SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

South Coast Repertory founders, David Emmes and Martin Benson (right), receive the Margo Jones Award.

David Emmes and Martin Benson, center, with the Margo Jones Award committee members, Deborah Robison, Alan Woods, Janet Waldo Lee, Nena Couch and Joe Branin

Emmes and Benson, center, with members of the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee families (back row) and the Margo Jones committee (front row)

DAVID EMMES, MARTIN BENSON
RECEIVE MARGO JONES AWARD
By Ann Conway

There were cheers on both sides of the footlights when South Coast Repertory Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson received the prestigious Margo Jones Award on May 1 for demonstrating a significant impact, understanding and affirmation of the craft of playwriting, along with an ongoing commitment to the encouragement of living theater everywhere.

Smiling broadly before applauding community leaders, family and friends as they stood on the Julianne Argyros Stage, they celebrated the honor—a medal presented by Joseph Branin, Director of Libraries, The Ohio State University—by thanking those who had supported their vision. "It's so great to see all of you here!" said Emmes. "It is this great community and staff that has allowed us to have the wonderful success we've had."

The Margo Jones Award commemorates the accomplishments of one of the pioneers of the American professional regional theatre movement. Jones (1912-1955) supported and nurtured new plays at the theater she founded in Dallas in 1947. The pattern she created for developing plays is now a standard method for producing new plays in the living American theater.

"We had a notion to start a theater and Jones laid the groundwork," said Benson. "Regional theater was a unique idea before Margo Jones. You went to New York for theater and, maybe, if you were lucky, a touring production of a successful Broadway play might come to your town. The dream of professional theater throughout the country that Margo Jones pioneered has truly come to pass .... now we are all one ... American theater has become decentralized, and it is evident in all corners of the land."

Hundreds sang the praises of Benson and Emmes as they celebrated the thrilling milestone at a reception on Ela's Terrace following the ceremony. "I'm delighted for them!" said Jean Weiss, chair of SCR's 45th anniversary Gala on Sept. 6, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." "You sometimes forget, because they are so approachable and nice, how very brilliant they are. It was wonderful to be reminded of all of their accomplishments through the years; it was not only heartwarming, but humbling. It makes me very proud to be chairing an event to support this wonderful theater. We are so lucky to have them!"

Observed Julia Argyros: "I am so very proud of Martin and David, and I've been inspired to do more for SCR. Hearing the story of Margo Jones made me think there was more I might do to encourage playwrights. She was a woman of great inspiration, stamina, desire, courage."

Playwright Amy Freed (The Beard of Avon, Freedomland) summed up her feelings for Emmes and Benson in one word: "Fabulous!" "They are simply terrific," she added. "This is a very well-deserved award."

SCR actor Richard Doyle, who celebrates his 45th season with SCR this year, praised Emmes and Benson for their "sensitivity, fairness and leadership." "There just aren't enough kudos in the world for these creative men!" he said.

Susan Jacobs and Laura Bleiberg	Tom Rogers, Larry Higby and George Argyros
Wendy and Martin Benson	Barbara and Tom Peckenpaugh and Stewart and Renee Woodard
Jamie Tucker, Joanne DeNaut and Megan Monaghan	Jean and Tim Weiss
Hisa Takakuwa and Holly Van Holt	Playwrights Lynn Nottage and Lauren Gunderson with director Kate Whoriskey (center)
Celebration!	Billur Wallerich, Catherine Thyen, Dee Higby and Julianne Argyros
MK Steeves and Richard Doyle	Yvonne and Damien Jordan
Olivia Johnson, Wylie Aitken, Jean and Tim Weiss and Bette Aitken	Mark Rucker, Susannah Schulman and Cris Gross
John Glore, Sharon Ott and Richard Doyle	Renee and Stewart Woodard