The Dallas Children’s Theater is truly a magnet for families of all generations. It’s been that way since it was founded by Robyn Baker Flatt and Dennis Vincent in 1984. When it was only four years old, Laurie Sands Harrison learned they were looking for a new “home.” They had been using Withers Elementary School to “respond to the growing need for professional family theater.” It was at that time that Laurie’s mom, Caroline Rose Hunt, was no longer in need of the marketing center across the way from the Crescent Court complex. Instead of letting the space go empty, Caroline agreed that the DCT could move in as long as they promised to “keep it busy.” Fast-forward 12 years: Dallas real estate was booming and the marketing center was part of the explosion. Caroline had bad news and good news. The DCT needed to “get crackin’ ” and find a new home. But the good news was almost too good to be true. She would help with the financing of the new facility at Skillman and Northwest Highway. Yes, it used to be a bowling alley, but it was perfect in so many other ways — location, room to grow, parking, etc. It just needed a little readjusting.
This history was shared by DCT Associate Artistic Director Artie Olaisen with the 280 guests at the 2013 Rosewood Awards, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” on Friday, May 17, at the DCT.
And speaking of family, Caroline’s was all around: daughter Laurie, who initiated the relationship back in the 1980’s and was honorary chair; grandkids Courtenay Sands and Katheryn Sands plus Rosemary Sands along with mom Laura Sands who was co-chairing the event with Mickie Bragalone, Carole Jordan and Craig Sutton. In addition to Caroline’s Individual Benefactor Award for her being “remarkable and visionary. . . an iconic spirit and imaginative powerhouse,” the following were also honored:
- the late David Millet of Millet the Printer, who was posthumously awarded the Corporate/Foundation Award, was a lover of the arts and a great promoter of DCT. He invested in DCT and helped with promotional materials over the years, “even when payment at the moment was iffy.”
- Vinson & Elkins attorney Jim Markus received the Special Recognition Award for coordinating the firm’s 43 lawyers to provide more than 400 hours of pro bono work for DCT.
- former county judge Margaret Keliher also received the Special Recognition Award for her years of serving on the DCT board. In addition to sharing her award with her husband Lester, she “credited her parents for insisting that she and her siblings be exposed to live theater.”
And since this was a theatrical program, a simple handover of the award wouldn’t do. As each was announced, a special tune or reading was performed.
Of course, you want to know what the selections were, so here they are:
- David Millet — Gary Floyd sang “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” from “Oklahoma!”
- Margaret Keliher — Laura Lites sang “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked”
- Jim Markus — Emily Ford and Jonathan Bragg sang a medley from “West Side Story” and
- Caroline Rose Hunt — Sally Fiorello did a reading from Caroline’s book, “Primrose Past: the 1848 Journal of Young Lady Primrose.”
The evening started out in front of the theater under a tent. The organizers weren’t leaving chance to Mother Nature. Margaret Keliher was sporting a white corsage from her husband Lester, who admitted that his mother would have killed him if he hadn’t. . . Charlene Howell said she broke her left wrist crossing the street in front of the London Ritz-Carlton on April 18. Since spending five hours in the hospital that amounted to a $6,900 bill, she’s had Carrell Clinic’s Dr. Bo Frederick surgically putting her wrist back together again. . . Kate Rose Marquez explained one of the reasons for accepting the chairmanship of the Community Partners of Dallas’ “Change is Good” was CPD Executive Director Paige McDaniel: “If Paige calls me at midnight and tells me to meet her at the Greyhound bus station, I’ll do it.” . . Among the other guests were Marlene and John Sughrue, Mark Lank, David Millet’s daughter Dana Millet, Lynn Dealey, Daniel Holguin, Sara and David Martineau and Olive Anne and George McLaughlin.
As for supper, it was strictly grown-up fare including Mediterranean Salad “Martini”; peppercorn-crusted beef sirloin, lemon caper glazed breast of chicken, creamy risotto, grilled asparagus; and miniature desserts and coffee stations.
Here’s a little trivia that you may not know: The collection of more than 1,000 Kathy Burks Theater of Puppetry Arts puppets are stored at DCT.
Yvonne Crum says
It was the most beautiful evening for Caroline.. and the singer that sang “The Rose” brought me to my knees.. it was such an upbeat live live audience that loves their musicals.. and Mr. B.J. Reynolds as emcee.. terrific.. the Grandchildren and great grandchildren of Caroline were so amazing with their remarks.. all in all just a beautiful evening.. and love the outdoor pre party in the Wyly Garden.. I had to get Mayo to a Chair but love that it was being used for such a great thing.. Charles would have loved seeing that.. and of course we all got to look for our bricks.. speaking of bricks.. more on that later.. LOL great evening for a great lady.. thanks MSC… perfect!