Awards and Scholarships
SETC honors theatre practitioners of all levels through a variety of prestigious awards. From celebrating young scholars to recognizing lifetime achievement in theatre, SETC’s awards take many forms and serve to distinguish a diverse range of theatre artists. The nominations period for most awards is May 1st–September 15th annually.
Awards
Notable Organization Awards
Suzanne M. Davis Memorial Award
The Suzanne M. Davis Memorial Award was established to honor one SETC member each year for distinguished service to SETC over a number of years and is presented during the annual SETC Convention awards banquet. Administration of this award is assigned to the Nominations Committee, with the final choice made by vote of the Board of Directors.
The awardee receives:
An engraved plaque
Recognition in SETC publications.
If you would like more information about this award and the selection process, please contact us.
Contact info@setc.org for informationPast recipients of the Suzanne M. Davis Award
2024 | Marci Duncan |
2023 | Maegan McNerney Azar |
2022 | Tiza Garland |
2021 | Michael P. Howley |
2020 | Jerf Friedenberg |
2019 | Esthere Strom |
2018 | Betsey Horth |
2017 | Ron Keller |
2016 | Dean Slusser |
2015 | Alan Litsey |
2014 | David Thompson |
2013 | Stephen Bayless |
2012 | Bob Ankrom |
2011 | Denise Halbach |
2010 | Dennis Wemm |
2009 | Donna White |
2008 | Mike Murphy |
2007 | Joe Filippo |
2006 | Jack Benjamin |
2005 | Victoria Pennington |
2004 | Ward Haarbauer |
2003 | Mark J. Malinauskas |
2002 | Susan Cole |
2001 | David Wohl |
2000 | Clifton Egan |
1999 | William E. Wilson |
1998 | Donald Wolfe |
1997 | Thomas Stephens |
1996 | Gerald Ray Horne |
1995 | Frank Mohler |
1994 | H. Jefferson Corbin |
1993 | Richard Newdick |
1992 | Scott Parker |
1991 | Donald Drapeau |
1990 | Hazel Hall |
1989 | Dicki Farrar |
1988 | Donald Loeffler |
1987 | Arthur Greene |
1986 | Dorothy Schwartz |
1985 | Robert Knowles |
1984 | David Weiss |
1983 | Alvin Cohen |
1982 | Allen Bales |
1981 | Richard Fallon |
1980 | Delmar Solem |
1979 | Robroy Farquhar |
1978 | Mark Sumner |
1977 | Albert Johnson |
1976 | Philip Hill |
1975 | Herman Middleton |
1974 | Marian Smith |
1973 | Ann Hill |
1972 | Roger Boyle |
1971 | Randolph Edmonds |
1970 | Marian Galloway |
1969 | Harry Davis |
1968 | Leighton Ballew |
1967 | Bob Porterfield |
1966 | Paul Green |
1965 | Sara Spencer |
Hall of Fame
Established by SETC in 2015, the Southeastern Theatre Conference Hall of Fame recognizes persons, living or deceased, who have made major contributions to the organization. These contributions may be administrative, artistic, and/or financial and have made a significant impact on SETC’s success over a sustained period of time. The Hall of Fame commemorates their achievements and celebrates their meaningful contributions to the organization.
The awardees receive:
Convention fee waiver.
Acknowledgement at the Saturday evening Gala
Award Plaque
Acknowledgement in an SETC publication
Nominations are accepted from May 1st - September 15th annually.
Nomination formPast recipients of Hall of Fame Award
2025 | Kris Geddie |
2025 | Keith T. Martin |
2025 | Shannon Robert |
2024 | Adanma Barton |
2024 | Jeff Gibson |
2024 | Dr. Edmond “Ed” Williams |
2023 | John Spiegel |
2023 | Deanna Thompson |
2023 | Tom Booth |
2022 | Quiana Clark-Roland |
2022 | Connie Smith |
2022 | Ward Haarbauer |
2021 | Barbara Dare Hartwig |
2021 | Chad McDonald |
2021 | Dr. Philip G. Hill |
2020 | Jack Benjamin |
2020 | Vivian & Larry Snipes |
2020 | David Wohl |
2019 | Betsey Horth |
2019 | Chip Egan |
2019 | Jose Simbulan |
2018 | Don Creason |
2018 | N. Bennett East |
2018 | April J’Callahan Marshall |
2018 | Jonathan R. Michaelsen |
2018 | Julie A. Richardson |
Distinguished Career Award
Distinguished Career Award is the highest award bestowed by SETC and is established to honor one individual or artistic team each year who has a distinguished career in the theatre. The recipient is requested to speak at the annual SETC Convention as a keynote address, and to accept the award during the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony.
Administration of this award is assigned to the Executive Committee in collaboration with the Executive Director. SETC members are invited to make suggestion for consideration. Email VPservices@setc.org to submit your recommendation(s) for this award.
The awardee receives:
Honorarium of $1,500
First-class air travel and hotel accommodations
Registration waiver
Per diem for dining and incidentals.
Honored Saturday Keynote Speaker
Acknowledgement and plaque presented at the closing Awards Gala
Suggestions are accepted from May 1st - September 15th annually.
Contact VPServices@setc.org to submit recommendationPast recipients of the Distinguished Career Award
2025 | Andre De Shields |
2024 | S. Epatha Merkerson |
2023 | Carlton & Barbara Molette |
2022 | Norm Lewis |
2021 | Rosemary Harris |
2020 | NC Black Repertory Company |
2019 | Muriel Miguel |
2018 | Jane Greenwood |
2017 | Oskar Eustis |
2016 | Pearl Cleage |
2015 | Ben Vereen |
2014 | Terrence Mann |
2013 | Ken Ludwig |
2012 | Tony Walton & Richard Pilbrow |
2011 | Ben Cameron |
2010 | Judith Malina |
2009 | Eugene Lee |
2008 | Alliance Theatre of Atlanta |
2007 | Marsha Norman |
2006 | Anne Bogart |
2005 | Dixie Carter |
2004 | Christopher Durang |
2003 | Michael Kahn |
2002 | William Ivey Long |
2001 | Edward Albee |
2000 | Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt |
1999 | Ming Cho Lee |
1998 | Tharon Musser |
1997 | Stephen Schwartz |
1996 | Jon Jory |
1995 | (no award presented) |
1994 | Julie Harris |
1993 | Charles Strouse |
1992 | Jose Quintero |
1991 | Arthur Lessac |
1990 | Jerome Lawrence |
1989 | Zoe Caldwell |
1988 | Lloyd Richards |
1987 | Norris Houghton |
1986 | Ben Edwards |
1985 | Patricia Zipprodt |
1984 | Zelda Fichandler |
1983 | Mercedes McCambridge |
1982 | Mildred Dunnock |
1981 | Jose Ferrar |
1980 | Ellen Stewart |
1979 | John Houseman |
1978 | Josh Logan |
1977 | Lillian Hellman |
1976 | Melvin Douglas |
1975 | (no award presented) |
1974 | Ossie Davis |
1973 | Marian Galloway |
1972 | Roger Stevens |
1971 | Nunally Johnson |
1970 | Robert “Bob” Porterfield |
1969 | (no award presented) |
1968 | (no award presented) |
1967 | Tennessee Williams |
1966 | (no award presented) |
1965 | John Mason Brown |
1964 | (no award presented) |
1963 | Samuel Selden |
1962 | Fred Coe |
1961 | Charles Coburn |
1960 | Stark Young |
Playwriting Awards
Getchell New Play Award
Charles M. Getchell New Contest is dedicated to the discovery, development and publicizing of worthy new plays and playwrights.
The awardee receives:
$1,000 honorarium
Certificate at Recognition
Acknowledgement at the Saturday evening Gala
Staged Play Reading at the annual SETC Convention
Travel and hotel accommodations.
Acknowledgement in an SETC publication
Submission Period: May 1st - September 15th annually.
Nomination formInnovative Playwriting Instruction Award
This award was established to honor one high school teacher each year for innovative instruction in playwriting. Nominate your favorite teacher (including yourself). The administration of this award is assigned to the Innovative Playwriting Instruction Award Committee.
The awardee receives:
A Certificate and $1000 Honorarium
Recognition at the Convention
Recognition in an SETC publication
Submission Period: May 1st - September 15th annually.
Nomination formDesign/Tech Awards
Distinguished Design/Tech Award
The Distinguished Design/Tech Award is established to honor individuals each year with a distinguished career in costume, stage management, lighting, and scenic design. Each awardee also serves a distinguished adjudicator for the student Design Competitions.
Administration of this award is assigned to the Design/Tech Committee. SETC members are invited to make suggestion for consideration.
The awardees receive:
Honorarium of $1,000
Air travel and hotel accommodations
Registration waiver
Per diem for dining and incidentals.
Honored Design/Tech Keynote Panelists
Acknowledgement and plaque presented at the Design/Tech Awards
Submit your recommendation(s) for this award between May 1st and September 15th annually.
John Spiegel Theatrical Artist Award
The John Spiegel Theatrical Artist Award is presented annually to a student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the following areas: lighting design, properties design, scenic design, sound design, or technical direction.
The awardee receives:
A Certificate of Recognition
$1,000 honorarium
SETC registration to the SETC Annual Convention for the award year
Reimbursement of up to $600 to cover hotel accommodations to attend the Convention
Recognition at the Convention Design Tech Awards as the John Spiegel Theatrical Artist Awardee
Submission Period: May 1st - September 15th annually.
Nomination formInstitute of Outdoor Theatre Awards
Mark R. Sumner Award
Established in 1990, this award recognizes significant contributions by an individual to a specific outdoor drama, or to the outdoor drama movement as a whole, including but not limited to playwriting, directing, acting, design, theater architecture, patronage, scholarship, musical composition, technology and innovation, producing and administration. The award is presented annually at the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre in October.
The awardee receives:
Acknowledgment of achievements at the closing dinner of the NCOT
Plaque of Recognition
Acknowledgement in an SETC publication
Nominations are accepted from May 1st to July 31st annually.
Nomination formScott Parker Award
Presented to an exceptional volunteer in the field of outdoor theatre. This individual is nominated by an IOT committee member for their extraordinary, dedicated and unpaid service to the organization over a significant period of time. The award is presented annually at the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre in October.
The awardee receives:
$500 honorarium
NCOT registration waiver
Plaque of Recognition
Acknowledgment in an SETC publication
Nominations are accepted from May 1st to July 31st annually.
Nomination formTheatre for Youth Awards
Tom Behm Award
SETC’s Tom Behm Award provides professional development funds — whether to attend a conference or to assist with education credits — to people who have a demonstrated record of professional employment related to the field of Theatre for Young Audiences, Theatre for Youth, or theatre education; OR people who are currently enrolled in a graduate program with emphasis in Theatre for Young Audiences, Theatre for Youth, or Theatre Education.
The awardee receives:
$1,000 Honorarium
SETC registration to the SETC Annual Convention for the award year
Registration to the SETC Teachers Institute for the award year
Recognition in SETC publications.
Submission Period: May 1 - September 15th annually.
Nomination formSara Spencer Child Drama Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization for distinguished achievement in child drama. Nominees can excel in such areas as playwriting, performance, audience development, curriculum development, funding, scholarship, community programs, research, television programming, creative drama or other enrichment programs at their community, state, regional or national level. This award honors children’s theatre pioneer and founder of the Children’s Theatre Press (now the Anchorage Press) Sara Spencer. Spencer was the first recipient of SETC’s Suzanne M. Davis Award in 1965.
The awardee receives:
An engraved plaque
Recognition in SETC publications.
Submission Period: May 1st - September 15th annually.
Nomination formStudent & Emerging Artist Awards
Keynote Emerging Artists of Promise (KEAP) Awards
The Southeastern Theatre Conference implemented an initiative to support and encourage young theatre artists in our region: The Keynote Emerging Artist of Promise Award (KEAP). The idea for the award was born when 2005 Convention Keynote Speaker Samm-Art Williams asked that his honorarium as a speaker that year be used to bring one or more promising high school students to the 2006 convention - students who would not ordinarily be able to attend the convention and who could take advantage of the excitement and encouragement that the country’s largest theatre gathering would provide.
The KEAP Award is presented to four (4) recipients who have strong academic backgrounds (GPA, ACT, SAT) and a strong commitment to theatre (statement from teacher or counselor), with a financial disadvantage to attend the SETC Convention.
The awardees receive:
A Registration waiver to SETC's annual convention.
Hotel accommodations.
A $1,000 travel stipend.
Acknowledgement in a SETC publication.
Acknowledgment at the Friday luncheon and award ceremony.
A Certificate of the Award
NOTE: Nominations can be submitted by anyone (self-nominees included). Awardees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Nominations are accepted from May 1st - October 15th annually.
Nomination formYoung Scholar's Award
SETC’s History/Theory/Criticism/Literature Committee invites submissions from graduate students and undergraduate students relating to the committee’s interest areas of history, theory, criticism, and literature. One graduate and one undergraduate paper will be chosen to win a cash prize and to present their winning papers at the annual SETC Convention.
The awardee receives:
$400 Honorarium
SETC registration to the SETC Annual Convention for the award year
Invitation to the Friday Awards Luncheon
Recognition in an SETC publication.
Submission Period: May 1st - October 15th annually.
Submit hereScholarships
Applications for all graduate and undergraduate SETC scholarships are accepted from January 15 to April 15, annually. Winning scholars are announced by June 30. Scholarship money is made available upon proof of matriculation. Scholars may use their award funds however they see fit.
SETC’s Scholarship/Awards Fund supports each award.
Please note: Award amounts and other details for each scholarship are subject to change from year to year. Up-to-date information for each scholarship cycle will be available by the start of each year’s application window.
Undergraduate Studies
Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship
SETC’s Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship awards $2,000 to a high school student on entering a college or university in the SETC region to major in theatre.
Graduate Studies
Leighton M. Ballew Directing Scholarship Award
SETC’s Leighton M. Ballew Directing Scholarship awards $2,500 to a student to study directing at a regionally accredited graduate school.
Denise Halbach Performance Scholarship Award
SETC’s Denise Halbach Performance Scholarship awards $2,000 to a student to study acting or musical theatre at a regionally accredited graduate program.
Robert Porterfield Scholarship Award
SETC’s Robert Porterfield Scholarship awards $2,000 to a student entering or attending a regionally accredited graduate school to study theatre.
Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award
SETC’s Marion A. Smith Costume Scholarship awards $1,500 to a student pursuing a graduate degree in costume design and/or technology at a regionally accredited program.
William E. Wilson Scholarship Award
SETC’s William E. Wilson Scholarship awards $5,000 to a secondary school educator pursuing a theatre degree or a speech and theatre degree at a regionally accredited graduate program.