Though this theatre continues to move forward as SLO REP, we will always honor our long history as San Luis Obispo Little Theatre. This organization is built on the achievements of our past, and we feel that it is not only appropriate, but essential, to continue to celebrate the pioneers of this organization that brought us to this point. Over the past 73 years, thousands and thousands of volunteers have given of their time — and their blood, sweat and tears — to keep this theatre thriving. Of those thousands, we have honored a few who truly went above and beyond the call of duty. Please see below for a list of our honorees throughout the years, and if you happen to see one of these special people – please thank them!
The Claire Gates Lifetime Achievement Award
This annual award is bestowed by the Board Of Directors in recognition of many years of significant contributions to the Theatre. It is the highest honor and, as such, has been bestowed upon a very select and deserving few. It is named after Claire Gates, the gracious and elegant grande dame of the Little Theatre “back in the early days”. Like Claire, the recipients of this award have clearly demonstrated their contribution, support, guidance, love and dedicated loyalty to and for the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre, now San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre.
Oma Anderson
Dr. George Dunklee
Daryl Kruse
Jim Chernoff
Claire Gates
Ralph & Joy Hanson
Marge & Roger Castle
Kittie McDougal Drach
Jessie Ray
Marilyn Blake
Wilda Rosene
Jeff Lee
Thelma Anderson
John Battalino
Kristy Wilson
Chrys Barnes
Dottie Thompson
Bill McLaughlin
Elaine Fournier
Donna Jones
Michael Siebrass, 2015
Keith Wetzel, 2016
Shelagh Garren, 2017
Ron Burkhart, 2018
Michael Simkins, 2019
The Jim Chernoff Award
This annual award is bestowed by the Board Of Directors for “outstanding technical contributions.” It is named after Jim Chernoff, otherwise known as “Mr. Technical,” who devoted years and years as well as thousands upon thousands of hours to the continued betterment of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre, now SLO REP. When the theatre moved to the City Playhouse from the Hilltop Theatre, Jim did all of the technical installations, including the lighting and sound system.
1979-1980-Jim Chernoff
1980-1981-Kathy Lunn
1981-1982-Roberta Wehr
1982-1983-Greg Stephan
1983-1984-Steven DeLuque
1984-1985 -Dave Bacom
1985-1986-John Bartelt
1986-1987-Kathleen McMurray
1987-1988-Susan Brady
1988-1989-Herb Hoffman
1989-1990-Peter Star
1990-1991-Roger Castle
1991-1992-Betsi Risser
1992-1993-Dennis Schneider
1993-1994-Evan Campbell
1994-1995-Carol Zsadanyi
1995-1996-Jeff Lee
1996-1997-John Pearson
1997-1998-Art Van Rhyn
1998-1999-Mary Walker
1999-1900-Donna Jones
2000-2001-Mary Moyers-Lee
2001-2002-Jim Clements
2002-2003-John Battalino
2003-2004-John Grostick
2004-2005-Rebekah Oulton
2005-2006-Dylan Pavelko
2006-2007-Rick Odom
2007-2008-Pat Ward
2009-2010-Shelby & Tayler Trett
2010-2011-Robyn Burns
2011-2012-Ron Tindall
2012-2013-Lisa Langere
2013-2014-Lester Wilson
2014-2015-Pam Hester
2015-2016-Mariah Taylor
2016-2017-Samantha Winchester
2017-2018-Ryan Loyd
2018-2019 Zandi & Greg Peters
The Jessie Ray Spotlight Award
This annual award is bestowed by the Board Of Directors for “overall excellence and outstanding contribution above and beyond the call of duty.” It is named after Jessie Ray, a longtime performer and generous supporter.
1979-1980 Al Ronyecz
1980-1981 Jack Wehr
1981-1982 John Bartelt
1982-1983 Ed Lunn
1983-1984 Elaine Fournier
1984-1985 Jim Nilan
1985-1986 Ralph Hanson
1986-1987 Bob Waltz
1987-1988 Mark McDougal
1988-1989 Deborah Elliott
1989-1990 Joy Hanson
1990-1991 Marge Castle
1991-1992 Marie Favro Garcia
1992-1993 Kittie Drach
1993-1994 Mary Walker
1994-1995 Wilda Rosene
1995-1996 Jackie Baker
1996-1997 Kit Sine
1997-1998 Nathan Varni
1998-1999 Sherry Wright
1999-2000 August Gabriel
2000-2001 Glen Herman
2001-2002 Dottie Thompson
2002-2003 Dave Linfield
2003-2004 Rebekah Oulton
2004-2005 Donna Sellars
2005-2006 Rae Stone
2006-2007 Betsy Kinter
2007-2008 Maryrose Doherty
2009-2010 Mark Plater
2010-2011 Lisa Woske
2011-2012 Sharon Woodside & Karen Miles
2012-2013 The Authier Family
2013-2014 Ryan Loyd
2014-1205 Angelina Tharp & Stephanie Allen
2015-2016 Susan George
2017-2018 Thomas & Linda Stuermer
2018-2019 The Raftery Family
The President’s Award
This annual award, begun in 1993, is bestowed by the President of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre/SLO REP Board Of Directors to someone who has been of great help to the President. This award is solely at the discretion of the President of the Board of Directors.
1992-1993 Kristy Wilson
1993-1994 Mary Walker
1994-1995 Peter Keith
1995-1996 Joy Hanson
1996-1997 Cindy Clemens
1997-1998 Marleta Warneke Garner
1998-1999 Jennifer Blomfield
1999-2000 Jeff Lee
2000-2001 Pete Guernsey
2001-2002 Jackie Baker
2002-2003 Kim Tulledge
2003-2004 Susan Mullen
2004-2005 Marilyn Blake
2006-2007 Wilda Rosene
2008-2009 Susan Rodriguez
2009-2010 Michael Simkins
2010-2011 Bryce Engstrom
2011-2012 Jerry Chirpich
2014-2015 Michael Simkins
2016-2017 Wilda Rosene
2017-2018 Marcia Scott
2018-2019 Matthew Cottle
The Joy & Ralph Hanson Award
This annual award is bestowed by the Board Of Directors for “the person who is always there for the Theatre.” It is named after Joy & Ralph Hanson, who have “always been there” for this theatre, for many, many years.
1996-1997 Laura McNamara
1997-1998 Lloyd Walker Family
1998-1999 Jennifer Eppright
1999-2000 Joy & Ralph Hanson
2001-2002 Susan Desmond
2002-2003 Bill McLaughlin
2003-2004 Donna Sellars
2004-2005 Phil DuMelle
2005-2006 John Grostick
2006-2007 Gene Goldschmidt
2007-2008 Yehudit Korn
2008-2009 Stephen Taylor
2009-2010 Betty Alvarado
2010-2011 Charlene Premer
2011-2012 Michelle Roberson
2013-2014 Ron & Carol Burkhart
2014-2015 Arlene Sackman
2015-2016 Janet Elder-Nichols
2016-2017 Ron & Annie Malak
2017-2018 Ann Robinson
2018-2019 Cathy & Richard Luckett
The John Grostick Rising Star Award
This annual award is bestowed by the Board of Directors to a volunteer in their first year of service to the Theatre who demonstrates outstanding dedication and growth in the theatre. It is named in memory of John Grostick, who consistently went above and beyond the call of duty for the Little Theatre.
2010-2011 Pam Hester
2011-2012 Franklin Mognett
2012-2013 Jo Jackson
2013-2014 Jamie Foster
2014-2015 Shaley Gunther
2015-2016 Greg Peters
2016-2017 Greg DeMartini
2017-2018 Ken Woodruff
2018-2019 Alan Pietsch
