LUCY JORDAN AWARD
About the Lucy Jordan Award
The award honors those who make the theatrical experience special. It can be anyone whose interaction, time and focus allows members the freedom to do their best as artists.
2018 – John Moore
John Moore, a leader in the Denver arts community, has been named the recipient of the Lucy Jordan Award from Actors’ Equity Association. Moore was presented the award at the Denver-area Equity membership meeting in late August.
2017 – Michelle Polgar
Michelle Polgar, a leader in the Austin arts community, has been named the recipient of the Lucy Jordan Award. Polgar was presented the award at the Austin/San Antonio area membership meeting in February.
2016 – Jay C. Sarno
Jay C. Sarno, a leader in the San Diego arts community who helped shepherd North Coast Repertory Theatre from a small community playhouse to a leading Equity Theatre, received the Lucy Jordan Award at the San Diego Area Membership Meeting in May.
2014 – Mary Lou Westerfield
Mary Lou Westerfield always wanted to be in the theater, but she never planned to dedicate her life to the industry. For the former Equity Western Regional Director/Assistant Executive Director, it just kind of happened. Of course, for her, with not one regret.
2013 – Richard Connema
Go to an opening night – any opening night – in the nine Bay Area counties and you will more than likely find 88-year-old Richard Connema and his partner of 50 years, Eddy Chambers, in the audience. That’s why, on April 28, 2014, the 2013 Lucy Jordan Award was awarded to Connema.
2012 – Glenn Bruner
Stage Manager Glenn Bruner is the recipient of Equity's 2012 Lucy Jordan Recognition Award, which honors an individual in the theatrical community. The award was presented by Equity's Western Regional Board and Stage Managers Committee on May 6 during a special member reception at Tucson's historic Temple of Music and Art.
2011 – Connie McMillan
Actors' Equity Association (Equity) announced today that Austin resident Connie McMillan is the 2011 Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award recipient. The award, which honors an individual in the theatrical community, was presented at Equity’s Austin/San Antonio Annual Membership meeting on Saturday, February 11, 2012.
2010 – Lynne Soffer
Actors' Equity Association announced that Lynne Soffer is the winner of the 2010 Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award. The presentation of the award, which honors an individual in the theatrical community, was made at the April 26, 2011 Equity Membership Meeting in San Francisco.
2009 – Diane Ronneberg
This year's recipient of the Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award is Diane Ronneberg, wardrobe mistress and dresser.
2008 – Christopher Comte
The 2008 Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award recipient is Seattle-based actor Christopher Comte. The award will be presented in Seattle at the next membership meeting in 2009.
2007 – Rick Starr
The Western Regional Stage Managers Committee, on behalf of Actors' Equity Association's Western Regional Board, is delighted to announce this year's Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award recipient, Rick Starr. The award was presented at the beginning of the Equity General Membership held on Friday, October 7, 2007 at the Los Angeles Equity office.
2006 – Don Toner
Don Toner, Managing Artistic Director/ Producer of the Austin Playhouse, received this year's Lucy Jordan Award at the fall Equity membership meeting in Los Angeles on October 6, 2006. The award is given annually by the Western Regional Stage Managers Committee to recognize an individual in the Western Region who has best exemplified the spirit of Lucy Jordan, recognizing "an extraordinary and exemplary commitment" to the theatre community and the membership of Actors' Equity.
2005 – Dirk van Allen
Dirk van Allen, an accomplished actor and tireless theatre advocate, has been named the recipient of Actors’ Equity’s prestigious 2005 Lucy Jordan Award. Mr. van Allen received the award at the Equity membership meeting in Los Angeles on October 7, 2005.
2004 – Gordon Davidson
The Western Stage Managers Committee presented this year's Lucy Jordan Recognition Award to Gordon Davidson, Artistic Director and Producer of Center Theatre Group, which includes the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum and the new Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles.
2003 – Joseph Ruskin
Actors' Equity Association is pleased to announce the presentation of the Lucy Jordan Recognition Award for 2003 to Equity Councillor Joseph Ruskin.
The award is given annually by the Western Regional Stage Managers Committee to recognize any individual from the Western Region who has best exemplified the spirit of Lucy Jordan during the previous year. Recipients of the award have demonstrated that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their relationship to the membership of Actors' Equity.
1992 - 2001 Recipient List
2001 - Dr. Barry A. Kohn, Director & Physician of The Actors Fund Free Clinic
2000 - Shawn Newmann, Western Regional Board Secretary
1999 - Gary Marthaler, member of the Wardrobe Union
1998 - Frank M. Young, Founder, President and CEO of Theatre Under The Stars and Executive Director of 5th Avenue Musical Theatre
1997 - John Cauble, Signatory for Guest Artist for Universities
1996 - Patricia MacDonald, House Manager of the Doolittle Theatre
1995 - Tom Rolla, Gardenia Night Club
1994 - Keith Stava, San Bernardino Civic Light Opera
1993 - Howard Caine, Actor
1992 - Iggie Wolfington, Actor & Equity Councillor Emeritus