At the Seattle Gregory Awards on Tuesday, October 29, Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Managing Director John Bradshaw received the inaugural Melissa Hines Award for Outstanding Theatre Practitioner. The award honors an individual working behind the scenes to make theatre possible. “I love this theatre community,” said a surprised Bradshaw after he was named the honoree. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn introduced the award and Scott Nolte, Artistic Director of Taproot Theatre Company, presented the award to Bradshaw.
John Bradshaw and Melissa Hines worked together at the Empty Space Theatre where she was Managing Director for 16 years before working as a funding program manager at the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. An experienced arts administrator and dedicated public servant, Hines preferred to stay out of the spotlight, instead working tirelessly behind the scenes. Hines passed away from cancer in April 2011. Bradshaw was chosen for the award by the Gregory Awards Committee after a community call for nominations.