If we were playing Jeopardy, under the category “community theatre” the answer would be:

“Joel” - CABBAGES IS BEAUTIFUL – Sauder Village, July 1979
Betty Parris – THE CRUCIBLE – Elmira School, November 1979

Your answer, phrased as a question would be:
What are the names of the characters that Gareth and Judy Short portrayed in their only on-stage acting experience with ACT/Archbold Friends of the Arts?

That was just a few years ago – and about 70 productions ago! In the past 24 years Gareth and Judy have been involved with the vast majority of these productions in some way, shape, or form. Because of this, I am very pleased to announce that Gareth and Judy Short are this year’s recipients of The Mary Short Award.
The Mary Short Award is presented each year to recognize someone (this includes couples) who has been an outstanding asset to ACT. Someone who exemplifies the spirit and love of theater as was demonstrated over the years by Mary. Someone who contributes to the success of ACT through their participation on or off stage. Someone who promotes community within ACT and ACT within the community. And someone who supports the goals of ACT. Gareth and Judy are perfect examples of all of these qualities.

A volunteer is someone who donates his or her own time and talents when something needs to be done – whatever the task may be. To list their “accomplishments” would be impossible. Let’s just say they have volunteered for just about every job involved with a live theatre production. From late nights on stage setting lights, to late nights at home balancing the books, to selling tickets, to ushering, helping with dinner theatre, and on, and on. I would guess there have been very few productions that Gareth and/or Judy have not been involved with.

Now let’s look back at the Organizational Meeting of Archbold Community Theatre held at the Home Savings and Loan on Stryker Street in Archbold on June 12, 1980. There were 12 people present: Michael D. Short, Sally Roth, Nancy Sauder, Bev Miller, Ned and Mary Gisel, Susan James, Larry Frey, Jack Planson, and Gareth and Judy Short. In this meeting the purpose of the organization was defined, membership requirements were set, officers were elected and other related items were discussed.
Not knowing about “Joel” and Betty Paris, I asked Gareth what inspired them to attend this meeting? Did they just walk in cold and want to get involved? Gareth explained to me about their prior acting experiences with ACT, and that he had been “recruited” to do lights for The Crucible (according to the program, he was the Lighting Technician) - so they were already involved at this point and they just wanted to continue their involvement.

Not only did they continue their involvement, they made it a family affair. It wasn’t unusual to have the help of either daughter Crystal or son Christopher (or both) on many of the shows. To take it a step further, Crystal, now Crystal Rodriguez has “recruited” the help of her husband, Peter. Together, they form the 2nd generation of a couple working together for Archbold Community Theatre – would this be Act II of “Joel” and Betty Parris?

But Gareth and Judy have been much more to ACT than just dedicated, hard working volunteers. They are wonderful people! If you have never been involved in an ACT production, it’s something you might want to try. It’s a lot of work – hard work! But when that curtain goes up – it makes it all worth it. And as a bonus, you meet a lot of great people – like “Joel” and Betty Parris.

Congratulations Gareth and Judy!