Local theatre volunteers take center stage




HEATHER O'QUINN/The Acorn.  THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT--Amy Perkins accepts an Honorable Mention Award from executive director Dick Johnson at the Conejo Players' 28th Annual Harlequin Awards banquet on last Saturday.

HEATHER O’QUINN/The Acorn. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT–Amy Perkins accepts an Honorable Mention Award from executive director Dick Johnson at the Conejo Players’ 28th Annual Harlequin Awards banquet on last Saturday.


By Lori Porter
Acorn Staff Writer


To show appreciation for its volunteers, Conejo Players Theatre presented its 28th annual Harlequin Awards Banquet Saturday night inside the theatre’s large backstage area.


This year also marks the 45th anniversary of the Conejo Players Theatre, a remarkable triumph for a small community theatre. Many similar endeavors fail within a decade. The Players’ secret to success lies in the enormous amount of volunteering that goes on behind—and in front of—the scenes.


Conejo Players is an all-volunteer community theatre organization of seasonal comedies, musicals and plays for adults and children alike.


The Harlequin Awards Banquet honors the many volunteers for their dedicated participation as actors, directors, singers, dancers, stage hands, costume and set designers, lighting technicians, scenic carpenters, set painters, ticket takers, ushers and snack bar attendants.


Saturday evening’s event began with guests socializing in between and around the theatre seats while they were served wine and beer. Then, Dick Johnson, Conejo Players executive director, ushered everyone onto the stage, through a set and to the backstage area where tables adorned with balloons, wine, bread and Caesar salad.


At about 9:15 p.m., after a delicious meal and desert, the awards began. There were an estimated 100 guests with 75 awards given out.


"This is a very unique organization that spends numerous hours providing entertainment for the community," said Johnson. "This is a night for all of us to pat ourselves on the back."


The awards ranged from honorable mentions to first-year through 28th-year awards. In addition to the Harlequin Award, they also named Honorary Life Memberships to those whose past and current contributions deserved special recognition.


Three awards recognizing and thanking donors were given out, representing $30,000 in contributions to the theatre.


Jordan Meldrum, 10, received an award for playing parts such as "Oliver Twist" and Jerry Nehring, a man who didn’t divulge his age, but has four grandchildren, received a third-year award in addition to an award that went to his wife, Eva. Nehring has appeared in several productions, the last one being a bishop in the comedy farce, "See How They Run."


The Nehrings are property custodians at the theatre, which means they take care of all the props.


Given a 24th-year award was Elinor Gustafson, a woman who constructed food props for years—they rarely use real food.


The Shavers wanted to do something together as a family, so they got involved with the theatre. Brittany Shaver and her brother, Cameron, first auditioned and appeared in "Snow White" and they’ve been in every children’s production since. Their parents, Jeff and Linda Shaver, have volunteered their time, helping out backstage with props and sets.


To acknowledge a child who shows great enthusiasm for the theatre, Conejo Players gave the Dick Johnson Education Award this year to Amy Perkins, a middle school student from Conejo Valley who’s appeared in many of the children’s productions. This year, she’ll be assistant director on a production, helping with choreography, because dance is her specialty. The award for Perkins was a book called, "Musicals," which may encourage her even more.


The Harlequin Awards Banquet left no one out.


Jeanne Murry, the voice and the face at the box office, received a 28th-year award for her numerous hours of volunteer work. "This is a person who works seven days a week," said Doug Jocelyn, president of Conejo Players. "The phone actually rings in her home when she is not in the box office," he said.


Along with acting, directing and producing, volunteers are currently working on the Conejo Players expansion, which they have titled "Reaching for the Stars." There are four phases to the expansion and they’re currently completing the first.


To reach Conejo Valley Players, go to their Website at www.conejoplayers.org or call (805) 495-3715.


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