Awards

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.

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.

Past recipients of the Suzanne M. Davis Memorial Award
2025Pat Gagliano
2024Marci Duncan
2023Maegan McNerney Azar
2022Tiza Garland
2021Michael P. Howley
2020Jerf Friedenberg
2019Esthere Strom
2018Betsey Horth
2017Ron Keller
2016Dean Slusser
2015Alan Litsey
2014David Thompson
2013Stephen Bayless
2012Bob Ankrom
2011Denise Halbach
2010Dennis Wemm
2009Donna White
2008Mike Murphy
2007Joe Filippo
2006Jack Benjamin
2005Victoria Pennington
2004Ward Haarbauer
2003Mark J. Malinauskas
2002Susan Cole
2001David Wohl
2000Clifton Egan
1999William E. Wilson
1998Donald Wolfe
1997Thomas Stephens
1996Gerald Ray Horne
1995Frank Mohler
1994H. Jefferson Corbin
1993Richard Newdick
1992Scott Parker
1991Donald Drapeau
1990Hazel Hall
1989Dicki Farrar
1988Donald Loeffler
1987Arthur Greene
1986Dorothy Schwartz
1985Robert Knowles
1984David Weiss
1983Alvin Cohen
1982Allen Bales
1981Richard Fallon
1980Delmar Solem
1979Robroy Farquhar
1978Mark Sumner
1977Albert Johnson
1976Philip Hill
1975Herman Middleton
1974Marian Smith
1973Ann Hill
1972Roger Boyle
1971Randolph Edmonds
1970Marian Galloway
1969Harry Davis
1968Leighton Ballew
1967Bob Porterfield
1966Paul Green
1965Sara 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.

Nomination form
Past recipients of the Hall of Fame Award
2025Kris Geddie
2025Keith T. Martin
2025Shannon Robert
2024Adanma Barton
2024Jeff Gibson
2024Dr. Edmond “Ed” Williams
2023John Spiegel
2023Deanna Thompson
2023Tom Booth
2022Quiana Clark-Roland
2022Connie Smith
2022Ward Haarbauer
2021Barbara Dare Hartwig
2021Chad McDonald
2021Dr. Philip G. Hill
2020Jack Benjamin
2020Vivian & Larry Snipes
2020David Wohl
2019Betsey Horth
2019Chip Egan
2019Jose Simbulan
2018Don Creason
2018N. Bennett East
2018April J’Callahan Marshall
2018Jonathan R. Michaelsen
2018Julie A. Richardson
Distinguished Career Award

The 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.

Past recipients of the Distinguished Career Award
2025Andre De Shields
2024S. Epatha Merkerson
2023Carlton & Barbara Molette
2022Norm Lewis
2021Rosemary Harris
2020NC Black Repertory Company
2019Muriel Miguel
2018Jane Greenwood
2017Oskar Eustis
2016Pearl Cleage
2015Ben Vereen
2014Terrence Mann
2013Ken Ludwig
2012Tony Walton & Richard Pilbrow
2011Ben Cameron
2010Judith Malina
2009Eugene Lee
2008Alliance Theatre of Atlanta
2007Marsha Norman
2006Anne Bogart
2005Dixie Carter
2004Christopher Durang
2003Michael Kahn
2002William Ivey Long
2001Edward Albee
2000Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt
1999Ming Cho Lee
1998Tharon Musser
1997Stephen Schwartz
1996Jon Jory
1995(no award presented)
1994Julie Harris
1993Charles Strouse
1992Jose Quintero
1991Arthur Lessac
1990Jerome Lawrence
1989Zoe Caldwell
1988Lloyd Richards
1987Norris Houghton
1986Ben Edwards
1985Patricia Zipprodt
1984Zelda Fichandler
1983Mercedes McCambridge
1982Mildred Dunnock
1981Jose Ferrar
1980Ellen Stewart
1979John Houseman
1978Josh Logan
1977Lillian Hellman
1976Melvin Douglas
1975(no award presented)
1974Ossie Davis
1973Marian Galloway
1972Roger Stevens
1971Nunally Johnson
1970Robert “Bob” Porterfield
1969(no award presented)
1968(no award presented)
1967Tennessee Williams
1966(no award presented)
1965John Mason Brown
1964(no award presented)
1963Samuel Selden
1962Fred Coe
1961Charles Coburn
1960Stark Young

Playwriting Awards

Getchell New Play Award

The Charles M. Getchell New Play 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 form
Innovative 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 form

Design/Tech Awards

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 form
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.

Institute 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 form
Scott 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 form

Theatre 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 form
Sara 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 form

Student & 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 form
Young 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.

Nomination form