The East Lynne Theater Company was founded in 1980 to produce provocative classics and history-based contemporary entertainment that deal with the uniquely American experience. The Equity professional actors, directors, musicians, and designers work together throughout the year to create quality productions not seen anywhere else. When patrons experience ELTC productions, they witness the company's engaging perspective on American theater and its unique contribution to the world of theater.

When you see an East Lynne performance, you see actors on stage, but supporting their work is a group of administrative, technical, and artistic people. And behind them is a group of individuals and businesses who support the company. Without the collaboration of all of these people, there would be no show. Your applause is not only for the actors but for all the other collaborators as well. It is only by this means that East Lynne is able to keep ticket prices reasonable and maintain artistic quality.

AWARDING THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE THEATER

The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the consortium of Equity professional nonprofit theaters in NJ, established The Annual Applause Awards to honor those who support these theaters. Almost every year, a theater may choose someone to honor. In the past few years, ELTC has honored the following:

• 2003: The Craig Family, proprietors of The Washington Inn, Lucky Bones, Love the Cook, and The Cape May Winery

• 2005: Al and Sue DeRosa of The Cliveden Inn

• 2007: ELTC Board President Frank L. Smith
• 2008: Peg and Tom Curran and Curran Investment Management
• 2009: East Lynne Theater Company and Paper Mill Playhouse were honored by NJTA
• 2010: Mark Edward Lang for his graphic design and web design work and Marion T. Brady for her costume designs, both having worked for ELTC for minimum of 10 years.

Pictures from past Applause Awards: Above: Al and Sue DeRosa, with Artistic Director Gayle Stahlhuth, Frank Smith, Board Member Steve Haas, Technical Director Lee O'Connor, Advisory Board Member Michele LaRue

David Craig, who represented the Craig family, Frank Smith, Board Members Peg Curran and Patti Chambers, and Gayle Stahlhuth and Lee O'Connor. (Photo credit for both: Jerry Dalia)

The South Jersey Cultural Alliance, the consortium of nonprofit organizations in eight counties in South Jersey, has its own Encore Awards to honor supporters of the Alliance as well as individual organizations:

• In 2007, ELTC honored Caitlin Wallace, who worked as an intern/production assistant for ELTC for four years, and graduated from Lower Cape May Regional High in 2007
• 2008: Ralph Valeri, ELTC's Board Vice President and tireless advocate for the arts, who lost his battle with cancer in December; 2008
• 2009: Gus Andy, owner of La Mer Beachfront Inn in Cape May, who has been a Season Sponsor since 2006
• 2010: Barbara and Mary Morris of The Henry Sawyer Inn, who have supported ELTC through Show Sponships and other ways since 1990.
• 2011: ELTC will be honoring The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May where ELTC has considered home since 1999

FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Fundraising events can be large or intimate. For the past few Novembers, ELTC has presented "Supper Clubs" at the Pelican Club and Aleathea's at the Inn of Cape May.

On Nov. 12, 2009, ELTC served up "The Ultimate Theater Party: Celebrating 30 Years of ELTC."  Board Members Mark Lang, Karen Case Cook, Patti Chambers and Alison Murphy compiled scenes from plays that ELTC had produced during the last 10 years, and local personalities performed these scenes with the "Pros."

The local celebs received "Lynnie Awards," and pictured above with their awards are Shirley Stiles, Candace O'Donnell, Ed Henry, Susan Tischler, Jim Moffat, Bernie Haas, Michael Clark, Laurie Johnson, Vicki Clark, Terri Swain and Teresa Henry. Corbin Cogswell (not pictured) also received an award.

Karen Case Cook and Mark Edward Lang (pictured at left) hosted the evening.   A number of ELTC favorites also helped out: Phil Pizzi, Bobby LeMaire, Rob LeMaire, Marty McDonough, Fred Velde, Tiffany-Leigh Moskow, Daisy Ouzts and Lee O'Connor. Board members Joann Oxley, Frank Smith and Marguerite Chandler were right there, too, helping to manage the raffle, and the seating chart, and the thank you notes, etc.!  Irene Shreiner and Robin Grant made centerpieces. Aleathea's at the Inn of Cape May served up delicious hors d'oeuvres and dinner, and the 205 people had a great time! There was a storm raging outside, and we still had a full house! The Board honored Frank Smith, Lee O'Connor, and Gayle Stahlhuth for their years of service to the company. The Historic Jackson Street Neighborhood Association Scholarship in the name of Bob and Toni Green was announced: Bobby LeMaire, who played the title role in ELTC's The Ransom of Red Chief.

OUR NOVEMBER 11, 2010 celebrated the American Troupes and Veterans.  The next one is on Thursday November 10.  See you there!

On a smaller scale, individuals, in their homes, have thrown delightful fundraisers for ELTC. For the past three years, Elizabeth and Stuart Hodes in NYC have sponsored *Afternoon Soirees* with entertainment and refreshments. In April 2008, Richmond Shreve celebrated the publication of his new book, Lost River Anthology: Rites of Passage, with a dinner in West Cape May. Marguerite Chandler headed up the event. In April 2006, Richmond and Marguerite sponsored an ELTC fundraiser in their Cape May Point home, where guests had fun taking roles in a reading of Act Three of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. In 2006 and 2007, Board President Frank Smith arranged for bus trips to Peddler's Village in Pennsylvania.