As a new kid on the block on the board of directors of the Natchez Little Theater, I am thrilled to announce our fourth annual Stan Dean Ovation Awards. One and all are invited to join us in revelry worthy of Shakespeare’s Falstaff at the awards gala at 6 Saturday evening at the Natchez Little Theatre at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street in Natchez. Come help us celebrate the best of the 59th season and the volunteers that made it all happen.

The Stan Dean Ovation Awards (a play on the words standing ovation) is not only an evening of festivity but also one of remembrance and tribute. We begin with delicious hors ‘oeuvres donated by local chefs, cold champagne or refreshing punch while we peruse luxury silent auction items such as a week in posh Watercolor, Fla., couture bed linens from Intimate Home in Natchez, and cut crystal from H. Hal Garner of Natchez. We will then adjourn to the auditorium for live entertainment celebrating the hits of the 59th season and a sneak preview of the upcoming Diamond Jubilee 60th season, as well as, the awards presentation and the announcements of the silent auction winners. Rusty Jenkins, of Natchez, will once again serve as the master of ceremonies for the black-tie event. The awards committee is chaired by Gina Buckley, of Natchez, and Lynn Mann, of Ferriday.

Twenty-four awards will be presented starting at 7 p.m. in the Natchez Little Theatre Auditorium. The winners of all Stan Dean Ovation Awards are determined by the members of Natchez Little Theatre who have attended all of the season’s productions. The nominees were selected from all the participants of NLT’s productions throughout the season and narrowed down to the nominees by the NLT awards committee and board of directors.

Natchez Little Theatre is proud of all of our performers especially the numerous acting debuts that take place at NLT. A great break for such a beginning is Natchez Little Theatre’s outstanding youth programs which have given many local area youth an opportunity to display their talents for which we will present three youth awards.

Since Natchez Little Theatre is a volunteer community theatre, its success comes from the countless hours and tireless efforts of many to create the outstanding community theatre that NLT is. Saturday evening will be a wonderful chance to meet and mingle with some of Natchez’s most creative and fun loving residents. And you can glimpse some of our city’s most impressive musical and theatrical talent. The evening’s entertainment will feature Darlene McCune, Rudy Timm, Landon Henry, Giovanna Little, Casey Gilbert, Jodie Wright, the cast of “Into the Woods,” Layne Taylor, Ryan Dixon Richardson, Nicole Ballard, Chanda Douglas, Mignon Reid and Curt Smith.

The gala is our only annual fundraiser for Natchez Little Theatre, a non-profit organization and Mississippi’s oldest community theatre. Amazingly, Natchez Little Theater has been entertaining Southwest Mississippi and East Central Louisiana since 1932. And we are more determined than ever to continue this grand tradition and to serve Natchez in arts education, entertainment and as a healthy creative outlet for anyone who is willing to pull a curtain, paint a set, read a script, cut a rug or sing a song.

Please join us at the Stan Dean Ovation Awards Gala on July 14. All tickets are $10 and 59th season grand benefactors and sponsors may attend for free. Remember this is a fundraiser, so bring your checkbook, Visa or MasterCard and come prepared to bid on some exciting silent auction items and join Natchez Little Theatre as it celebrates it Diamond Jubilee 60th season with a retrospective of plays and musicals from NLT’s first six decades. Reservations for the gala may be made by calling 601-442-2233, toll free at 1-877-440-2233, by email at natchez@bellsouth.net or go online to www.natchezlittletheatre.org.

Courtney Taylor is a NLT board member.