Long time leader of the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival (NCShakes), Pedro Silva was surprised today with a certificate of induction into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, conferred by Governor Pat McCrory, presented by High Point community leader and long time NCShakes supporter, Chris Greene.
Silva, dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge, completed a presentation highlighting NCShakes' upcoming December 20 and 22 performances of "A Christmas Carol Unplugged" at today's noon High Point Rotary Club meeting at High Point Country Club at Emerywood. He was asked to remain at the podium and was surprised with presentation of the prestigious award.
"Administered since 1963 by The Long Leaf Pine Society, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to honor persons who have a proven record of service to The State of North Carolina. Among the honors and awards the Governor of North Carolina can bestow, none is more valued than The Order of the Long Leaf Pine," from the Society's description. The certificate acknowledges the "integrity, learning and zeal" of its recipients.
Pedro Silva joined
The Acting Company of High Point's NCShakes in its premiere season in 1977, performing Vincentio in "The Taming of the Shrew," Master Simon in "The Miser," Bishop Ely and Fluellen in "Henry V." He recalls arriving from Boston by train to join the new professional theatre company founded by
Mark Woods and Stuart Brooks, to perform at the High Point Theatre which had just opened the year before. The company's success caused Silva to remain, eventually becoming assistant managing director, and managing director as of 1983. He continued to act, also to direct, for several years known in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the company's original stage adaptation of
Charles Dickens' story, and for many years following directing that annual production. Silva is also credited with beginning the significant and still expanding Outreach and Education Program that he established in 1978 with a statewide school tour program now known as NCShakes' Shakespeare To Go.
While the company's Outreach and Education program continues to provide Shakespeare To Go, Youth Theatre, Summer Camp and Hands-On Shakespeare teacher workshops, NCShakes is currently conducting a fundraising campaign which will determine its future. Performances of "A Christmas Carol Unplugged" on December 20 at 7:30pm and December 22 at 2:00pm at High Point Theatre are billed as Pay All You Can fundraiser
S. Silva directs and performs the role of Scrooge in both shows, including familiar cast members donating their performances of the text and the music of NCShakes' beloved stage adaptation.
For additional information about current programming and funding support for NCShakes call 336-841-2273 or visit
www.ncshakes.org.
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