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SPOTLIGHTING
LOCAL THEATRE HEROINE
This is a 2002
Article By Ruth P. Kurisu
B.J. Scott, founder of the South Orange
County Community Theatre received the
prestigious Spotlight Award from the
American Association of Community Theatre (AACT)
this past Friday evening. Robert "Hitch"
Hitchcox, Director of ACCT Region 8, came
from San Diego to present the award prior to
the opening of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Hitchcox told the audience that the award
was created to provide national recognition
for those making a significant impact on the
quality of local theatre. "Those who build,
nurture, sustain, and reach for new heights
for their theatres are truly heroes."
The first AACT Spotlight Award was presented
in June 2000. To date, 25 theatres have
presented 31 awards. The award is confirmed
by the AACT Awards Committee and is designed
to help AACT organizational members pay
special tribute to an individual for long
and/or special service.
There are over 7000 community theatres in
the United States; even very small towns
often have a community theatre. According to
AACT Executive Director Julie Angelo,
"Theatre meets a need in people. People who
love to do theatre will find a way to do it
almost anywhere. However, for a theatre to
survive year after year, it takes the
faithful support of individuals and
organizations within the community. Every
theatre exists because people believe in it
and because they are dedicated to making it
the best it can be. Most theatres can point
to a handful of volunteers that through the
years have kept the theatre a vital part of
the local community." B.J. Scott is one of
those individuals.
Scott founded the South Orange County
Community Theatre 12 years ago. In 1990, the
city of San Juan Capistrano offered to give
the theatre a home in the long-vacant
PacBell building and the Camino Real
Playhouse was created. Two years later,
Trapped By A Treacherous Twin, was performed
on the newly constructed stage. Over the
past ten years, B.J. and a group of
dedicated volunteers have worked diligently
to remodel the lobby, build a
state-of-the-art technical booth, and
install new seats and carpeting. Last year,
a second stage was completed and is used for
Improv and Open Mic performances, rehearsal
space, Youth Conservatory and acting
classes. Now at the close of its 10th
season, the theatre has become a cultural
force within the community.
B.J. Scott is the backbone of the Camino
Real Playhouse. Audiences have fond memories
of her roles on stage and actors have grown
and thrived under her direction. She has
touched the lives of many. Over 50,000
people have been entertained with comedies,
dramas and musicals. Hundreds of children
have participated in theatre classes and
showcases. And community volunteers
contribute over 10,000 hours each season as
performers, directors, set builders, sound
and light technicians, and support staff.
B.J. is deeply involved in her passion and
has given unconditionally to make her vision
of live theatre a reality for the community
of San Juan Capistrano.
BJ was surprised and honored to receive this
award. She commented that she was not
receiving the award for herself but for all
of the actors, directors and volunteers that
have worked so hard to make the theatre a
success.
"I don't feel
like I have done anything special.
I only do what I love." • B.J. Scott
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