The Broadway League Announces Its 2014 League Awards

NEW YORK, May 14 -- The Broadway League issued the following news release:

The annual Broadway League Awards, honoring excellence and achievement for Touring Broadway, were announced today during the Broadway League's 2014 Spring Road Conference. First presented in 1992, the Broadway League Awards recognize the contributions of those who have displayed exemplary service to the Broadway industry and are considered innovators of their craft.

"League members worked tirelessly this season to bring Broadway shows to 223 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Touring Broadway contributes $3.4 billion to local economies across the U.S. Coupled with the over $11.2 billion dollar economic impact for New York City, it is clear that Broadway and Touring Broadway Series create real value to our country's economy," said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. "We couldn't do it without the enormous support that our awardees, the donors and volunteers - both corporate and private -- give to promote and enrich the Broadway Series in their hometowns."

THE AWARDS

ALLAN WILLIAMS was bestowed the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award

Allan Williams is a partner in Foresight Theatrical, which provides General Management and Executive Producer services to Broadway, Touring and other live productions as well as a partner in AWA Partners, a theatrical booking agency. During his 27 years with Foresight and its predecessor company, Alan Wasser Associates, Allan has been involved with the management of more than 40 Broadway shows including The Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots, Les Miserables, Million Dollar Quartet, Follies, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, Grey Gardens, Miss Saigon as well as other live entertainment such as The Tony Awards, Walking with Dinosaurs, I Love Lucy Live On-stage, Dora the Explorer Live and Madagascar Live. Prior to general managing, Allan was Company Manager of shows such as Dreamgirls, La Cage Aux Folles and A Chorus Line.

Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management (Samuel J. L'Hommedieu Award) was given to JAMES SHEELEY of Historic Theatre Group in Minneapolis, MN for demonstrating excellence in management and leadership.

Minneapolis has taken a forefront in the theatre scene under Jim Sheeley's guidance. He is seen as a strong leader across the Midwest who sees the value in dynamic ticketing and has actively been at the helm of this discussion. He understands his subscribers and what they want to see, but also knows when to push their boundaries. Jim has helped bring some of the best of Broadway to the Twin Cities. From drag queens to Disney princesses and dancing Mormons, Jim brings a variety of shows to his audience.

Outstanding Achievement in Road Marketing - WENDY OGLESBY of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC for her dedication to in-house marketing department.

Wendy Oglesby has served as VP of Marketing at Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte since 2003. Last season she led her team to sell 90% of capacity for Broadway shows. In addition to Broadway shows, she works to market over a hundred concerts and other attractions each year. Wendy is respected by her peers and is currently chairing the Marketing group of the Performing Arts Center Consortium, PACC.

Outstanding Achievement in Education and Engagement - ROBERT SAGAN of the Rochester Broadway Theatre League in Rochester, NY

Bob Sagan has been an educator for 50 years. After 26 years as a dedicated teacher of English and Artistic Director at Rush Henriette High, he 'retired;' only to begin his second career as Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. Through Bob, the Rochester Broadway Theatre League developed six major education programs over the past 17 years including: Middle School, Theatre Team, Stars of Tomorrow, Summer Stars, NY City Bound National High School Musical Theatre Awards, and Master class programs. In the 2013-2014 season alone, more than 5,000 Rochester City and surrounding area students participated in one or more of these programs.

ERIK BIRKELAND was honored with the George MacPherson Road Award

This is the fifth time this award has been given to honor the memory of George MacPherson, a veteran producer who recognized the vast potential in sharing high quality touring productions with audiences around the world. Erik Birkeland is a professional road warrior who has overseen numerous productions. He is currently the company manager for Porgy and Bess and formerly Memphis. Erik continually shares his time to mentor others and is an excellent advocate for the League/ATPAM Diversity Initiative which pairs interns from diverse backgrounds with ATPAM managers on touring Broadway shows.

STAR OF TOURING BROADWAY AWARDS, to honor board members, government officials, donors and volunteers who have given support to promote and enrich the Broadway Series in their hometowns, were announced for:

AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY - Auto-Owners Insurance Company in East Lansing, MI, upholds a bold standard for corporate philanthropy while embracing Wharton Center's Broadway season year after year. With more than $650,000 contributed since their initial involvement in 1998, Auto-Owners Insurance Company makes sure the show goes on. Prior to their first sponsorship in 1998, Auto-Owners created a group sales program for both their employees and agents that has grown considerably and serves as a model for other organizations in mid-Michigan. Today, Auto-Owners alone accounts for more than 25% of the total group sales for Broadway performances at Wharton Center.

BARRY EPSTEIN - As a long-time member of the Executive Committee of Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM), Barry Epstein, founder and president of EcoStatic Systems LLC and civic leader, has supported DSM not only with his unwavering financial support, but through thousands of hours serving on the board for several years. His work throughout the years now earmarks the Music Hall as the first live entertainment venue in Dallas to implement T Loop technology, the newest system for hearing assistance. He is also working with DSM to patent the new Hear Us Now! System so all venues may be able to benefit from his research.

FOUR ROSES BOURBON - Four Roses Bourbon has partnered with PNC Broadway in Louisville since February, 2012. They sponsored the 2012/2013 season announcement from Times Square with The Max 102.3 Radio. Four Roses is very committed to Broadway in Louisville and our local initiatives. We have developed a "Bourbon and Broadway" brand that has become engrained in our local culture, which celebrates both bourbon and Louisville's touring Broadway scene simultaneously.

LAURIE AND CHUCK GOLDSTEIN - Laurie Goldstein and her husband Dr. Chuck Goldstein are exemplary members of ASU Gammage's 50th Anniversary Leadership Board. Laurie and Chuck have been enjoying the Broadway Series at ASU Gammage since the mid-80s and have been Broadway Season Subscribers for more than 16 years. Since joining the ASU Gammage family of VIP's in 2008, their financial contributions have been significant, including underwriting three gala events for Gammage to build its philanthropic community and raise funds for capital improvements to the historic Frank Lloyd Wright designed theater and endowment.

[Category: Arts/Culture]

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