Every year at the Benefit, several notable alumni are recognized for their contributions to the organization or as great ambassadors after their years in CYPT.
Like last year, the award recipients are being announced in advance of the Benefit.
It is with great pleasure that we honor the following:
Mayor John Cranley
2015 CYPT Founder’s Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the success and long term development of Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. Both before and during his tenure in office, Mayor Cranley served as a tireless champion for the Incline Theater Project. His leadership and counsel were invaluable as CLP sought to create a second year-round venue in Price Hill – the first performing arts center built in Cincinnati in over 20 years – setting up the organization for a bright future. Mayor Cranley was also a key advocate for the creation of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts in 2002 during his time on City Council.
Previous honorees: Mark Mueller, Tony Hungler, Steve Papin, Doug Ridenour, Nicola Burgun, Greg Dastillung, Joe Bunke.
Tom McCafferty
2015 Distinguished Alumni Award – Life
Created to recognize the many alumni who make valuable contributions to our community through their volunteerism or occupations outside the arts. Tom graduated West Point Military Academy in 1988 and was commissioned as an Army Infantry officer, where he served mostly in Germany. After leaving the Army in 1994, he moved to Los Angeles and launched a successful career as a writer, actor and director. Earlier this year, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Veterans in Film and Television (VFT), an organization which connects military veterans with entertainment career opportunities.
Previous honorees: Greg Lynch, Sean Tierney, Matt Miller, Tara Tuttle, Molly O’Brien Peters, Laura Grosse Holland.
Steven G. Kennedy
The Matt Gunnels Memorial Award for Distinguished Alumni – Performing Arts
This award recognizes notable achievements in the performing arts after one’s participation in CYPT. Since first appearing in CYPT’s Joseph..Dreamcoat in 1989, Steven has made a substantial impact on the business of the performing arts. Through cutting edge projects such as Inspire Change, Steven has enjoyed introducing arts educators and thousands of under-served young people to the arts. Most recently, Steven has worked with Music Theatre International and iTheatrics, developing a series of show specific choreography DVDs and serves as the Choreography Supervisor working directly with licensing departments at Music Theatre International, Disney Theatrical Group, Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. the Rogers and Hammerstein Organization and Samuel French.
Previous honorees: Richard Oberacker, Allen Kendall, Eric Bricking, Aaron LaVigne, Brandy Rice Bailey, Amy Miller and Matt Wilson.
Reginald Hemphill
Lindsey Mullen
2015 CYPT Hall of Fame Award
Reginald and Lindsey will be inducted into the CYPT Hall of Fame for their outstanding performances during their years with Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre.
Reggie started his CYPT career in 2011’s Crazy for You. He then appeared as Sammy in The Wedding Singer, Roger in Grease, Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose and Duane in Hairspray. Reggie is currently a junior theatre major at Ohio Wesleyan University. After graduation, he would love to return to Cincinnati to grow as an actor and work with different companies within the Tristate area.
Lindsey was involved in her first CYPT production in 2010 as Cosette in Les Misérables. She also performed as a Follies Singer in 2011’s Crazy for You, Julia Sullivan in 2012’s The Wedding Singer, and Marty in 2013’s Grease. Her final production with CYPT was 2014’s Footloose as Vi Moore. Lindsey served as a member of CYPT’s Teen Board in 2013 and 2014. Lindsey is currently in her junior year at Vanderbilt University and is pursuing a major in Mathematics, as well as minors in Voice Performance and Financial Economics. She has plans to return to Cincinnati after finishing school and hopes to be involved in future CLP shows.
Previous honorees: Jan Bruce, Laura Zervic, Doug Berlon, Joe Moeller, Jeni Bayer Schwiers, Tommy Boeing, Emily Berger, Susie Robinson, Kelcey Steele.
Congratulations to the recipients and to all nominated. Join us on December 27 at the Benefit as we honor these deserving individuals in person.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 