Staff. Power Warner Communications was the first Season Sponsor in the history of Wayside Theatre providing invaluable assistance in the theatre's 40th Anniversary season and redesigning the theatre's logo. Wayside Theatre considers itself lucky to have Faith and Power Warner as an important business ally in its ongoing efforts to expand its reach.

2002 LEO AWARD WINNERS

Mr. Jim Stutzman Sr. As President, during his tenure, the Murder Mystery Tours were initiated, the office of General Manager was firmly established, as well as a Box-office Manager/Sales position developed and in place for the 1991 season., adopted the first Annual Giving Campaign, renovation of the current Ladies Room off the lobby was greatly received by all patrons - it was mentioned by several ladies that it must certainly have been a man that did the planning for the doors as they were extremely tall! And a most generous and welcome gift came in the form of four wheels with a chassis - through his business, Mr. Stutzman has been most kind in seeing that the theatre has had vehicles to transport the visiting actors who during their stay, live out of walking distance from the theatre. From counsel, to expert business advice, to manual labor, Jim Stutzman Sr is truly a "Patron" of the arts, and a lasting friend to Wayside Theatre.

Mrs. Evelyn "Eve" Newman What a "classy" lady is she. . . a hard worker, a generous and kind individual, and a really great organizer! From the seeds of the "Beau Geste" volunteer group of the early years, Eve organized and supervised PROPs - Providing Regular On-going Production Support - a group that lives and thrives today as a mainstay the Wayside Theatre family. Eve served on the Board of Directors, as did her late husband Gene and their daughter Lee (will be in the audience). Another great service that Eve has provided for the theatre is the use of "The Chicken Coop" - and that's what it is literally - but it stores a lot of theatre "Stuff ", and we are most grateful for that space. Her home "Monte Vista" has served as wonderful retreat for actors, the board and guests to enjoy after a long day of rehearsing, or for a lovely party - just for fun. Thank you Eve for all that you have been and continue to be for Wayside Theatre .

Mr. John Hull Morrison, III How to begin to tell the story about this gentleman and his gifts, graces and talents to and for Wayside Theatre! Over the last 25 years, John Morrison has been a fixture at the theatre - not only as a member of the board, as President, as chair of the nominating committee, as development chair - and the list goes on, but also as a truly "silent" partner to the theatre. A man of quiet but persistent determination, he has seen the theatre through thick and thin and continues his generous and kind spirit. He has even been so thoughtful as to provide actors for the theatre - in the form of Laurie his wife and Rebecca his daughter ( they are in the audience) ! What more can any organization ask than that you give your family to them! His acts of generosity are numerous from paper to philosophy to perspective to printing - John has contributed all and has been and continues to wear the mantle of a dear Wayside Theatre "Fellow"

Stutzman Chevrolet/Cadillac/Buick Corporations and their leaders are a mainstay for any non-profit organization. And what a marvelous and generous corporation Stutzman Chevrolet/Cadillac/Buick has been to the theatre in the last 20 years. As one may think cars have played a major factor in this picture - from the donation of vehicles to the repair, to the towing when one of them gives up the ghost - Stutzman vehicles have been used and parked at the theatre for many years. . . what a wonderful support! But that isn't all - when rehearsal space was not existent, Stutzman Chevrolet stepped to the forefront and offered a grand space in the building. Stutzman has also been a continuing show sponsor for many years, giving their employees and clients the opportunity to enjoy the theatre. It is a pleasure to present this award for the walls of Stutzman Chevrolet/Cadillac/Buick - an award winning corporation!

Mrs. Marjorie S. Lewis  In order to properly introduce this lovely lady, we would not have time for the performance tonight! A Lady for all Seasons - Marjorie Lewis has extended her talents and time to numerous organizations in this area, Wayside Theatre among them, and for this one we honor her tonight. She has been it all at Wayside Theatre, from actress, directing, building sets, organizing the Beau Geste volunteer group, working on marketing and development for the theatre, teaching a children's theatre workshop, and as a member - for 10 years, and President of the Board of Directors. Whew - what a background, and what's more she continues her theatre work with The Winchester Little Theatre today. Marjorie began with Wayside in the early years, and worked with most of the Artistic Directors through the middle '90's. She and her family have been and continue to be friends of Wayside Theatre, and through the family business, WINC, their sponsorship of the season and the media support are a vital thread in the fabric of Wayside Theatre

Jim Stutzman, Jr.  Like Father like SON! Another Stutzman continues the tradition begun by his father in his dedication and generosity to Wayside Theatre. Though his tenure on the board was cut short by an extended illness, Jim has continued to support the theatre in every way asked as well as ways given out of a good heart. The theatre continues to enjoy his company at events and at performances, as well as his advice and concerns about projects underway or in the future. In the future, the theatre hopes that Jim will once again serve on the board of directors and perhaps assume the leadership role that he is more than capable of handling. Our thanks and continued appreciation for all that he is and has been to Wayside Theatre.

2001

Wayside Theatre founder Mr. Leo Bernstein (pictured reading the program) and guests attend the opening night gala for the 40th Anniversary Season where he was honored as the first recipient of the Leo M. Bernstein Award for Community Service, named in his honor.

Board President Elizabeth Bagley greets Leo M. Bernstein Award recipient Frank Spurr and his wife Helen at the gala opening of the 2001 Season.

PROPS Guild Member Diane Collis and Leo M. Bernstein Award winner Dr. Byron Brill and his wife at the 40th Anniversary Season Opening Gala.

Rebecca Cintron. Often in our community and at Wayside Theatre we think of volunteers as older adults. This young lady personifies the “spirit of giving back.” She has volunteered at Wayside Theatre for the past two seasons as a concessionaire, backstage and even as a performer. Her efforts and support can only be matched by the smile and charm that she brings to each task.

Perry Judd’s. This local business has provided outstanding service to Wayside Theatre for over seven years, donating its printing services for Wayside Theatre’s color brochure announcing each season. This generous donation and continued support has enabled Wayside Theatre to reach its audiences in ways that would not be possible without the support of Perry Judd’s. Mrs. Donna Eagle accepted the award for Perry Judd’s. Two awards were presented posthumously.

Mr. T. Carter Fussell. Carter served Wayside Theatre, as he did so many valley organizations, with distinction and finesse. As Board Treasurer his tireless efforts helped Wayside Theatre work harder and smarter to begin to achieve financial stability. His significant financial contributions and his wisdom were only exceeded by his vision for the future by identifying rising young theatrical artists and technicians and bringing them to the attention of persons or groups that could benefit from them. Carter was truly a guiding light for so many and Wayside Theatre is honored to have shared his gifts for the brief time of his service. Mr. Fussell’s mother Kitsy Fussell accepted the award on his behalf.

Eugene P. Newman. Gene served Wayside Theatre in many capacities for many years encompassing the tenure of three different artistic directors. His long time service helped the theatre in many ways that are immeasurable and his gentle grace and kind approach to all he served blessed the Theatre and all who knew him. Accepting the award for Mr. Eugene P. Newman was his wife Mrs. Eve Newman, herself a great and long time supporter of Wayside Theatre in partnership with her late husband.

We congratulate and again thank all of the honorees for their service in supporting Wayside Theatre.

Wayside Theatre founder Mr. Leo Bernstein (pictured reading the program) and guests attend the opening night gala for the 40th Anniversary Season where he was honored as the first recipient of the Leo M. Bernstein Award for Community Service, named in his honor.