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Actors Equity salutes Connie McMillan

By Michael Barnes | Saturday, February 11, 2012, 11:48 PM

There is no art without audience. And yet, how often do artists honor their outstanding audience members? I’ll give you a few minutes to consider that one.

Connie McMillan and Bill McMillan (unrelated)

Actors Equity, the union for theater actors and stage managers, makes an exception through the Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award. Named for a longtime member of the Los Angeles theater family, it has gone to 19 honorees — some actors, but also producers, dressers, patrons and others. Before this week, two awards had gone to Austinites: Austin Playhouse artistic director Don Toner and performer/patron Dirk Van Allen.

Angela Bennett and Michele Collins

The latest winner from Austin is Connie McMillan. I venture to say that nobody has seen more Austin theater from the house than McMillan. Since the early 1970s, while serving as box office manager and other theatrical roles, she has attended almost every local production of any merit. She doesn’t volunteer her opinion often, but if asked, she’ll be frank, if kind.

Ann Ciccolella, Babs George and Alex Alford

Those who wrote nominating letters read the recommendations of other nominators, an effective way to thoroughly document McMillan’s many contributions, including financial gifts to countless theater groups. She was gracious and eloquent in acceptance.