Center Stage Youth Theatre

RUTLAND RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT

RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR PARKS AND RECREATION

Rutland, VT July 2012— Rutland Recreation & Park Department was recently selected to receive the National Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). NRPA will present the award publicly at a special reception at the association’s 2012 Congress & Exposition in Anaheim, Ca on Wednesday, October 17.

Each year, NRPA National Awards are presented to individuals and agencies across the U.S. to honor their efforts—both professional and personal—in the field of parks and recreation. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants by NRPA’s National Forum Awards Committee, and are chosen for excellence in a variety of topics, including professional and voluntary service, programming, leadership, research and public outreach.

The award was given to the department based on the success of the Rutland Youth Theatre program which is run through Rutland Recreation & Parks Department. Rutland Youth Theatre was started in the Fall of 2002 with workshops run by Susan (Baker) Scaccia. The first stage performance was Romeo & Juliet in the fall of 2003. By 2007 the program was running four performances a year and summer camps providing year round theatre programming for youth in the Rutland area from kindergarten through high school. Saskia Hagen Groom is the current director for RYT and has expanded the program to include a fall play. Rutland Youth Theatre provides a safe, accepting community in which youth thrive in the tradition of theatre arts.

EJay Bishop, Superintendent notes that “the receipt of the Dorothy Mullen Arts & Humanities Award is made possible by the tremendous dedication of our director Saskia Hagen Groom, professional guidance, management and passion provided by our Recreation Director Cindi Wight, the parents and community members who continually give of their time and our local businesses who through sponsorships contribute the resources needed to maintain this quality program. Starting with Susan and continuing with Saskia we have had the necessary leadership to provide a wonderful opportunity for the children in our community and we look forward to a long and continued success.”

“NRPA is pleased to honor our nation’s park and recreation heroes—agencies and individuals who work tirelessly and with passion to improve the lives of their citizens and make their communities great,” said Barbara Tulipane, CEO of NRPA.

Rutland Youth Theatre will be holding auditions for the fall production of the Jungle Book on Sunday 8/26/12 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Monday 8/27/12 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Godnick Adult Center. Performances are October 19 and 20 at Rutland Intermediate School. We are excited to bring back Annie which will be performed December 14 & 15 at the Paramount Theatre including a youth orchestra. Auditions will be held 10/14/12 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and 10/15/12 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Godnick Adult Center.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens,

NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication,

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