Owen Sound Little Theatre is pleased to announce that two students will receive the 2017 David Leslie Award.
The award was launched by Owen Sound Little Theatre in 2011 in memory of David Leslie, a classically-trained actor from Scotland who joined OSLT in the 1980s. This year the award is being given to two talented students – Gillian Hallman and Abigail Woodhouse – who are both pursuing post-secondary training in theatre arts. Each student will receive $200 to put toward their education expenses.
Gillian Hallman, a graduate of Georgian Bay Community School in Meaford, has been involved in theatre since she was seven years old, and by the age of 12 knew she wanted to pursue a career in the performing arts. Gillian has performed in many productions, including OSLT's The Sound of Music; she also takes acting and voice lessons, including having received instruction in Toronto. This fall Gillian will attend George Brown College where she will study theatre.
Abigail Woodhouse, a graduate of St. Mary's High School in Owen Sound, will attend Sheridan College this fall as a student of the Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance program. Abigail has been involved in the OSLT productions of Carousel and White Christmas, as well as many other productions in the area. She has also attended Stratford's summer Shakespeare School in Theatre Performance.
Both Gillian and Abigail have also studied under Christy Taylor, who has for a decade led theatre programs at The Roxy Theatre, among other professional acting and voice credentials.
Christy is David Leslie's daughter and OSLT is thrilled to have her involved in the organization in which her father dedicated so much of his time, energy and influence. Many will remember David Leslie from the productions: Oliver, I Never Sang for my Father, The Runner Stumbles, Bethune and On Golden Pond, among others. In 1985, David won the Western Ontario Drama League's Best Director Award for Waiting for the Parade. In 1989, he won Theatre Ontario's Best Actor award for Talley's Folley.
David brought a wealth of experience and professionalism to the organization, and is remembered with great respect; it is said that one of his greatest contributions to OSLT was the modest example he set teaching and fostering excellence while he worked.
Funding for this award was received from donations in his memory from his family and friends and members of OSLT. To qualify for the David Leslie Award, applicants must be pursuing post-secondary studies in the performing arts. Applications are received annually every spring and reviewed by an OSLT committee. This year the committee felt that both Gillian and Abigail were deserving of the award. OSLT, which owns and operates The Roxy Theatre, is proud to support children's theatre and students who are pursing performing arts as a career.
Interested individuals can find more information regarding this award at this link.