-by Haley Culliton, March 5th 2024
We are pleased to announce that Tracey Williams Sutton, our beloved Artistic Director, has been awarded the “Distinguished Merit Award” from the American Association of Community Theaters (AACT) to honor and recognize her for her exceptional service and contributions in community theatre!
This is an award presented to individuals and organizations for their efforts to promote and develop the highest possible standards in this craft. Sutton has been a driving force in community theater and theater education for most of her life, and has been instrumental in the direction of the theater, the selection of each season’s productions, the artistic quality of each production and the development of participants in all roles at the theater. She has also been in charge of the costume area of our theater, where she helps coordinate costumes for each of the productions.
In addition to serving as OACT Artistic Director and costume supervisor, Sutton has directed at least one play every season since 2007. Those include The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!, and Hello, Dolly! Sutton has toured in several shows as an Equity actress and has appeared on stage in several shows at the Art Center including Private Lives, Wait Until Dark, 33 Variations, and Animal Crackers, among many others.
Sutton has a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts/Directing from California State University, graduate studies in Musical Theatre and Voice at Pennsylvania State University, graduate studies in Musical Theatre and Voice at University of Utah, and B.A. in Theatre and Cinematic Arts from Brigham Young University. From 2004-2015 Sutton was the Arts Chair and Instructor at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, and from 2001-2003 she was Professor of Theatre Arts at California State University. She recently retired as Drama Director at The Thacher School in Ojai, where she was responsible for choosing and directing two productions: a fall play and winter musical.
Sutton has received a long list of awards in her career, but, more importantly, she is dedicated to the enrichment of community theater. She has been an invaluable resource for people in all aspects of theater life. Her love for the Ojai Art Center and community theater is beyond reproach. We extend heartfelt congratulations and thanks to her for her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication!
