Marcott to Receive BLT's Brauser Award
By DIANE KERNER ARNETT
Richard J. “Dick” Marcott has been chosen to receive the 2012 Lester Brauser Theatre Appreciation Award, announced Bradford Little Theatre president Nanci K. Garris on Thursday.
Established in 2001, the Brauser Award is presented to an individual whose work makes community theatre possible in the Bradford area. It is named after theatre enthusiast the late Lester Brauser.
“Dick is most deserving of this particular award recognizing his efforts in and dedication to community theatre,” said BLT president Nanci K. Garris, noting he has appeared in BLT almost since its founding; has served on the board as president, treasurer and hospitality chairman; has designed and founded programs including various types of acting and technical workshops and Senior Theatre.
“This is only the second time BLT has honored one of our own, the first time being founder Patty Bianco in 2006. She, like Dick, was also honored by Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center, another group she founded. We had no second thoughts about the merits of Dick receiving Brauser just three months later. We so want to thank him for his generosity and dedication to BLT and to making theatre available for area residents to take part in.”
The award will be presented to Marcott at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the opening curtain of “Twelve Angry Men” at First Presbyterian Church, 54 E. Corydon St. In that drama, he will portray Juror #10; it is his second show acting for director Cindy Matteson, with whom he has worked on a variety of productions and the BCPAC children’s acting workshop.
Though he left the board formally after his stint as president ended in June 2010, the 76-year-old retiree has never waivered in his support and has always been easy to turn to for advice, said Garris.
The Bradford native graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1957 retiring with the rank of captain in 1985. In 1986, he returned to Bradford with a master’s degree from George Washington University and taught at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford until 1991.
On his return, he returned to the local stage he had enjoyed at Bradford High School and Arena Theater, eventually performing with BLT, Kiwanis Kapers, Woodland Theatre and Olean (N.Y.) Community Theater.
He and wife Carol, who also worked hospitality and box office for BLT, live in Bradford where their daughter and her husband, Richard and Kimberly Marcott Weinberg also live with their children, Preston and Madeline. In fact, Marcott’s son-in-law also will appear in “Twelve Angry Men” as Juror #7 – and did not know Marcott had intended to try out.
Well-wishers can congratulate Marcott personally during a small reception after the Feb. 3 performance . Of course, he and the rest of the cast will also be on hand after the performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 and 2 p.m. Feb. 5. There will also be a guest book for those who want to write their congratulations.
Past recipients of the Brauser Award include the late Dr. Robert C. Laing Jr., John and Marlene Kijowski, Dr. Richard Frederick, the James VanScoy family, Marmy and the late Steve Hodges, Patty Bianco, Ron Johnson and H.L. “Woody” Woodruff.
Marcott reflects on community theater
Long-time community theater performer and director Richard J. “Dick” Marcott says the accomplishment he is proudest of during his time with Bradford Little Theatre was offstage.
“I guess my proudest accomplishment for the organization of BLT was establishing a budget and financial system that made it easier to plan for our seasons, track expenses, and set priorities. I think it made for more meaningful strategic planning,” he said this week. Marcott did that as treasurer for several years before stepping up to president.
Marcott believes in BLT and in the value of the performing arts for his hometown neighbors and friends.
“I really appreciate BLT for providing the opportunities for growth and development. You’ll find open arms and willing encouragement, whether you want to make your first stage appearance, improve your acting craft, learn the fundamental of theatre tech, or even move ahead to become a director. I made the move to directing, and discovered that is the most fun for me, especially at this point in my life.”
“We all look for a growing and prosperous community. Everyone knows that that means you must be willing and able to make progressive, sometimes scary, moves to provide jobs, medical care, education, and human services. But we can’t shortchange the impact of the amenities of art and cultural opportunities. It can be the influence that makes your city the choice for a corporate decision to move a major business here, or for a retiring family to choose Bradford as a location. We are fortunate to have UPB, Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center and BLT, each filling a little different niche but working together to make our town a better place to live in and enjoy.”
“My fervent wish is to someday see BLT in a permanent home. A small studio theatre of their own. Even a 100-150 seat theatre could do marvels for the community, and set the stage for expanding BLT offerings, as well as being a venue for other small community events.”
“Someone once told me, ‘There’s no sense trying to sell shoes to a culture that prefers to go barefoot.’ But I say, ‘Get them to try some shoes on, they might be surprised how much they improve their outlook!’ Or as Kevin Kostner’s character says in Field of Dreams: ‘Build it and they will come.’”
During his time with BCPAC, Marcott worked hard to ensure its future. He designed, developed and presented workshops on directing, lighting and acting. He said he discovered a love for the classroom when he was assigned to teach at the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in 1961. During and after his Coast Guard career, he led workshops in leadership and management and also served as a human resources development consultant locally after teaching at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Marcott said he was especially touched to be nominated to receive the award named for the late Lester Brauser because Brauser got him started in theater.
“My association with Lester began when I was in high school, I believe 1952. Lester, who had seen several high school productions I had been in, asked me to do something with the Arena Theater (forerunner of the Seneca Players and BLT). I did two plays with Lester, done in- the- round. Our venue was the Women’s Literary Club clubhouse on Chautauqua Street.
“When I retired from the Coast Guard and returned home, I did a lot of skits and dance (of sorts) with Lester for Kiwanis. They paired us up a lot. That was ad-lib heaven! We also had a common Coast Guard connection. Lester had commanded a Coast Guard-manned LST during WWII and, later, I served 28 years active duty with two sea commands.”
Though he won a Theater Association of New York State award for his performance as Stephano in BLT’s production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” Marcott more fondly recalls other moments from his work on the boards.
“When I played the blind hermit in ‘Frankenstein,’ I was warming my hands over the fake fire and heard a noise stage left. I said, ‘Who’s there, is somebody out there?’ A little kids voice yelled out from the audience–‘It’s the monster!’ Chuck Church, the monster, was indeed approaching, and I could barely keep from laughing out loud.”
“A great moment for me was directing my daughter Kimberly in ‘Waiting for MacArthur.’ She surprised me by auditioning. Not only was it one of my favorite plays, but she was terrific; I was and am very proud of her,” he said.
Pictured, Marcott in his upcoming role as juror #10 in the Feb. 3-5 production of "Twelve Angry Men" and Marcott portraying blind hermit DeLacy in "Frankenstein," presented by BLT in 2006.
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since 1947
Richard J. “Dick” Marcott has been chosen to receive the 2012 Lester Brauser Theatre Appreciation Award, announced Bradford Little Theatre president Nanci K. Garris on Thursday.Established in 2001, the Brauser Award is presented to an individual whose work makes community theatre possible in the Bradford area. It is named after theatre enthusiast the late Lester Brauser.
“Dick is most deserving of this particular award recognizing his efforts in and dedication to community theatre,” said BLT president Nanci K. Garris, noting he has appeared in BLT almost since its founding; has served on the board as president, treasurer and hospitality chairman; has designed and founded programs including various types of acting and technical workshops and Senior Theatre.
“This is only the second time BLT has honored one of our own, the first time being founder Patty Bianco in 2006. She, like Dick, was also honored by Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center, another group she founded. We had no second thoughts about the merits of Dick receiving Brauser just three months later. We so want to thank him for his generosity and dedication to BLT and to making theatre available for area residents to take part in.”
The award will be presented to Marcott at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the opening curtain of “Twelve Angry Men” at First Presbyterian Church, 54 E. Corydon St. In that drama, he will portray Juror #10; it is his second show acting for director Cindy Matteson, with whom he has worked on a variety of productions and the BCPAC children’s acting workshop.
Though he left the board formally after his stint as president ended in June 2010, the 76-year-old retiree has never waivered in his support and has always been easy to turn to for advice, said Garris.
The Bradford native graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1957 retiring with the rank of captain in 1985. In 1986, he returned to Bradford with a master’s degree from George Washington University and taught at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford until 1991.
On his return, he returned to the local stage he had enjoyed at Bradford High School and Arena Theater, eventually performing with BLT, Kiwanis Kapers, Woodland Theatre and Olean (N.Y.) Community Theater.
He and wife Carol, who also worked hospitality and box office for BLT, live in Bradford where their daughter and her husband, Richard and Kimberly Marcott Weinberg also live with their children, Preston and Madeline. In fact, Marcott’s son-in-law also will appear in “Twelve Angry Men” as Juror #7 – and did not know Marcott had intended to try out.
Well-wishers can congratulate Marcott personally during a small reception after the Feb. 3 performance . Of course, he and the rest of the cast will also be on hand after the performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 and 2 p.m. Feb. 5. There will also be a guest book for those who want to write their congratulations.
Past recipients of the Brauser Award include the late Dr. Robert C. Laing Jr., John and Marlene Kijowski, Dr. Richard Frederick, the James VanScoy family, Marmy and the late Steve Hodges, Patty Bianco, Ron Johnson and H.L. “Woody” Woodruff.
Marcott reflects on community theater
Long-time community theater performer and director Richard J. “Dick” Marcott says the accomplishment he is proudest of during his time with Bradford Little Theatre was offstage.“I guess my proudest accomplishment for the organization of BLT was establishing a budget and financial system that made it easier to plan for our seasons, track expenses, and set priorities. I think it made for more meaningful strategic planning,” he said this week. Marcott did that as treasurer for several years before stepping up to president.
Marcott believes in BLT and in the value of the performing arts for his hometown neighbors and friends.
“I really appreciate BLT for providing the opportunities for growth and development. You’ll find open arms and willing encouragement, whether you want to make your first stage appearance, improve your acting craft, learn the fundamental of theatre tech, or even move ahead to become a director. I made the move to directing, and discovered that is the most fun for me, especially at this point in my life.”
“We all look for a growing and prosperous community. Everyone knows that that means you must be willing and able to make progressive, sometimes scary, moves to provide jobs, medical care, education, and human services. But we can’t shortchange the impact of the amenities of art and cultural opportunities. It can be the influence that makes your city the choice for a corporate decision to move a major business here, or for a retiring family to choose Bradford as a location. We are fortunate to have UPB, Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center and BLT, each filling a little different niche but working together to make our town a better place to live in and enjoy.”
“My fervent wish is to someday see BLT in a permanent home. A small studio theatre of their own. Even a 100-150 seat theatre could do marvels for the community, and set the stage for expanding BLT offerings, as well as being a venue for other small community events.”
“Someone once told me, ‘There’s no sense trying to sell shoes to a culture that prefers to go barefoot.’ But I say, ‘Get them to try some shoes on, they might be surprised how much they improve their outlook!’ Or as Kevin Kostner’s character says in Field of Dreams: ‘Build it and they will come.’”
During his time with BCPAC, Marcott worked hard to ensure its future. He designed, developed and presented workshops on directing, lighting and acting. He said he discovered a love for the classroom when he was assigned to teach at the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in 1961. During and after his Coast Guard career, he led workshops in leadership and management and also served as a human resources development consultant locally after teaching at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Marcott said he was especially touched to be nominated to receive the award named for the late Lester Brauser because Brauser got him started in theater.
“My association with Lester began when I was in high school, I believe 1952. Lester, who had seen several high school productions I had been in, asked me to do something with the Arena Theater (forerunner of the Seneca Players and BLT). I did two plays with Lester, done in- the- round. Our venue was the Women’s Literary Club clubhouse on Chautauqua Street.
“When I retired from the Coast Guard and returned home, I did a lot of skits and dance (of sorts) with Lester for Kiwanis. They paired us up a lot. That was ad-lib heaven! We also had a common Coast Guard connection. Lester had commanded a Coast Guard-manned LST during WWII and, later, I served 28 years active duty with two sea commands.”
Though he won a Theater Association of New York State award for his performance as Stephano in BLT’s production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” Marcott more fondly recalls other moments from his work on the boards.
“When I played the blind hermit in ‘Frankenstein,’ I was warming my hands over the fake fire and heard a noise stage left. I said, ‘Who’s there, is somebody out there?’ A little kids voice yelled out from the audience–‘It’s the monster!’ Chuck Church, the monster, was indeed approaching, and I could barely keep from laughing out loud.”
“A great moment for me was directing my daughter Kimberly in ‘Waiting for MacArthur.’ She surprised me by auditioning. Not only was it one of my favorite plays, but she was terrific; I was and am very proud of her,” he said.
Pictured, Marcott in his upcoming role as juror #10 in the Feb. 3-5 production of "Twelve Angry Men" and Marcott portraying blind hermit DeLacy in "Frankenstein," presented by BLT in 2006.
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