1st Annual Grand Prairie Arts Council Shining Stars - Ruthe Awards
The Grand Prairie Arts Council held the 1st Annual Ruthe Awards - Honoring the Shining Stars of the Arts in Grand Prairie Saturday evening at the Grand Prairie Woman’s Club.
The award is named in honor of Grand Prairie’s most prominent citizen, Mrs. Ruthe Jackson, Mayor Pro Tem.
This year’s winners include:
- Outstanding Actor – Sally Allison, for her role in GPAC’s production of “Nunsense.”
- Outstanding Visual Artist – Larry Sanchez, for his work on the Uptown Construction Walls Mural Project.
- Outstanding Dancer – Shannon Walsh, Choreographer for GPAC’s production of “Damn Yankees”.
- Outstanding Storyteller – Mel Davenport, Co-Founder of the Grand Prairie Storytellers & Listeners Guild.
- Outstanding Musician – Tripp Jackson, as Musical Director for GPAC’s productions of “Nunsense” & “Damn Yankees”.
- Outstanding Event Technician – Jerry Vaughn, for his set design & building for numerous GPAC productions over the years.
- Outstanding Youth Participant – Amanda Arnold, for her participant in GPAC productions over the past 9 years; including as Zulu in GPAC’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” when she was just four years old.
- Executive Director’s Award – Doug Beich, liaison from the city’s Parks & Recreation Department on the GPAC Board of Directors, and hardworking GPAC Supporter.
- Executive Director’s Award – Kathy Brundrett, longtime GPAC Board Member, and volunteer.
- People’s Choice, Best Actor in the Annual Summer Musical – Jerry Vaughn as Mr. Applegate in GPAC’s production of “Damn Yankees”.
- Outstanding House Management Volunteer – Debbie Dobbs Vernon
- Outstanding GPAC Board Member – Amy Jackson
- Leadership Award – Libby Clawson, Executive Director of GPAC
Special award to the original Shinning Star of Grand Prairie – The Honorable Mrs. Ruthe Jackson
