Founder

To me this is not just a statement; it is my passion. I believe an individual's growth is more important than the final product. This approach gives everyone an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Work history since moving to Howard County:

1972 -
1974 -
1975 -

1976 -

1979 -
1994 -

Awards & Recognition:

1976 -

1985 -
1990 -
1996 -
1996 -
1998 -

1999 -
2001 -

2002 -

2003 -

Commitment to the community:

- Ten years producing Labor of Love to raise money for the Howard County Aids Alliance
- Chairing and directing the Howard County Arts Gala to raise money for the Howard -County Arts Council (3 years)
- Fund raising events for the Carson Scholars Fund
- Providing scholarships to children in need for classes and summer camp
- Development of motivational pieces and programming for the Sesquicentennial, Mall openings, and numerous special holiday programs
- Providing free concerts to hundreds of senior citizens, hospitals, and community events
- Working for the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts on a volunteer basis
- Providing the underserved population with free or reduced price seating to Toby's Dinner Theatre

The CCTA mission is to educate through the arts by creating theatrical experiences that inspire thought, action, creativity, and change. CCTA is also dedicated to making these experiences available and accessible to as many members of the community as possible with an emphasis on reaching and nurturing our children regardless of gender, race, ability, age, socioeconomic status or creed.

In 1959, I moved to Maryland with my husband Hal. After several years of teaching, directing, and producing, I was asked by Mr. Jim Rouse to create a theatrical arts school for the new city of Columbia. It was then I founded the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA) under the following mission statement:

Founder, Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (to present)
Visiting Professor, Catholic University (6 years)
Producer & Director, U.S.O. Shows (3 years)
Director, Wye Mills Summer Stock (3 years)
Producer/Director, America Show for 1776 Hotel in Williamsburg, VA.
Producer/Director show for Wolf Trap Summer Children's Program (to present)
Founder/Artistic Director, Toby's Dinner Theatre (to present)
Director, It's A Wonderful Life national tour (developed at Toby's Dinner Theatre)

The Young Columbians perform at a State Dinner for President Jimmy Carter
The Young Columbians acquire national attention in U.S. News and World Report
The Young Columbians produce a television special at the Lincoln Memorial,
The Young Columbians' video is placed in the "official national time capsule.
Columbian of the Year (Columbia Magazine)
Howie Award recipient for outstanding contributions to the Arts in Howard County
Voted Best of Baltimore, Baltimore Magazine -- Dinner Theatre (1997, 1998, 1999)
Howard County Business Volunteer of the Year
Selected as one of the Outstanding Women by the State Board of Education for creativity and enriching the lives of people in Maryland
Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical competing with 64 theatres in the DC Metro area including the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Ford's Theatre (more than 25 nominations since)
Aids Alliance Community Recognition Award for 10 years Service, Support, Guidance
One of 16 women featured in the book: Lives in Art: Sixteen Women Who Changed Theatre in Baltimore
Selected Honorary Chair for Howard County Arts Gala
Inducted into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame
Inducted into Maryland's Top 100 Women
Received Helen Hayes award for Best Director, Jekyl & Hyde

Perhaps my greatest achievement has been my 42-year marriage to Hal and raising my two children. Jeffrey is a lawyer residing in Olney with his wife and two sons and my daughter Mindy lives in Howard County with her husband, son and daughter. She is a guidance counselor with the Howard County School System and member of the crisis intervention team.

I am filled with pride as I watch my children inspire my grandchildren through thought, action, creativity, change, and most of all their love and compassion for others.