Clear Space honors two with Spotlight Award

At its annual Black Tie and Barefoot gala Sept. 10, Clear Space paid tribute to Valorie Jarrell and Aleta Thompson, the winners of its 2016 Spotlight Award. Chris Berg, chair of Clear Space's board of directors, lauded the winners' years of support. "We are so excited to present this year's award to Valorie and Aleta! These women served as founding board members of Clear Space Theatre Co., and both have contributed significantly to Clear Space's success since its founding in 2004. Their sustained contributions have done so much to assure we could achieve our mission of bringing live theater to the beach, and their tireless work to ensure our success has benefited the entire community,” said Berg.

Jarrell, also a founding member of the improvisational troupe Delaware Comedy Theatre, moved to Lewes in 2002. A longtime theater enthusiast, Jarrell says, "I caught the acting bug in college in a production of “The Dutchman” before a truly captive audience at the Muncie State Correctional Facility." In addition to her work behind the scenes, Jarrell has performed in many Clear Space productions, including “Deathtrap,” “Lips Together Teeth Apart,” “Sordid Lives,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Company,” and also performs with the Delaware Comedy Theatre.

Thompson, who retired from the Cape Henlopen School District as a curriculum and instructional specialist, has been involved in local theater organizations and productions for the past 30 years. She has served in many capacities, ranging from director to stagehand to performer; she recently appeared on stage at Clear Space in “The Odd Couple” and “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” Together with Elaine Faye, Thompson organized the production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore” as a new community outreach initiative for Clear Space.

Wesley Paulson, executive director of Clear Space, applauded Jarrell's and Thompson's commitment and dedication to Clear Space over the years. "Clear Space is thrilled to be among the beneficiaries of these women's time and talents. We have just concluded our best-ever summer season, with ticket sales topping those of all previous years. Our performance schedule was packed – and so were our seats! Our success is a testament to what can be achieved when people like Valorie and Aleta commit themselves, over many years, to assuring an endeavor's success. It's an honor to present them with our 2016 Spotlight Award – a modest token of our eternal gratitude," said Paulson.

For more information, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org.