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ACT Cincinnati Annual Awards
About Awards
​Each year, at its annual banquet, ACT Cincinnati recognizes individuals with awards that acknowledge the winner’s contributions to Greater Cincinnati community theater. These awards recognize significant achievement by individuals who strive to encourage the growth and improve the quality of community theater throughout the region.
The nominees for three of the awards, The Art Rouse Award, The Mario Pitocco Award, and The Roger Grooms Award, come from each of the member groups who may nominate one individual for each award per year. The written nominations are read and discussed by a committee chaired by the Awards Chairperson and the committee votes on the winner of each award. The winner’s names are kept secret until the night of the banquet when the name of the winner is announced after a narrative of their experience and contributions has been read.
The nominees for the fourth award, the Joel Lind Rising Star Award, also come from each of the member groups, but unlike the Rouse, Pitocco, and Grooms awards, all Rising Star nominees will be recognized at the banquet with a certificate.
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These awards are considered the highest honors ACT Cincinnati can bestow on the winner. Even to be nominated for any of the awards is considered an honor as the nominations come from your peers who are recognizing your contributions to your theater group.
The fifth award, the President’s Award, is given by the President of ACT who chooses the winner based on an individual’s contributions to ACT Cincinnati during the current season.
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The Art Rouse Award
Established in 1976
ACT of Greater Cincinnati presents the prestigious Art Rouse Award to an individual or couple who has shown exceptional commitments and dedication to community theatre. Art was a founding member of both ACT and OCTA. He served as president of ACT of Greater Cincinnati, Inc., establishing the annual President’s Award, and was a tireless and capable administrator. He was an OCTA delegate, and worked both on and off stage for numerous groups. This award is given in memory of Art and his efforts to promote community theatre and improve its quality.
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Download the Art Rouse nomination form
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Art Rouse Award Recipients:​
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2025 - Robert Weidle
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2024 - Mary Stone
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2023 - Judy Berrens
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2022 - Bunny Arszman
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2021 - Cathy Lutts
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2020 - Tom & Nancy Storey
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2019 - Laureen Catlin
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2018 - Kathy Beiting
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2017 - Arlene Borock-Balczo
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2016 - Wayne Kirsch
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2015 - Dee Dunn
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2014 - Gittee Bortz
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2013 - Dennis Murphy
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2012 - Patt Robb
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2011 - Mike Burke
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2010 - Arny Stoller
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2009 - Linda Roll
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2008 - Norma Niinemets
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2007 - Ron & Freida Houck
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2006 - Pat Furterer
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2005 - Tom Fox
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2004 - Bill & Stella Brinkman
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2003 - Dee Anne Bryll & Ed Cohen
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2002 - Henry Capluch
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2001 - Rilla Foster
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2000 - Joy Sharp
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1999 - Ginny Chizer
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1998 - Marty Mehring
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1997 - Don Frimming
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1996 - John Wesseling
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1995 - Judy & Gary Wettengel
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1994 - June Dean Baldwin
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1993 - Richard Stoops
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1992 - Peggy Kenney
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1991 - Michael Murphy
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1990 - Charlotte Hall
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1989 - Jim Ponchot
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1988 - Julian Feldman
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1987 - Ed Spencer
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1986 - Frank Beard
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1985 - Ethel & Gordon Youngerman
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1984 - Dorthy Kommann
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1983 - Frank Nesi
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1982 - Roger Grooms
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1981 - Sally Dowlin
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1980 - Carol Mills
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1979 - Sally Gensler & Robert Mehring
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1978 - Mary Haas
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1977 - Jeanette Henn
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1976 - Elston Hurst ​​
The Mario Pitocco Award
Established in 1988
To preserve and encourage innovative technical theatre in memory of Mario Pitocco, this award is presented annually to honor an individual who has shown continuous service and excellence in creative technical theatre, including, but not limited to: costuming, house management lighting sound program, props, set décor, set design, set construction, stage management, etc.
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Download the Mario Pitocco nomination form
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Mario Pitocco Award Recipients:
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2025 - Carolyn Martinez
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2024 - Julie Beelman
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2023 - George Fee
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2022 - Elaine Michael
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2021 - Kent Smith
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2020 - Jason Cox
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2019 - Art Kibby
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2018 - Glenna Knapp
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2017 - Sharon Buchtman
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2016 - Ray Persing
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2015 - Elaine Volker
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2014 - Patrick Downey
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2013 - Vicki Rafferty
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2012 - John Netzley
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2011 - Fran Uecker
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2010 - Eric Bardes
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2009 - Scott Baker
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2008 - Robert F. McClain II
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2007 - Ed Spencer
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2006 - Dan Dermody
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2005 - Steve Myers
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2004 - Peggy Stouffer
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2003 - John Wesseling
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2002 - John & Kim Minor
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2001 - Bob Fritzsch
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2000 - Dennis Murphy
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1999 - Dave Myers
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1998 - Jef Brown
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1997 - Fred Thoman
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1996 - Michael L. Morehead
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1995 - Tim Binzer
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1994 - Deidre Dyson
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1993 - Howard Mills
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1992 - Jeffery T. Straight
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1991 - Phil Pitocco
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1990 - Gary Rogers
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1989 - Don Haas
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1988 - Ron Houck​​
The Roger Grooms Award
Established in 2007
Known for his wit, eloquence, charm and passion for theatre, Roger Grooms supported the artistic growth of theatre in our region throughout his long career as an educator, film and dramatic critic, actor and director of plays and musicals. This award is therefore given annually in Roger’s memory to honor an individual who has demonstrated dedication to raising the artistic quality of community theater production through active teaching and/or by demonstrating sustained excellence in the categories of directing, acting, choreography, musical or vocal direction.
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Download the Roger Grooms Nomination form
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Roger Grooms Award Recipients:
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2025 - Douglas Berlon
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2024 - Linda Abbott
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2023 - Charles Wilhelm
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2022 - Danny Davies
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2021 - Wayne Kirsch
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2020 - Jerry Wiesenhahn
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2019 - Tom Peters
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2018 - Rebecca McLaughlin
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2017 - Peggy Kenney
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2016 - Gary Rogers
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2015 - Karen Vanover
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2014 - Burt McCollum
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2013 - Ed Cohen
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2012 - John & Anna Nixon
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2011 - Norma Niinemets
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2010 - Dick Wesp
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2009 - Dee Anne Bryll
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2008 - Ginny Chizer
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2007 - Bonnie Schanz​
The Joel Lind Rising Star Award
Established in 2019
ACT of Greater Cincinnati presents the Rising Star Award, named in honor of Joel Lind who was instrumental in its creation, to recognize individuals who have exemplified a new level of exceptional dedication and commitment to their theatre or the ACT community as a whole. This could mean an individual who is in the early stages of their theater career, no matter their age, or someone who has been around a while that has demonstrated a renewed dedication to Community Theater. Joel Lind Rising Star nominees should be different than Art Rouse, Mario Pitocco and Roger Grooms nominees, and all nominees will be recognized at the banquet with a certificate.
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Download the Joel Lind Rising Star Nomination form
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2025 Rising Star Award Winners:
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Curtis Perea – Acting Up
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Nor White – Beechmont Players
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Allie Webber – CenterStage Players
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Savanah Kennedy – Cincinnati Music Theatre
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Evan Blanton – Footlighters, Inc.
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Michaela Cramer – INNOVATheatre
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Kyle Echols – Loveland Stage Company
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Matthew O'Brien – Mariemont Players
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Eva Bower – Mason Community Players
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Lauren Davidson – Queen City Productions
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Elise Gillespie – Rivertown Players
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Parker Dreier – Sunset Players
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Lisa White – The Drama Workshop
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Mindi Emmons – Tri-County Players
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Drue Harris – Village Players of Fort Thomas
The President's Award
Established in 2007
The ACT President’s Award is given annually by the President of ACT to an ACT board member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the goals of the ACT during that particular year. The award generally goes to the board member who has gone beyond the normal duties of their position and demonstrated extra effort.
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President's Award Recipients:
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2025 - Mark Culp, Jon Scheiding, & Amanda Emmons Shumate
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2024 - Betsy Obermeyer
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2023 - Amy Waldfogle
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2022 - Joy Sharp & Mary Stone
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2021 - Laureen Catlin
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2020 - Fred Hunt
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2019 - Amanda Emmons Shumate
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2018 - Amanda Emmons Shumate
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2017 - Ray Persing & Long Range Responding Committee
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2016 - Arlene Borock
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2015 - Arlene Borock
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2014 - Dee Anne Bryll
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2013 - Arlene Borock
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2012 - Wayne Kirsch
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2011 - John Wesseling
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2010 - Joy Sharp & Dee Anne Bryll
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2009 - Joy Sharp
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2008 - Tracy Botos
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2007 - John Wesseling​​
