The American Shakespeare Center’s Director of Education was honored at STA’s annual conference
The American Shakespeare Center’s Director of Education Sarah Enloe was awarded the Sidney Berger Award from the Shakespeare Theatre Association at their annual conference in Baltimore last Saturday. The Sidney Berger Award is one of the most coveted prizes among Shakespeare scholars, and is awarded to an STA member in recognition of her or his outstanding talent and dedication to the works of William Shakespeare. The award was created by a gift from the family of Sidney Berger. Berger was a well known Shakespeare enthusiast, scholar, and teacher; founder of the Houston Shakespeare Festival; and co-founder of the STA.
At this year’s conference, Enloe lead a practicum track for Shakespeare educators which included nine workshops and panels with discussions ranging from school outreach programs (like the innovative Battle of the Bard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), mission driven workshop design, and more. Enloe served on the STA Executive Committee as Member at Large and secretary for five years of service, ran the Shakespeare Works when Shakespeare Plays professional development conference, and is currently developing a resource for STA members called STA U. She is the first Director of Education to receive the award.
Former recipients of the award include Lisa Wolpe, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company; Guy Roberts, Founder and Artistic Director of the Prague Shakespeare Company; and Curt Tofteland, Founder and Producing Director of Shakespeare Behind Bars and former director at the American Shakespeare Center.
“You may not be able to see it, but to me, this award looks like a mirror,” said Sarah Enloe as she received the award. “I am only able to do my job because of the influence and generosity of my colleagues – especially Ralph Cohen and Patrick Spottiswoode, who have helped me shape my vision of our education programs and STA’s brilliant contribution to it. Let’s go forward and be the joyful warriors who create a paradigm shift in the way people think about Shakespeare.”
The Shakespeare Theatre Association was established to provide a forum for the artistic, managerial, educational leadership for theatres primarily involved with the production of the works of William Shakespeare; to discuss issues and methods of work, resources, and information; and to act as an advocate for Shakespearean productions and training. It holds an annual conference and publishes the bi-annual Shakespeare magazine Quarto. More information about the Shakespeare Theatre Association can be found at www.stahome.org.