Congratulations to our Rising Star Award winners for 2015
December 2, 2015: At Lakewood’s holiday gala, Lakewood in Lights, two individuals received Rising Star Awards from Lakewood. The Rising Star Patron Award went to Nancy McDonald and the Rising Star Artist Award went to Hudson Hale.
2015 Rising Star Patron Award – Nancy McDonald
Presented in recognition of ongoing achievement in promoting the development of artists at Lakewood Center for the Arts
Nancy McDonald has an extensive background in professional theatre as an actor, director, performing arts educator and corporate trainer with starring roles in over 40 theatre productions. She founded the Shakespeare Stage Company in New York City and The Writer’s Lab in Hollywood. Since moving to the northwest you can find her at various elementary, middle schools and junior highs, teaching the arts in short term residencies. At Lakewood, beginning actors and those returning to the craft enjoy her signature classes Acting For Non Actors, Professional Acting, How To Tell Your Story and Playing with Shakespeare. She has touched many lives by inspiring those with little or no acting experience to season professionals of all ages. She continually encourages her students to take on new roles as actors, playwrights and directors. One of her many students summed it up best by saying: “She is motivating, supportive, fun, smart, intuitive, creative, encouraging, realistic and passionate about her work… an amazing teacher and coach.” This Rising Star Award for 2015 goes to a very special teacher and mentor for inspiring her students to embrace the arts for more than 10 years at Lakewood.
2015 Rising Star Artist Award – Hudson Hale
Presented in recognition of ongoing achievement as an artist at Lakewood Center for the Arts
Hudson Hale is a relatively new face at Lakewood – probably because he is only 12 years old. He came to our attention in 2014 with his work in our Rising Artist Workshop with instructor Andrew Paul Woodworth. This performer has had leading roles at his school as Michael in Peter Pan and Aladdin in the Arabian Nights. In September of this year he was featured as young Jason in Falsetto’s with Live On Stage at Portland’s World Trade Center. However, before that, he made an indelible impression with us at Lakewood with his May 2015 debut as young Patrick Dennis in the musical Mame, directed by John Oules and musical directed by Darcy White. This young performer lives in Portland, is a 7th grader who loves science, playing squash, singing with his sisters and performing on stage. We are looking forward to seeing him on many future stages.
Pictured: Above: Rising Star sponsors Cyndie & Peter Glazer with 2015 Rising Star Patron Award winner Nancy McDonald and Lakewood Excutive Director Andrew Edwards. Below: with Hudson Hale Rising Star Artist Award.
