Day Named Near Award Recipient

Posted: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 2:07pm

Michael Day received the Curtain Players Richard D. Near Award during the annual end-of-the-season party at Plank's on Saturday, June 19. It is one of the most highly regarded honors within the organization.

This award was established in the memory of Richard D. Near to acknowledge "continued dedication to the advancement of Curtain Players." Near, a charter member of the community theatre, served the organization as an officer, board member, actor, director, and advocate. Near's illness and death in 1982 at age 54 sadly did not allow him the pleasure of attending a production in Curtain's own building, property for which he worked hard to purchase and to outfit as the company's own performance home.

Although nominations are accepted each year, the Near Award is not bestowed annually. The Curtain Players Board of Directors reviews the nominations and—should a candidate be seriously considered for the honor—then must vote unanimously to approve the recognition.

Day's name is now included on a master plaque recognizing all the Near recipients. That plaque hangs in the theatre lobby.

Excerpting the essay nominating Day:

"His motivation is not applause, which fades, but building for Curtain Players a lasting opportunity for others to experience the same creative excitement and energy he has found in theatre. The many contributions shared by Mikey with Curtain Players may be 'all in a Day's work.' For that body of work, we are most appreciative."