September 30, 2004

ASOLO MANAGING DIRECTOR HONORED WITH AWARD

Florida Professional Theatre Association presents Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Managing Director, with Richard G. Fallon Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre

Sarasota, FL – The Florida Professional Theatres Association (FPTA) recently honored Linda DiGabriele, the managing director of the Asolo Theatre Company, by awarding her the prestigious Richard G. Fallon Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre*. The award recognizes theatre professionals for outstanding lifetime achievements toward the advancement of professional theatre in Florida. The ceremony took place recently at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida at an annual FPTA gathering of professional actors and theatre companies.

FPTA Executive Director, Sherron Long, said, “Linda DiGabriele certainly deserves this year's annual award. She has dedicated over 30 years to the advancement of professional theatre in our state. Congratulations, Linda!”

Howard Millman, producing artistic director of the Asolo Theatre Company, was called upon to present the award to Linda DiGabriele at the ceremony on behalf of Richard G. Fallon, who was unable to attend due to illness, and the FPTA.

As part of the presentation, Mr. Millman said: “I can think of no greater honor than to present Linda with the FPTA’s Richard G. Fallon Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre. We go back to 1973 when I hired Linda as an assistant in marketing for the Asolo theatre. She then proceeded to manage the Asolo touring programs, which at one time had four companies out on the road at the same time. When I returned to the Asolo in 1995, she had become its managing director. What a joy. I have never in all my years of running a company had a better partnership or relationship. It is a pleasure coming to work every day knowing she is there. She is a remarkable manager and human being, and I can think of no one better to receive this justly earned award.”

The Florida Professional Theatres Association (FPTA) is a statewide, not-for-profit service organization of professional theatre, entertainment, and production companies, as well as individual theatre professionals.

* The Richard G. Fallon Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre was established by the FPTA in 1986. The first award was presented to Mr. Fallon for his vision, leadership, tenacity, and his undying passion for advancing professional theatre in our state. Fallon co-founded the Asolo Theatre Company in Sarasota in 1960 and served as its executive director for 27 years. He created the State Theatre Program in 1965, founded the Department of Theatre in 1969 and the School of Theatre in 1973 at Florida State University, and established the FSU/Asolo Conservatory in 1973; previously headed theatre programs at Maryland State and Hartwick Colleges; and with the MacArthur Center, founded the Drama Heritage Series producing End of Summer with the late Helen Hayes for national television and educational use. Formerly a professional radio, stage and film actor, who trained at London’s Old Vic, he is an acknowledged leader in both educational and professional theatre circles and the recipient of many prestigious awards. (For more about the FPTA, go to www.fpta.net)

#####

The Asolo is funded in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State, The Florida Arts Council, the City and County of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Sarasota Arts Council. The Asolo Theatre Company’s Shakespeare productions are sponsored in part by Shakespeare in American Communities, a national theater initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Sallie Mae Fund in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Additional funding is also received through the efforts of support groups including the Asolo Angel Association, the Asolo Theatre Guild, The Directors Emeritus and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.