Meet Reed Hutton
2024 Recipient of the EODL Scholarship
Reed Hutton has been involved in theatrical arts, both on stage and back-stage, with all three of the Brockville Theatre Guild (BTG), Brockville Operatic Society (BOS) and as part of his studies with St. Mary High School for a number of years. Last year, he performed in the BTG’s production of “Calendar Girls” and was an ASM in “Love and Avarice” (2022), and “A Christmas Story” (2019). He also performed in the 2023 St. Mary High School production of “Freaky Friday” and played the part of Davey in the 2024 St. Mary production of “Newsies”. Since the age of five, Reed has performed in countless productions with the BOS. He has a great attitude, energy and feedback from cast/crew is always positive. Beyond the stage, he is a thoughtful and enthusiastic supporter of local productions and never hesitates to offer his direct contributions (eg.: labour to help build a set or create props). Reed is pursuing his post secondary education to become a Drama Teacher!
Congratulations, Amelia Abell
2024 recipient of
The Tessie Honourariam
Amelia has been actively involved with Kanata Theatre (KT) since 2013. By the end of the 2024 season, she will have appeared on stage in at least 10 productions, mostly with the KYOS and KTKids group. In addition, she has worked backstage on a number of main stage plays. She has given KT hundreds of hours of her volunteer time assisting with props, stage crew, set painting, and working the front of house and servery. Amelia is an enthusiastic and professional member of the KT team. She is always punctual, has a positive attitude, and is eager to give a hand to anyone in need. She has become a sought-after crew member on production teams, all while maintaining a +90% average in her final two years of high school. She has attended new member orientation sessions to welcome new folks to the theatre, and assisted in KT member events, like the recent volunteer appreciation night. She is genuinely passionate about theatre and plans to continue volunteering at KT while she commences her post-secondary journey.
Student Scholarships and Honorariums are to be submitted by March 1 of the calendar year
The Tessie Honorarium is given in memory of Thérèse May. Fondly known as TESSIE, Thérèse began working enthusiastically with the executive of the EODL because of her vision “that theatre become truly a part of our Canadian way of life”. This honorarium was inaugurated in 2022. The applicant will be a high school student who has worked significantly with their EODL member group, showing enthusiasm and devotion to theatre as an integral part of the community. They need not necessarily be pursuing post secondary education. If you wish to nominate someone for this honorarium, you may either use the mailing address on the application form (in WORD format or PDF format), or you may email you request to eodl1933@gmail.com
EODL Scholarship (formerly the Thérèse May Scholarship)
Thérèse May was well known and loved not only in our region but across Canada. She devoted sixty years of her life to the theatre, taking part in many festivals, acting in both English and French. She was Chair and Treasurer of the EODL serving on many of its committees, and was also the Honourable Secretary of the Dominion Drama Festival from 1966 to 1968.
Inaugurated in 1969, the EODL Scholarship is to be given to a senior student who shows talent, potential and a willingness to proceed in some aspect of theatrical training. The student should be one who is planning to enter college or university the following school year to further their education in theatre. The student need not belong to an EODL member group, nor be a present participant; however, they must have worked in some capacity with one of the EODL member groups. The $400 scholarship is awarded annually.
If you wish to nominate someone for this scholarship, you may either use the mailing address on the application form (in WORD format or PDF format), or you may email your request to eodl1933@gmail.com.
Inaugurated in 2007, Pat Beharriell was known provincially, nationally and internationally for her work in theatre that earned her the Order of Canada, but her name was most often connected with Domino Theatre in Kingston. Pat stage managed and/or produced nearly 50 productions for Domino, was a Board member for 46 years and their President for six years. Pat was a long-time member of the Eastern Ontario Drama League and until she passed away, as the EODL archivist who entertained us all with many stories from the EODL archives.
The Patricia Beharriell CM Scholarship is to be given to a senior student who shows talent, potential and a willingness to proceed in some area of the non-performing aspect of theatrical training. The student should be one who is planning to enter college or university the following school year to further their education in theatre. The student need not belong to an EODL member group, nor be a present participant; however, they must have worked in some capacity with one of the EODL member groups.
If you wish to nominate someone for this scholarship, you may either use the mailing address on the application form (in WORD format or PDF format), or you may email your request to eodl1933@gmail.com.
New Project Grants
EODL shares revenue generated by the EODL Foundation Fund as well as EODL surplus funds with their member groups. Groups may apply for funding up to $1,000 for a new project. To read more about the Terms of Reference and the application process, click here. New Project Grants are due by March 1 of any given year.
EODL Member Awards
EODL Award for Outstanding Service
This award was originally called the CKLC Trophy and later the Kinnear d'Esterre Award, after the donors at that time.
The EODL Award for Outstanding Service is given to an individual whose volunteer work for the organization has shown extraordinary devotion and has spanned many years. The person is chosen by a committee made up of those former recipients who are still active members of EODL. The EODL President will be advised of the nomination except in the case where the President is to be the recipient. The award is presented at the beginning of the Festival Awards ceremony at either the One Act or the Full Length Festival. This award is not necessarily given every year.
Theatre Ontario Michael Spence Award
This award is named in honour of Michael Spence, the founding President of Theatre Ontario. Theatre Ontario as an organization ceased to exist in 2019. Michael was active in community theatre at Hart House Theatre, London Little Theatre and the University Alumnae Dramatic Club, now known as Alumnae Theatre. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Dominion Drama Festival, a past President of Arts Etobicoke and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of theatre in Ontario. Pursuant to a motion passed at a 1996 EODL meeting in Bancroft, the EODL winner of the Michael Spence Award is offered two lifetime complimentary tickets to all performances at the EODL One Act and Full Length Festivals.
The award was established in 1997 by Theatre Ontario on the occasion of their 25th Anniversary. Multiple awards were presented on the quinquennial anniversaries of Theatre Ontario until 2012 when it became a single annual award. The last Michael Spence Award presented in Eastern Ontario was in 2018.
Theatre Ontario's Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre was presented annually to an individual for their outstanding contribution to community theatre in their region over a sustained time. The recipient would have shown a generosity of spirit, involvement and commitment to help community theatre flourish in their region. NOTE: The award was presented to an individual in the region that hosted that year's Theatre Ontario Festival.