WYO Theater announces the Lotus Awards

The WYO Theater has announced Ken Grant has been selected as the recipient of the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center’s 2021 Lotus Awards and will be honored at a private reception Sept. 12.

An homage to the theater’s original name in the 1920s, the WYO’s Lotus Award is presented to individuals who inspire passion for the creative arts in Sheridan by demonstrating outstanding support and selfless dedication to the goals of the WYO. The winners are selected from multiple nominees submitted by past recipients, WYO board and staff members and voted on by the board of directors. 

According to WYO Theater Executive Director Erin Butler, as a long-time volunteer, Grant has proven his dedication to the WYO and its mission by investing a significant amount of personal time working backstage. Grant was first introduced to the theater through his son, Wynton’s participation in the WYO’s annual production of Christmas Carol where he was recruited as “child wrangler”. Shortly thereafter Wynton became involved in Tandem productions where Grant grew his child wrangling skills and was later recruited as a backstage crew person and is most often called upon to run the fly-rail which he has done for (almost) every WYO Gala production since Chicago in 2005.

“We are thrilled to honor Ken Grant as this year’s Lotus Award recipient,” said Butler. “Ken has been an integral part to the success of the WYO year after year and we are particularly pleased to recognize his continued passion for helping the performing arts not only survive but thrive here.”

Past honorees include Lynne and Pete Simpson, Kim Love, Sy Thickman, Marva Craft, Dick and Tami Davis, Pat Tomsovic, Susan Miller, Christy Love and Scott Davis and Mary Ludemann.