MLT’s Andrew Barnett honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Marblehead, Mass. – Andrew L. Barnett, Marblehead Little Theatre’s Facilities Manager and Technical Director, was honored last month with Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatre’s [EMACT] prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors individuals whose dedication has had a profoundly significant impact on their organization and to the field of theatre.

The MLT Board of Directors' nomination of Barnett noted “he has been the heart and soul of MLT for over three decades,” a timeline that began with his sons’ involvement in theater.

As facilities manager, Barnett has been the steward of the converted firehouse structure at 12 School Street which has been the home of MLT productions since 2006. From supervising needed maintenance to helping to secure grants for improvements, the board noted his ability to find ways to accomplish what seems impossible – from building a tricky set piece to helping to secure grant funding and forging important relationships with other community organizations including Coastline Ballet, the Salem Girls and Boys Club and Marblehead High School’s drama club.

The board nomination also highlighted his artistic and administrative contributions including producing several shows, designing numerous sets and building most of them since 1993, “magically transforming [MLT’s] black box theater into other worlds.” An enthusiastic supporter of MLT’s robust children’s program and its professional staff of director, assistant director and music director, with a team of volunteers, he also designs and builds the sets for the children’s shows with the meticulous care and attention he gives the mainstage productions.

“In truth, I view this award as a recognition of the caliber and collaboration of the entire MLT organization – the donors, the board, the actors, directors and producers, and the quality of the shows MLT selects each season. It also acknowledges Marblehead itself as an established art and performance community,” Barnett said.

About MLT

Since its founding in the 1940’s, eight decades later MLT has one of the oldest community theatre groups in New England as well as one of the few to have produced shows each year. For more information about MLT and its upcoming productions and programs, visit mlt-live.org. If you call MLT at 781-631-9697, you’re very likely to speak to Barnett directly.

About EMACT

Since its founding in 1985, member groups of the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters extend from Boston to Worcester and from Braintree to Marblehead. Member groups must have a Board of Directors from the community the group serves. EMACT celebrates its members’ achievements through an annual awards event culminating in an Annual Gala and presentations of annual award trophies in over 45 categories of excellence, known as the DASH Awards (Distinguished Acting Special Honors). For more information, visit emact.org.

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