Honoring Excellence in Outdoor Theatre
2025 Recipients of the Parker and Sumner Awards
At the 2025 National Conference on Outdoor Theatre (NCOT) in Bardstown, KY, two distinguished honors, the Scott J. Parker Volunteer Award and the Mark R. Sumner Award, were presented to individuals whose service and artistic leadership have profoundly enriched outdoor theatre.
Cyndi Mattingly: The 2025 Scott J. Parker Volunteer Award Recipient
The Scott J. Parker Volunteer Award was established to recognize volunteers who have made exceptional, long-term contributions to outdoor theatre. Whether serving on boards, ushering audiences, managing ticket sales, or creating magic behind the scenes, recipients embody the collaborative heart of theatre.
The award honors the legacy of Scott J. Parker, who from 1990 until his retirement in 2007 served as Director of the Institute of Outdoor Drama at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Under his leadership, the Institute supported 110 outdoor theatres in 37 states and worked with communities nationwide to develop new outdoor theatre organizations. Parker’s influence was felt in nearly every corner of the movement.
The 2025 Parker Award recipient, Cyndi Mattingly, embodies the spirit of dedication and generosity. A longtime costume volunteer for The Stephen Foster Story (SFS) in Bardstown, Kentucky, Mattingly has donated thousands of hours to community and non-profit theatres across Central Kentucky over the past fifteen years. Her exceptional talent, attention to detail, and selfless commitment have made her a cornerstone of the Stephen Foster creative family.
“The Stephen Foster Story is fortunate to be a recipient of her time and incredible talent,” said Johnny Warren, Executive Artistic Director of The Stephen Foster Story. “Cyndi’s work behind the scenes reflects not only skill but a true love of the theatre and the people who bring it to life.”
Mattingly’s creative touch has graced productions of The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, The Sound of Music, and countless others. Her attention to detail and ability to translate character through costume design have elevated every production she touches. “To have someone with the skill and artistry Cyndi possesses is just incredible,” said SFS Costumer Charlotte Campbell. “She is the kind of volunteer dreams are made of. My gratitude for her as a collaborator and artist is matched by my love for her as a person.”
Mattingly’s years of service stand as a shining example of commitment to community and creative excellence. Her recognition with the Parker Award is both a tribute to her personal contributions and a reminder of the essential role volunteers play in keeping outdoor theatre thriving.
Joseph and Margaret Bonamico: The 2025 Mark R. Sumner Award Recipients
The Mark R. Sumner Award, first presented in 1991, recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to a specific theatre or to the broader outdoor theatre movement. The award honors Mark R. Sumner, a World War II veteran, professor, and playwright who led the Institute of Outdoor Drama for 25 years. During his tenure, he helped launch more than 30 historical dramas in 26 states and served as president of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).
The 2025 recipients of the Sumner Award, Joseph Bonamico and Margaret Bonamico of Trumpet in the Land in New Philadelphia, Ohio, embody the same spirit of vision and perseverance.
For more than four decades, Joseph Bonamico brought his artistry and leadership to Trumpet in the Land, performing, writing, and directing with passion and vision. A respected member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Writers Guild of America, SAG, and AFTRA, Joe performed the role of Simon Girty for 37 of his 43 seasons with the production. He also wrote, directed, and performed in The White Savage, a project that reflected both his creative ambition and his deep respect for the history celebrated on the outdoor stage.
His passion for outdoor theatre was unwavering, and his influence on Trumpet in the Land and its community will endure for generations. Sadly, Joe passed away in September 2024, but his legacy of storytelling and mentorship continues to inspire all who worked alongside him.
Margaret Bonamico, who continues to serve as General Manager of Trumpet in the Land, has been an equally vital force in the theatre’s longevity and success. In 2022, she celebrated fifty years with the organization. Under her guidance, Trumpet in the Land has been recognized by the Ohio Senate, the Ohio House of Representatives, and the city of New Philadelphia for outstanding achievement and community leadership. The theatre has also received the Zeisberger-Heckewelder Award, the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance’s Excellence in Tourism Award, and numerous other honors acknowledging its cultural and economic impact.
Presenting the award, Marina Hunley-Graham, Artistic Director of Unto These Hills, praised the siblings’s extraordinary contributions: “Together, the Bonamicos devoted a remarkable 96 combined years to outdoor theatre.
Their passion and perseverance have kept Paul Green’s iconic symphonic drama thriving through both adversity and triumph. Their work reflects a deep love of theatre, an appreciation of history, and a profound commitment to the Outdoor Theatre Movement. Their service to their community and to American theatre has truly been extraordinary.”
A Legacy of Dedication
The stories of Cyndi Mattingly, Joseph Bonamico, and Margaret Bonamico remind us that outdoor theatre is sustained by people who give not only their time and talent, but their hearts. Through volunteerism, artistry, leadership, and vision, these 2025 award recipients have strengthened the foundation upon which outdoor theatre.