Schedule of events
5 p.m. – Dinner and socializing
6 p.m. – Welcome, Matt Grimes
- Acknowledgement of picnic committee
- Introduction of new board members
In Memoriam, Jeanne Drone
- Greg Carter
- Ray Clark
- Roz Highfill
- Lyn Sullivan Pewitt
- Madelyn Gayle Webster
Award presentations
Special Awards, presented by Chelsea Craig and Sarah Kieffner
- “Ghost Light Award” – presented to Iain Macpherson
- “Most Patient Director Award” – presented to Tom Gregg
Newcomer of the Year, presented by Vicky Stiles
Recipient: Megan Roberts
Behind the Scenes, presented by Dan Kassis
Recipient: Mike Tindor, QwikHost
Friend of Pull-Tight, presented by Pat Street
Recipient: Mike Kelly
Techie of the Year, presented by Beth Woodruff
Recipient: Savannah Aiello
Cam Davis Spirit Award, presented by Matt Grimes
Recipient: Lenny West
Player of the Year, presented by Melanie McBurney
Winner: Matt Grimes
Hall of Fame, presented by Jeremy Hargis
Winner: Bill Jones
Closing remarks, Matt Grimes
Thanks and acknowledgements
| kNOT Picnic Committee: | Chelsea Craig, Matt Grimes, Sarah Kieffner, Dan Kassis, Beth Woodruff |
| Special appearances by: | Chelsea Craig, Dustin Greenleaf, JK Gregg, Jon Kieffner, Sarah Kieffner, JT Landry, Lenny West, Beth Woodruff |
| Special thanks to: | Bacon & Caviar Catering, Williamson County Parks & Recreation, Cindy Davis Massey, Andrea Webster, Pat Evans, Savannah Aiello, Allison Bender, Woody Woodruff |
In memoriam
Greg Carter
One rarely saw Greg Carter at the theatre unless you happened to stop by during set construction or strike. He was one of the three Amigos, which included Greg, John Kitson, and Frank Vestal. These men built most of the sets in the 1990s. Greg’s talent as a set construction chief and builder will always be appreciated and remembered with such sets as On Golden Pond, Anastasia, and Celebrate 100 Years of Music. Later when Greg could no longer build sets, he painted them, giving it the “Carter Touch”.
Greg did have one onstage role in The King and I. The story goes that Greg accompanied his wife Helen to the auditions to offer his support. Cathie Stamps was directing, and when she saw the lack of men auditioning, she walked through the seating area advising all the men in attendance that she was casting them. When the show closed, he turned to Helen and said, “Never again”. Anyone who knew Greg, knows that he wasn’t the “onstage type”. He was true to his word and never walked the boards again.
Here’s to you Greg. We are truly thankful for all the beauty you brought to our stage.
Ray Clark
Ray enjoyed being part of the Pull-Tight theater community for many years, the camaraderie and time spent putting many shows together building sets with hammers and nails, screw drivers and power saws, wood, paint, and collective artistic talents. Most often Ray worked on shows with his wife, Marianne. Ray highly valued his friends and colleagues at Pull-Tight. Such fond memories!
Our mother and Ray participated in many show productions together and enjoyed the lasting friendships with crew and cast members, hosting cast parties, building the sets to “set the stage,” and tearing down sets once the shows were over.
Roz Highfill
Roz was known for her antics. She was not above putting on her bunny ears, making a “bass drum,,” and marching across the stage as the Energizer bunny when rehearsals ran too long. She was also known to don her air brushed bikini swimsuit coverup and jog across the stage with the nurses at a rehearsal for Pull-Tight’s first production of South Pacific. During a performance night of Play On, the telephone in the lobby rang. Roz very calmly waited until the director, Daryle Tallent dove for the phone to pick it up and simultaneously picked up the phone on stage and began a silent conversation. It was one of her finer moments.
Roz wore many hats over the years. She was a prolific producer. Her organizational skills kept everyone in line and on time. For many productions she was either stage manager, property mistress, or door coordinator. She and her husband Jim were permanent fixtures in the early days, and Roz continued to be a loyal patron after she could no longer volunteer.
She was a true “Pull Tighter.” Her contributions will long be remembered by many.
Lyn Sullivan Pewitt
At the beginning of Pull-Tight in 1968, Lyn Sullivan was one of the founding mothers and was involved in all areas of development. She and her husband, Russel, lived on a farm where they raised their four children. Most of the family performed, worked backstage, and built sets. Between shows, props were stored in their barn, which was located where we now have the residential development, Sullivan Farms.
Lyn was a talented actress and loved performing. Some of her more memorable roles included Miss Stephanie in To Kill a Mockingbird, Sybil in Count Dracula, and Jeanette in Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers. The first show that Pull-Tight ever staged was Our Town in 1968. Lyn was cast as Mrs. Soames. When the same show opened the theatre’s Tenth Anniversary season, she was cast as Mrs. Webb.
Lyn was a past president of Pull-Tight, a winner of the Pull-Tight Player of the Year award ,and was elected as our first-ever Lifetime Board Member.
Lyn’s daughter, Dr Kate Sullivan Watkins, shares some words about her mother:
“As the daughter of Lyn S. Pewitt, I can confirm that her love of theatre brought life to Momma. She accomplished mundane tasks while singing songs from musical productions, and a well-timed line from a former character often made its way into her conversations. She invited all her children and her husband, Russel, to join her in productions with Pull-Tight, and we too found a family on the stage. Momma’s ability to entertain an audience, while delighting her own soul, taught us to find our passions and make a difference while pursuing them. Through her we discovered that, ‘All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.'”
