CITT Award Winners Announced

The Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology (CITT) recognized four individuals and one corporation with the 4th Annual CITT Awards presented during the 10th annual CITT conference and trade show earlier this month in Ottawa. These awards are designed to honor individuals or companies from a wide spectrum of the Canadian live performance community.

The Dieter Penzhorn Memorial Award was presented to Robert Eberle, who has been a teacher in the Theatre Program at the University of British Columbia for the past 10 years and has just served for two years as the chair of the program. This award is presented to an individual who has provided significant and sustained service to the CITT while playing an active role in the development of the greater Canadian cultural community.

The Professional Achievement Award was presented to Susan Benson, who has been creating costume and set designs in Canada since 1966. She has designed over 25 productions for the Stratford Festival and was head of design for artistic director John Hirsch. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of long-standing career achievement in a technical or related discipline within the Canadian cultural industries community.

The Education Achievement Award was presented to Michael Eagan, who was the director of scenography at the National Theatre School of Canada, where he taught design from 1987 to 1998. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of long-standing career achievement as an educator, engaged in the teaching of a technical or related discipline, preparing students for work with the Canadian cultural industries community.

The Supplier Achievement Award was presented to William F. White Ltd, a fully Canadian owned and operated firm which has been serving the entertainment industry in Canada since 1963. Its excellence of service throughout Canada is appreciated and recognized in this award. This award is presented to an individual or corporate entity that has shown sustained commitment to providing excellent service or product to the in recognition of long-standing career achievement Canadian cultural industries community.

The Honorary Membership was presented to Chuck Childs, the general manager of Centaur Theatre Company in Montreal. Childs also has an ongoing involvement with the Quebec Drama Federation. This award is presented to an individual or organization not actively involved in the technical disciplines of the Canadian cultural industries community but who, by virtue of their position within the greater community, through influence, philosophy, or decision-making has contributed significantly to the development if technical disciplines within Canada, or has shown themselves to be a long-standing friend of the Institute.

A sixth award, for Technical Merit, was not awarded for 2001.