Black Oak Casino Resort And Sonora Area Foundation Receive Inaugural Presidents' Award From Sierra Rep

Sierra Repertory Theatre is proud to announce the recipients of the 2018 SRT Presidents' Award. The award was created this year to honor selected members of our Business Community whose contributions to SRT through the years have been immensely impactful.

The SRT Presidents' Awards Dinner took place on Tuesday, July 31 at the Annex at East Sonora. The event was hosted by Jan Verhage and Bill Green, current and former (respectively) SRT Board Presidents. Those in attendance were SRT supporters who have contributed, as individual donors, at least $10,000 to SRT over the last 4.5 years.

Two local businesses were named as the recipients of the inaugural SRT Presidents' Award, starting with Black Oak Casino Resort. Ron Patel and Aaron Moss, former CEO and current General Manager (respectively) of Black Oak Casino Resort received the award on Tuesday. "Our partnership with Black Oak Casino Resort goes back many years. For more than a decade they have been our lead show sponsor, and we are reminded of their support each and every time we come to the theatre," said Bill Green.

The next recipient was Sonora Area Foundation. "Our records show that the Sonora Area Foundation has been supporting SRT for more than twenty years with gifts totaling nearly $400,000," said Jan Verhage. "It has been clear, through the years, that Sonora Area Foundation understands the importance that "the arts" plays in our region: bringing business to the area, strengthening the fabric of the community, and bringing joy to those who attend our performances. For that we are grateful." Verhage presented the award to Sonora Area Foundation Executive Director, Darrell Slocum.

The theatre also recognized Phil Reiss with the Motivator Award, to recognize the essential role he plays in motivating the Board (and others) to make contributions to SRT. Former Board President, Bill Green, was also recognized for his leadership in making contributions to the Theatre.

Closing remarks were made by SRT's Producing Artistic Director, Scott Viets, and Managing Director, Becky Saunders. The event fell on the one-year anniversary of Viets and Saunders assuming their current leadership positions from SRT co-founders, Dennis and Sara Jones. The two shared their personal thanks to the donors present on Tuesday night and gave a brief state-of-the-theatre presentation, citing that theatre attendance has risen in the last seven months by some 6,000 patrons. The theatre has currently completed four of the nine productions scheduled for their 2018 season of plays and musicals.

For more information about Sierra Repertory Theatre's donation and individual giving programs, contact Margaret Lawrence, Director of Theatre Development, at (209) 532-0502, ext. 111, or mlawrence@sierrarep.org.

Sierra Repertory Theatre is a professional non-profit theater located in California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills. Since 1980, Sierra Rep has focused on its original mission: to present audiences with a broad range of theatrical literature at the highest production quality possible; to pay artists and staff a living wage and to make a vibrant contribution to our community's economy, culture and spirit. Sierra Repertory Theatre is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information about Sierra Repertory Theatre and upcoming shows, please visit www.SierraRep.org or call the box office at (209) 532-3120. Follow Sierra Repertory Theatre on Instagram at @SierraRep; and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SierraRep.

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