Water Works Theatre Company to Receive Royal Oak Community Spirit Award

Royal Oak's own Water Works Theatre Company will be recognized by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce with its distinguished Community Spirit Award on Tuesday, October 20. The award will be accepted by Water Works founder and lifetime Royal Oak resident Edward Nahhat, on behalf of the company's scores of volunteers, during the Chamber's annual Royal Oak Community Awards held at the Emagine Theatre / Star Lanes, 200 North Main Street in Royal Oak.

For fifteen years, the non-profit Water Works Theatre Company has presented Michigan's premiere outdoor professional theater festival, Shakespeare Royal Oak, at Starr-Jaycee Park. Fans have recognized the high quality of its shows and its outdoor youth education programs through increased attendance every year. This year, that same spirit is being honored by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce. The Community Spirit Award is presented to an individual or organization that has made a positive difference or contribution to the community.

"We are honored to be recognized," said Nahhat. "The people of Royal Oak have always appreciated local artists, so to see the crowds gather with their lawn chairs in our corner of the park in July and August makes us all feel we are making a positive difference in our community.

In early spring, local actors audition to become part of Water Works' professional acting troupe. Local artists are also hired to direct, design, build and manage the shows, which this year included the main stage production All's Well That Ends Well and the daylight family show As You Like It, which starred Anna Marck, a Royal Oak High School alumna and a recent graduate of Oakland University's drama department. "Ed Nahhat was my drama director at Royal Oak High School, and I'm thrilled that I had a chance to work with him through Water Works. Last summer I was the Player Queen in Hamlet and this year I was honored to play Rosalind. I was also excited to work with last year's educational programs, KidsAct! and Water Works Academy, each of which ends in a great performance."

On Tuesday October 20, the 68th annual Royal Oak Community Awards, sponsored by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, will take place at Emagine/Star Lanes at 200 N. Main St. Royal Oak beginning at 6:00 pm with dinner at 6:30 pm and the awards presentation at 7:00 pm. The public is invited to attend the awards by purchasing advanced reservations ($45) through the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce at 248-547-4000. The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, October 16.

Since 2001 Water Works has presented Shakespeare Royal Oak and other award-winning productions. Water Works enhances the quality of life in the community by offering Michigan's only outdoor professional Shakespeare event in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park. Water Works' mission is to provide a place to call home for local professional actors, designers, directors, teachers, and other artists in a dynamic collaboration with skilled professional volunteers and other community supporters. Learn more at: www.waterworkstheatre.com.

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