In Honor of Our Founder
As a part of the ongoing celebration honoring the theatre’s 40th Anniversary, the Wayside Theatre has created a new award to recognize those individuals who have contributed so selflessly to benefit the theatre.
From The Lure and Lore of Wayside Theatre by Bryane Miller Lickson...
Wayside was founded by the vision and generosity of Washington, D.C. financier and real estate developer, Mr. Leo M. Berstein, who by chance happened upon the small town.
Appropriately, Mr. Bernstein received the first award at the Gala Opening of the 40th Anniversary Season during a pre-show ceremony held at the Wayside Inn.
About past ceremonies...
From left to right: John Westervelt (board president), Douglas Arthur, Sr., John Horan, Jr., Michael McCool, & Warner Crocker (Artistic Director).
From left to right: Michael McCool, Douglas Arthur, Sr., John Horan, Jr, & Warner Crocker (Artistic Director).
Douglas Clay Arthur, Sr.
Doug Arthur is a veteran, runs a law office in Strasburg, and is a long time supporter of Wayside Theatre and the arts. Mr. Arthur served as a Board Member at Wayside from 2004-2009 and again in 2011, and spent much of that time as a member of the Executive Committee. His service extends to many other organizations in our community: as Town Attorney for Strasburg for 25 years, as a member of the Board of Directors at Shentel, as Chairman of the Board for First Bank, and as Town Attorney for Mt. Jackson. His support of the arts also goes beyond Wayside: he plays a variety of musical instruments, including guitar, bass, and ukulele, and has even done so on the Wayside Theatre stage. Additionally, Mr. Arthur’s legal expertise has been invaluable to Wayside Theatre over the years. He has a wife, Suzanne, children, Clay and Sarah, and grandchildren Hannah, Lydia, and Henry. Wayside Theatre is grateful for Doug’s service, and to his family for their support as well.
Michael McCool & National Media Services
A former member of the Air Force, Mike McCool is the owner of National Media Services, a business located in Front Royal, VA. Mr. McCool served as a member on the Wayside Board of Directors from 2009-2011. During his tenure on the board, and as of today, Mr. McCool prints the program booklets for the theatre at a discounted rate. The beautiful playbills many of you in the audience hold in your hands are thanks, in large part, to Mike McCool and National Media Service’s dedication to Wayside Theatre. Mr. McCool has also served on the Board of Zoning Appeals in Front Royal and is the Current President of Dance Club Shenandoah. He has been married to his wife, Jane, for 40 years.
John Horan, Jr.
Many of you, in the past, may have looked in the Northern Virginia Daily to see what John Horan thought of a production at Wayside Theatre before coming to see it! Mr. Horan is an accomplished writer, having received top honors in Critical or Editorial Writing almost every year from 2002-2010 from the Virginia Press Association. His writing also contributed to the Northern Virginia Daily receiving the Sweepstakes Award in 2011 for the 12th consecutive year. Mr. Horan has helped Wayside through his astute criticisms, dedication to reviewing many of our shows, and long-time status as a Wayside subscriber. John and his wife Donna are often seen in the audience of our productions, and we thank them for their commitment and perseverance.
