Charley Awards

Our annual volunteer appreciation night

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 celebration



Recognizing our dedicated volunteers

Each year we recognize our volunteers who contribute 350 hours or more at our annual volunteer celebration - known as the Charley Awards. The volunteer who gives the most hours to TL in a season is honored as our volunteer of the year.

Theatre Lawrence would not be here without our amazing volunteers.

Group of people wearing medals posing for a photo in front of a stage with a colorful banner.
Man wearing a medal stands smiling in front of a Lawrence backdrop

More 2026 Volunteer Recognition

  • Front Runners

    Celebrating volunteers who worked front-of-house (usher, box office, bar) for at least three of the six regular season productions.

    • Karen Bayouth
    • Taylor Cole
    • Janna Davis
    • Ligia Galaraza
    • Erica Henderson
    • Cynthia Meyer
    • Pam Mooney
    • Paula Nigh
    • Bob Riedel
    • Beth Rundquist
    • Debbie Sack
    • Tom Sack
    • Nobuyuki Tsuchiya
    • Shirly Unekis

  • Triple Threat Award

    Celebrating those who acted, volunteered more than 10 hours on a production crew, and volunteered front of house for three events.

    • Pam Becker
    • Mario Bonilla
    • Beth Dearinger
    • Ellen Deneault
    • Chris Drahozal
    • Shelby Easum
    • Tom Emerson, Jr
    • Steve Fendt
    • Jeff Mueller
    • Emily Pons
    • Beth Rundquist
    • Brian Williams

About the Charley Awards

The Charley Awards are named after two remarkable individuals who left an unforgettable legacy: Charley Oldfather and Charles Lown.


Charley Oldfather was not only a respected professor of law at KU and the university’s attorney at one point, but he was also a man who truly loved the arts. His talent as an actor graced both film and stage, and alongside his wife, Tincey, they became two of the theatre’s most beloved supporters. It’s why our lobby bears their name—the Tincey Oldfather Lobby—a testament to their enduring commitment to Theatre Lawrence.

 

Charles Lown was a former master drill sergeant in the Marines who also earned a Ph.D. in technical theater at the University of Kansas. He was known for his no-nonsense, rigorous approach to teaching, ensuring that his students learned the craft with precision and discipline. After his retirement, he revealed a softer side, becoming our Technical Director here at Theatre Lawrence, a role he filled with the same passion and dedication—but as a volunteer.

 

Charley Oldfather and Charles Lown embodied two vital aspects of theater—the creative and the technical. They shared not just a deep love for the theater, which they communicated to everyone they encountered, but also, and perhaps just as importantly, a great love for ice-cold martinis.


Volunteer Hall of Fame

Many of our volunteers make a lasting impact on TL over several years. When someone has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year three times they earn a well deserved spot in our Volunteer Hall of Fame. We applaud these individuals whose volunteer service with TL has gone above and beyond! The Hall of Fame is now displayed for the public to see in the upper lobby!

Jack Riegle

2008

Mary Ann Saunders

2008

Jerry Foree

2015

Jim Ballinger

2015

Marilyn Brobst

2017

Bob Newton

2022