The past year was good for me. I had vacation times with my children, a writer’s retreat, published a book of essays, and appeared as Mrs. Dubose in To Kill a Mockingbird.
One particular highlight came in the fall at the Archie Awards at Center on the Square Theater. But let me give you a little backstory.
When I was 15 years old, I saw Annie Get Your Gun at the Dallas Summer Musicals. A quick 50 years later, I played a social matron in a production of that play in Madison, Tennessee.
I had long been smitten with live theater, and thoroughly convinced that “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
In 2000, shortly after I retired and moved to Arkansas, I attended open auditions at Center On the Square Theater in Searcy. I landed a part as the mother-in-law in Moon Over Buffalo. Thus began my career onstage . . . type-cast as a little old lady.
Sometimes I was a sweet little old lady — as in The Homecoming, God’s Favorite, The Miracle Worker, The Cemetery Club, and It’s a Wonderful Life.
Sometimes not so sweet — as in Lost in Yonkers or To Kill a Mockingbird.
Often I had a smart mouth — Bull in a China Shop, Moon Over Buffalo and The Women.
And a few times I had either scattered my marbles or lost them completely — The Dining Room, No, Not Really, I’m Herbert, and Leading Ladies.
Though it’s not my specialty, sometimes I spoke with an other-than-Southern accent — Lost In Yonkers, I Hate Hamlet, and Hocus Pocus.
The past 15 years have been a tremendous amount of fun. As I said, I love live theater, whether I’m on stage, back stage, or in the audience.
In October, at The Archies Award Night, I received a life-time achievement award . . . the first the committee has ever awarded. “. . . to someone who has dedicated the majority of (her) life to the arts. This is someone who has been in more shows than you can count. . .”
Actually, I can count them . . . twenty since 2001. And next time Center on the Square produces a play featuring a little old lady . . . who knows, maybe I’ll be there again.
My GOODNESS! I knew you were an actress, but so many characters in so many plays. No wonder you write such good novels. I’m glad to be in your company, your troupe, of friends. Bravo!
Congratulations, Dorothy! You have so many talents. You absolutely amaze me!
That’s wonderful that you have done so much in so little time! Kudos to you for your achievements!!
Once again, congratulations on that Lifetime Achievement Award. I love it that you follow your passion at a stage of life some would consider too late to start such an endeavor. I wish I had seen everyone of those plays. Well done!
Once again, I’d like to say Congratulations on that “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Center on the Square. I hope you perform in another great play, and, for sure, I want to be there!
This is awesome! So proud of you, Grandma!