NFLT Rolls Out The Red Carpet For Six Lifetime Achievers

Nov 20, 2013

Bards, buffs and behind the scene-ers of the North Frontenac Little Theatre (NFLT) filled the Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake for their first ever lifetime achievement awards ceremony. Like all great awards ceremonies, this one offered up fine food and fancy fashions; a fabulously talented, tuxed and tailed emcee, Brian Robertson; some very off the wall comedy thanks to a few NFLT veterans; and some great live musical entertainment courtesy of Toute Ensemble and Fiddlers and Friends. Add to that six heartfelt speeches, each honoring special members of the community who have shaped the North Frontenac Little Theatre over its 35-year history, and you had one very special night to remember.

Town Crier Paddy O'Connor opened up the evening and summed up in a nutshell what the NFLT continues to bring to this community. “Amateur theatre strengthens the cultural environment and provides an emotional and creative outlet for those participating and for those observing. It is indeed time that this special tribute is awarded to the six recipients for their countless hours, days, weeks, and months of dedicated volunteer service to making our community a better place to live”.

NFLT president Nina Jenkins spoke of the NFLT's history, which dates back to 1979 when John Pariselli put an ad in this paper. The ad attracted 15 other thespians and they worked together to assemble a cast and crew of 35, who put on the NFLT's memorable inaugural performance, "Alice in Wonderland". The play had a sold out run, which demonstrated the local thirst for live amateur theatre, and which the NFLT would continue to quench over the next 35 years in more than 70 shows that included musicals, dramas, comedies, children's shows and one-act plays. The productions have involved over 200 members of the community over three and a half decades.

Michel Alarcon spoke of the importance of seeding the ground for the upcoming next generation of theatre thespians and buffs to keep the tradition of NFLT alive and well in the community. Interspersed throughout the evening were the presentations to the six recipients by their long-time NFLT comrades.

Margaret Bell, who was one of the organization's original founding members, presented the first award of the evening to John Pariselli, founder of the NFLT. “The NFLT would not exist as we know it today without John, his vision and his direction,” Bell said. John Pariselli has taken part in dozens of NFLT productions, sometimes simultaneously as director, actor, and producer as well as behind the scenes technician, and has been a continuous member of the executive for decades. He not only maintains the NFLT's web page, but has written numerous grant proposals that have allowed the NFLT to acquire much needed materials. He also personally made possible the purchase of the little white church in Tichborne, the NFLT's permanent home.

Pam Giroux presented the second award of the evening to someone she called “the Queen Mum of the NFLT”, Marjorie Fossey, who was another founding member along with her late husband Glen. Fossey has been active in the theatre since its first production and in Pam's words “had a hand in creating, designing and painting all of the sets during the 1980s and 1990s. Wherever she was needed she was there giving her time, selflessly and I don't think I have ever met a more humble, kind, and generous person than Marjorie.”

Lynda Boulter presented the award to Dawn Hansen, who had a decades-long role as stage manager with NFLT beginning in 1984 and who also volunteered for years on the executive as well as acting and singing in a number of productions. Dawn was honored by Boulter as someone who “loved what she did and who mentored others to learn the role of stage manager at the NFLT.”

Doug Boulter presented the awards to John and Ann McDougall, a couple whose extraordinary talents have brought music to countless members of the communities in South, Central and North Frontenac both as music teachers and as members of the NFLT. John made his premiere at the NFLT as Humpty Dumpty in "Alice in Wonderland" and performed in numerous roles over the years. His prowess as a musician saw him in the role of musical director for the productions of "Music Man", "L'il Abner", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Brigadoon", "The King and I" and "South Pacific". Ann, who is well known near and far for her talents as a piano player and piano teacher, provided piano support at countless rehearsals and also for the staging of "The Music Man", "Li'l Abner", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", "Nunsense II", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Brigadoon", "The King and I", "Oliver" and "South Pacific". Ann also took to the stage in choral support parts as well as playing the part of Mrs. Pye in "Anne of Green Gables".

Paddy O'Connor had the honor of presenting Peter Platenius with the sixth award and praised Peter with the words, “We know how talented he is, how dedicated he is, how dependable he is, how creative he is, how thoughtful he is, how generous he is, and how he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. He [Platenius] is a perfect choice for this honour.” Peter played many roles on stage including the narrator in "Our Town" and worked behind the scenes for countless productions creating memorable sets and props for "Anne of Green Gables" and "Noises Off", as O'Connor said, “doing anything and everything from A to Z.”

Each life time achiever received a medal, and the memorable event, which was admittedly long overdue, demonstrated how the NFLT is such an important cultural mainstay in the community and one that continues to bring together hundreds of like-minded individuals to celebrate their love of the theatre.