Averill Award Ceremony

The Averill Award | A Summer Youth Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award

Join us as we honor 51 years of Summer Youth Theatre and celebrate 50 years of The Lawrence Arts Center with a lifetime achievement award presented to Kari Paludan-Sorey, spectacular performances to launch the 2024 SYT Season, cupcakes, and champagne!  This 2nd Annual Award Ceremony recognizes a Summer Youth Theatre alum and honors their work and dedication in the field of performing arts.

DETAILS

Free and open to the public

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Performances & Award Ceremony at 6:30 pm

Cash Bar with champagne & treats

Kari Paludan

An “outstanding voice,” according to the Washington Post, Lawrence, Kansas native Karin Paludan works in opera, recital, operetta, cabaret and musical theater and also works extensively in educational and community outreach through Washington Performing Arts, the National Symphony Orchestra and Music For Autism. Performing as a soloist in opera and recital she has performed throughout the United States with such companies as Community Concerts, New York City Opera, the Utah Festival Opera and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, at The Kennedy Center, The Library of Congress, The National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian. Karin is also a past regional Metropolitan Opera National Council award winner. Performance collaborations include “The Music of the Mind” with The Paludan Sisters, “George, Ira and Friends” and “For Art For Love” with pianist. Wes McCune, “2 Divas” with NSO violinist, Marissa Regni, and recitals with pianist, Nikola Paskalov, and their vocal-piano duo, Paludan Paskalov. Other recent performances include Rosalinda in “Die Fledermaus” with Western Plains Opera and Paludan Paskalov collaborations with Bowen McCauley Dance Company at the Kennedy Center and at the opening of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. An artist committed to connecting communities through the power of music, she believes we all have the potential to raise our voices and change the world.