WOW!

Even as I sit here at the computer a whole two days later, I am still in shock and disbelief!  I have dreamed of this for many years but always put others on that pedestal because they were “more deserving” than I was.  I always go into these kinds of things really wanting and wishing and hoping but don’t usually end up having the dream come true!   I suppose you are all wondering what in the world I am talking about, huh?  Well I have every intention of explaining it to you so just sit tight.

As some of you know, or for those of you that don’t, I am heavily involved in a Community Theater Group in my town.  The Kirk Players are near and dear to my heart for umpteen million reasons, too many to list here, you can check them out at their website if you click their name. Anyway every year we have a banquet to celebrate a wonderful season, there are awards too, and gear up for the upcoming.  Well obviously if you couldn’t tell already the banquet was this past Saturday.  My husband and I got all dressed up for an evening that was sure to be exciting as I had a feeling that he was going to win an award and I was at least nominated for one.  The first shock of the evening came when the service awards were handed out and one person was receiving their A.C.T. award.  A.C.T. stands for Artist in Community Theater and is earned after ten years of service and at least 20 acting assignments or Tech crew head.  As they were reading the list of shows and assignments the person had done, it became increasingly obvious that it was myself they were talking about.  Now the reason I was shocked is that my Anniversary with the group isn’t until the beginning of September, but since the season doesn’t technically end until Mid-September I was eligible to receive it. 

I was truly honored to have reached this milestone; I love what I do when it comes to theater and this group, whether it is on stage, back stage or on the board of directors.  There is a great sense of family within this group, which is why most people are drawn to it!  So then came the scary part, I actually had to give a speech when I received the award. I hate speeches in front of people, I know for an actor that is shocking to hear, but I do!  I managed to say a few words and avoided saying anything dumb or embarrassing!  Once it was over I was slightly relieved to go sit back down and enjoy the rest of the awards as the award I was nominated for is generally presented dead last at the ceremony!  The rest of the awards went well; we did have a Christine Lahti incident in which one of the actresses who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress was in the bathroom when her name was called as the winner!  She gracefully accepted it as she returned and it made for a good laugh!

As the awards went on, it came time for the award that I was almost sure my husband was going to win.  We have an award named after our Founder’s wife.  The purpose of the award is to honor those who are not Kirk Players and contributed significantly throughout the season.  My husband had done this as he participated in all four shows this past season in major parts as the lighting technician.  He had done so much that this summer he was officially offered membership, which he accepted.  Well it turned out that he was the winner and he was surprised and of course humbly accepted it. 

Once the main part of the awards was over and we had gone on to introduce the new season, it was finally time for the last award of the evening.  It is the most prestigious award for someone to receive as it is the Hazen Most Valuable Player Award.  It is named after two former players who were extremely involved in the group years ago, so much so they had an award named after them obviously!  Anyway there were four nominees including myself.  I truly was honored just to be nominated in this category as it takes some truly special people, a truly special amount of heart and soul to deserve to be nominated for this.  The list of nominees was read and I was sitting on pins and needles waiting for the winner to be announced.

…And the winner is… Jenny Tomlin!  I was completely shocked and just in awe that my name had actually been called.  I think I even got a standing ovation while I walked up to the podium.  My high school theater teacher, who happens to be the founder’s son, was the presenter of the award and once I got up there he just hugged me tight and I hugged him back just as fiercely.  Winning this award meant so much to me that I can’t even be sure I can do justice to my feelings here.  I was standing up there and my hands were shaking so much I had to put the award down on the podium!  I feel truly blessed to be so greatly honored within this group with such a prestigious award.  I honestly didn’t think I would win, as I said in my speech, the part I do remember, everyone who was nominated deserved it just as much as I did.  Once I got through the speech, and the hugs from everyone on the way back to my table, I sat down with so many emotions running around in my head I was in another world.  I had dreamed of winning this award for sooooooo long and had different scenario’s run through my head on what I’d say if I won, if I would take the Sally Field approach of “You Like Me! You Really Like Me!”  Or if I’d get up there and not be able to say a word because I’d be crying!  In the end I was pretty level headed while I was up there, or at least it appeared that way on the outside because on the inside I was a mess!!

It was the perfect way to end the evening in my opinion and I am still reeling from it!  This month has been quite a month for sure.  Doing many things that I never thought I would and having things I never thought would happen, happen to me!  I can’t even describe how all of these events, the bike-a-thon, the awards, and just things in general are making me feel, but it is incredible!