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Wellesley Players’ Celia Couture to receive National Theatre Award

Celia Couture of Tewksbury, Massachusettts is being honored with the Distinguished Merit Award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The award will be presented at an awards ceremony during the AACT New York Adventure 2016 in New York, NY July 7-10, 2016.

The AACT Distinguished Merit Award is presented to individuals and organizations in recognition of contributions made to promote and develop the highest standards for community theatre. Visit aact.org/awards for information on all AACT National Awards, 2016 AACT Award winners, and previous honorees.

Celia Couture began a 35-year love for community theatre as a child, when her mother took her to see live plays and musicals. Some of her closest relationships are a result of her involvement with community theatre as a director, board member, and performer. She is most grateful for the actors, stage managers, and set, lighting, costume, and sound designers she has had the privilege to collaborate with and direct, and is “humbled by their profound love and sharing of the scripted word or their ability to tell a story through music, set design, lighting, or sound effect”. Celia has led almost a dozen state and regional festivals in Massachusetts, enjoying many weekends listening to and watching master classes, and believing professionally adjudicated festivals encourage theatrical risk-taking. She continues working to ensure that community theatre thrives in eastern Massachusetts, coordinating with several groups to create an alliance facilitating the sharing of resources and venue costs. Celia is especially proud of receiving this distinction, as she has always felt community theatre provides the opportunity to see live theatre at reasonable prices for those who might not be able to afford the high costs of professional theatre.

AACT provides networking, resources, and support for America’s theatres. AACT represents the interests of more than 7,000 theatres across the United States and its territories, as well as theatre companies with the U.S. Armed Services overseas.