Betty Peters OCTA Spirit Award recipient

Posted: Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 9:42am

Longtime Curtain Players volunteer Betty Peters is the 2011 recipient of the Ohio Community Theatre Association’s Spirit of Community Theatre Award for the Central Region. The announcement was made at the close of the OCTA Central Region festival Saturday, July 9, in Newark.

Lisa Billing nominated Peters for the honor. Billing’s nomination essay cited the many jobs Peters has handled for Curtain Players, including her many years as business manager and how she “in that capacity, came in contact with just about every patron.” Billing also noted the many times Betty Peters has worked as an “exceptional” rehearsal assistant for Curtain productions, created lobby displays, and purchased tickets for patrons in a gesture of audience development. Peters is also Curtain’s archivist. Billing called Peters “a valuable member of Curtain Players” and “one of Curtain’s best cheerleaders.” She also noted how Peters frequently attends OCTA events and local theatre productions, often sharing Facebook comments about what she has enjoyed to encourage engagement in theatre with other presenting organizations in Central Ohio. Peters also is a reviewer for Theatre Vault.

As the Spirit Award recipient, Peters received a certificate and a star-shaped pin. The award is given to an individual selected from nominees recognized for their dedication to the community through theatre.