Bellamy Awards Honor Volunteers, Performers on March 2

by

Jessica Craven

The ARTx3 Campus has a long-standing tradition of hosting an annual public event to thank our volunteers. Without each and every volunteer, we would not be able to have our programming, theater productions, and receptions. 

This year, “volunteer night” has been transformed into something a little more glamorous: The Bellamy Awards: A Volunteer Celebration

The event is Saturday, March 2, in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts and Science Center, 701 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 6:00. In addition to award presentations, the evening will include short performances, slide-show presentations, and light refreshments.

The ARTx3’s performing arts committee is organizing and hosting the event.

The awards have expanded to include categories to honor theater volunteers. Modeled after the Tony Awards, the “Bellamys” are voted on by community members as well as ARTx3 volunteers and staff members. 

“We decided to expand the awards because we wanted to give more recognition to the volunteers who spend so much time giving back to the community,” said Bethany Gere, ARTx3 public programs coordinator. “We want our volunteers to know just how much we appreciate them and highlight them for the wonderful performances they do.”

Bellamy Awards categories include Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, Best Performance as a Lead Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by Lead Actor in a Play, Funniest Onstage Performance, and the Congeniality Award.

Voting for the Bellamy Awards closes Friday, Feb. 23. You can vote through this link

The evening will include the long-running volunteer awards, the recipients of which are voted on by the performing arts committee. 

The Good Egg Awards are given to several volunteers each year, those who have gone above and beyond for their volunteer work. 

The Catherine M. Bellamy Outstanding Performer Award goes to an individual who goes above and beyond for the theater programming. 

The biggest volunteer award is the Margaret Spearman Award for Volunteer of the Year. This individual exemplifies what it means to be a volunteer in our community. 

The public is invited to this free event. Please RSVP by emailing Gere at bgere@artx3.org.