Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 20, 2016 1:58 p.m.
At its July 19, 2016 Regular Meeting, the Fernandina Beach City Commission urged citizens to join them in celebrating Amelia Community Theatre’s 35th anniversary. On behalf of the Theater, incoming board President Mary Lee Long and outgoing board president Pat Henderson received the city proclamation from Mayor John A. Miller that expressed appreciation to “the hundreds of volunteers, residents, business owners, area schools and churches for actively embracing and supporting this wonderful local theatre for the past three and a half decades.”
Amelia Community Theatre (ACT) was born in 1981, when Dr. Ed Green and his wife Ellen assembled a group of civic minded residents to discuss how to fill what they identified as an artistic void in the community. As a result of their discussions and efforts, ACT began offering theatrical productions by community members for the enjoyment of community members. Over the years the scope and range of the theater organization and its productions have grown exponentially.
Today more than 750 members support the theater, which entertains about 12,000 audience members each year. In 2012 ACT received two prestigious national awards from the American Association of Coummunity Theatre in New York City and the Twink Lynch Award for excellence in growth and development. Managing director Linda McClane also received an individual award for excellence in leadership.
In accepting the city proclamation, Mary Lee Long thanked the city. But, she said, “The real stars of this theater are the members of the community who have supported us for 35 seasons in our effort to put the community on stage.”
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.