Maggie Bassett Award
The Maggie Bassett Award is presented annually by Theatre Ontario to an individual who, over a number of years, has made a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario.
The four main criteria for the award are:
- A significant contribution – the recipient's impact is measurable provincially (or beyond);
- A sustained contribution – the recipient should have a proven body of work and/or have made a continuous effort over a period of years (more than five);
- An unselfish contribution – recipient's history should encompass work and activity both paid and voluntary;
- Involvement – recipient should have been involved in more than one area of theatre (professional, community, educational.)
As Theatre Ontario's first employee, the late Maggie Bassett created a solid foundation for the organization by launching the Professional Theatre Training Program, Summer Courses, and the newsletter. Her love for the arts held no barriers between community, professional or educational theatre. Maggie was also a fine director and actress and performed at Tarragon Theatre, Huron County Playhouse, and at the Alumnae Theatre. For many years, she attended all regional festivals. She was known for her warmth, humour, sparkle and the sincere encouragement she bestowed on those around her. This award is for dedication to theatre beyond the call of duty.
The award is a stunning bronze statuette entitled "COURAGE", designed by Rita Tuckett and sculpted by Ronald Thom.
Past recipients of the award are Ken Watts, Elsie Thomson, Jean Roberts, Herbert Whittaker, Heather McCallum, Herman Voaden, Dennis Sweeting, Jack Medhurst, Jack Blacklock, Sandy Black, Patricia Beharriell, Wilf Pegg, Virginia Reh, Lib Spry, Wayne Fairhead, Richard Howard, Dusty Miller, Kay McKie, Beth McMaster, Sandra Tulloch, Jeff Burke, James Alexander, Ron Cameron-Lewis, Angela Rebeiro, Kim Renders, Yvette Nolan, Alex Mustakas and Don Fleckser.
The 2011 Maggie Bassett Award was awarded to Diana Belshaw
Download a PDF copy of the nomination criteria
Download a PDF copy of the nomination form
Call for nominations for the 2012 award: January 2, 2012.
Deadline for nominations for the 2012 award: February 29, 2012.
For more information about the Maggie Bassett Award, contact Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator, at brandon@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.15
Discuss the Maggie Bassett Award on the Theatre Ontario Blog