[e-drive] EQUIFLASH [2005 HONOURS AWARDS]

[caea-l at list.web.net]

------------------------------------------------
EQUIFLASH - 2005 HONOURS AWARDS
------------------------------------------------

Canadian Actors' Equity Association will honour Charmion King, Gordon Pinsent, Brenda Kamino and Wendy Lill with the Associations' awards at a luncheon on Sunday, October 23rd at The Arts & Letters Club in Toronto, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

"Where would we be without our honourees? This is like asking 'where would we be without our history?' Reading the list of those honoured by Equity is like looking at a three dimensional map of Canada's theatrical history. One that encompasses the entire country: the artists, the benefactors, the managers, the visionaries, as well as those who work behind the scenes."
-- Jane Heyman, member of Canadian Actors' Equity Association and Larry McCance Award winner in the "50 Years of Equity" commemorative magazine

Life Membership is awarded to a member of Equity who is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the performing arts and to Equity. Equity President Henry Gauthier will present Charmion King and Gordon Pinsent with Equity's Life Membership awards in recognition of their distinguished careers in the performing arts. Charmion has built a career in Canadian theatre spanning more than 40 years, beginning at the Crest Theatre in Toronto. Charmion was a founding member of Muskoka's Straw Hat Players and continues to perform regularly on stage, on television and in film. Gordon is a Canadian entertainment icon. The Newfoundland-born actor and writer began his career on stage at 17. He is best known for the film "The Rowdyman" for which he wrote the screenplay and musical version and the television series "A Gift to Last". He also wrote the novel "John and the Missus" which was later adapted into a stage play for Neptune Theatre, where he played the leading role at the premiere.

The Larry McCance Award is awarded to an Equity member or staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association. Long-time Equity member Brenda Kamino will be presented with the Larry McCance Award by Vice-President External Dawn Obokata. Brenda is a long-time Equity member, former Councillor and member of the Executive Committee and author of "About Face," Equity's newsletter column on diversity issues. She has had a richly diverse career as a performer, dramaturge, director, producer, board member and Theatre Officer.

Honorary Membership in Equity is awarded each year to a person who is not a member, but who has assisted in promoting the objects of the Association and/or made an outstanding contribution to the performing arts. Wendy Lill is a distinguished Canadian playwright who has been nominated for the Governor General's Award for Drama on four occasions. In her seven-year term as MP for Dartmouth, Nova Scotia she has been a passionate proponent and defender of the Arts. She has fought at every level for recognition for artists within our society and for Canadian culture as a whole. Wendy continues to be an extraordinary defender of Canadian theatre and of Canadian artists and she is a generous supporter of all manner of artistic activity across Canada.

The winner of the 2005 Stage West Equity Emerging Equity Artist Award and a $2,000 cash prize will be announced by Saskatchewan Councillor Marianne Woods at the Honours Award luncheon. This award, generously initiated by Stage West in celebration of Equity's silver anniversary in 2001, recognizes an Equity member who has belonged to the Association for three years or less yet has already made a significant contribution and impression as an artist.

Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria St., 12th floor
Toronto, ON  M5C 3C4