The Legacy Award
Eligibility: Active, life or active honorary contributor to Central Community Theatre
Criteria: Member has served as an active leader of CCT for at least ten years and who, in that capacity has made sustained contributions to the growth and maturation of the theater through an exceptional commitment of time and expertise.
Guidelines: The recipient will have been actively involved in CCT activities for a period of ten or more years, demonstrating ongoing service to the mission and goals of CCT.
Entry Procedures: The CCT Advisory Committee will present a slate of qualified nominees to the Central United Community Services Board of Directors at the May meeting. Additional nominees can be offered by the CUCS Board of Directors.
Judging: The CUCS Board of Directors will vote on the nominees at the May meeting. A majority vote of the entire CUCS Board of Directors will be required. The decision of the CUCS Board is final, and the CUCS Board reserves the right to make no award if there are no nominees of sufficient merit. The award will be presented at the Cabaret Soiree fundraising event in September. .
The CCT Legacy Award recipients are united by their stunning contributions to theatre and the enduring legacies they have given our community.
The purpose of the CCT Legacy Awards is to acknowledge individual excellence and meaningful contribution to their community through performance art.
As important as public recognition of greatness is, it is more important that others benefit and learn from the positive gifts of the CCT Legacy Award recipients. It is the ultimate purpose of the presentation to encourage others to reach their highest potential, develop it, contribute excellence to others and in turn teach others the importance of this educational cycle.
We are proud of our past and eager to open many more doors for people, everywhere.
2007-2008 Legacy Award Winner
Andrea Kosciusko
Andrea Kosciusko received her BA in theatre from Ohio Northern University in 1971 and her Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University in 1974. Following a lengthy career in professional theatre in New York City and Boston, and as an equity actress and vocalist in many Broadway productions, Andrea toured with the New York City Light Opera Guild, professional children's theatre companies, Paper Bag Players and Boston Cape Summer Stock Company.
Andrea’s first appearance with what is now Central Community Theatre was as Golde in their 1982 production of Fiddler on the Roof. Andreas’s other theatre credits include Death Takes a Holiday, Hansel and Gretel, See How They Run, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Ghost's, The Cherry Orchard, Our Town, Spoon River Anthology, No Exit, Camelot, How to Succeed in Business and Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace.
Andrea has proved herself to be an instrumental force through her service as Chairman of the Central United Methodist Church Theatre Task Force and is loved for her portrayals of the Judas’s mother in the chancel drama, No Name in the Street, and Mama Wallace in Wisteria Bush. Andrea would like to thank Mary for being an ongoing inspiration and support for all that she does.
2006-2007 Legacy Award Winner
Norma Heubach
We are honored to recognize Norma Heubach as the first recipient of CCT’s LEGACY AWARD. Her contribution to theatre began in Warren Pennsylvania where her talents of a superb contralto voice and mesmerizing acting style were featured on radio, summer stock and local stages.
She and her husband Herman moved to Phoenix in 1956 where upon their arrival they joined Central United Methodist Church where Norma became a soloist and choir member.
Her love for theatre led her to performance art throughout the Valley until 1964 when CUMC introduced their own community theatre with Brigadoon. Since that time Norma has had starring and featured roles in 39 productions including Sound of Music, King and I, Once Upon a Mattress, The Music Man, Oklahoma, Hello Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, ’S Wonderful, As Thousands Cheer, Cole, Wisteria Bush, Harvey, And Then There Were None and many more.
Her portrayals of Vera Charles in Mame and Clairee in Steel Magnolias are among her audience (and personal) favorites. She has also extended her performances to meaningful Chancel Dramas demonstrating her deep devotion to her faith.
Norma is currently retired from US West, acts as CUMC’s Wedding/Funeral Coordinator and is an active participant of the Sanctuary Choir. She plays an active and loving role in her daughter Chryl and son-in-law’s Alan, and son Scott’s life and the self professed light of her life, her grand-daughter Rachael.
Norma’s commitment to CCT is fueled through her passion to breath life to a story and sharing her love of performance art with cast, crew and audience alike. Her work as mentor, Charter Board Member, volunteer and contributor are met with a ceaseless energy that inspires all who meet her to reach for the stars. Norma often reminds us that “It is ALL Good” and that living in the moment is the greatest gift of all.
Her performances and more importantly her commitment to deepen the community participation experience through our mission has defined the standard of excellence which is the brilliant heritage of CCT.