BUCKHANNON — The first annual “Jim Knorr Award” will be presented at the Colonial Theatre Benefit on Saturday, June 23^rd.  The award is sponsored by the Buckhannon Community Theatre (BCT) and will honor his many years of service and contribution to the arts in Upshur County.

Knorr was the vocal music teacher and choir director at the Buckhannon-Upshur High School and was on the Buckhannon City Council for 10 years, serving as Mayor of Buckhannon for 6 years.  He is considered the founding father of the Buckhannon Community Theatre.  He directed many of the theatre’s first shows bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to become actors, singers, dancers, directors and stagehands.  He multi-tasked by producing and performing lead stage roles in productions.  He was the Executive Producer on the Board of Directors for many years and remained actively involved in the theatre in later years serving on the theatre’s board as well as performing in several “A Night on Broadway” productions.

“My Father continues to care deeply about the Buckhannon Community Theatre, his students and the community,” said his daughter Cheryl Foster.  “He was always looking for ways to bring people together through music.  Theatre, music and Buckhannon are the focus of my Dad’s life.”

The First Annual Colonial Theatre Benefit, presented by ART 26201, will begin at 7:00 pm. This fundraising event will assist in raising the remaining $5,000 needed to receive the grant of $102,000 that was awarded from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts last summer.  The deadline for the $5000 to be raised is June 30^th, so donations in addition to ticket sales will be deeply appreciated.  The Theatre will be used as a community arts center with special emphasis on providing educational space for the children of our community.

The Benefit will showcase sneak previews from the “Rock of Ages” and “Junie B. Jones” by the Buckhannon Community Theatre (BCT);  a performance by the Vintage Theatre Company (VTC);  a performance by the Upshur County Youth Symphony, and several musical numbers

Tickets are $25 and include light hors d’oeuvres.  Dress is casual attire or alien costume.  All proceeds will benefit the restoration project of the Colonial Theatre.  Tickets are available online at  www.ART26201.com or at Buckhannon City Hall, Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce and at Artistry on Main.