Highlands Little Theatre - Carole Mattson

P.O. Box 691 Sebring Florida USA 33871 Tel: 863-382-2525

Carole Mattson - A Very Remarkable Member
By: Roy Riedy

Carole Mattson has been a working member of HLT for ten years now. Her name appeared for the first time in the program of Frank Oberhausen's second production of Camelot in April, 1993, as one of the members of the Set Construction Crew. At the opening of the next Season, the Twentieth, her name appeared with the same job description in Tena Conyer's program for Nunsense II, The second coming . . . Carole worked on all the plays that season and in the second play program, Peter Pollard's gender bending comedy, The Odd Couple (Female Version), Carole was listed as part of Kitchen Staff and there she stayed for the rest of the season (indeed, her whole time with HLT) that included Frank Oberhausen's reprise of South Pacific, Tammie Pollard's hilarious Lend Me A Tenor, and Marian Dunham's presentation of Meet Me In St. Louis.

During the five plays of the Twenty-first Season Carole remained as part of the Kitchen Staff and was rewarded for this faithful service with her first Board Service Zenon at the Tenth Annual Awards Ceremony in October, 1995, that she shared with her husband, Gordy Mattson, for their contributions to Gourmet and Building Maintenance.

The Twenty-second Season was as full as the previous one and Carole was found again in the kitchen during the five performances given that year. At the close of the season, her commitment was honored by a Board Service Zenon nomination for Carole and her husband for their work in Gourmet and Shop at the Eleventh Annual Awards Ceremony.

The Twenty-third Season is a replay of the past two. Carole continued at her work in Gourmet during the five show season and at the closing Awards Ceremonies she and her husband were awarded a second Board Service Zenon for their unbroken contributions to Gourmet and Building Maintenance during that year.

The same scenario unfolded the Twenty-fourth Season. Carole worked in the kitchen during the season's five productions and at the end of the theatrical year was again nominated, with her husband, for their work in Gourmet, but this time they were also nominated for their contribution to Set Construction for the season.

Mrs. Mattson has continued to work with Gourmet which includes the latest show, the reprise of Steel Magnolias by Peter Pollard, in January and February of 2003, without missing any of the 21 shows that intervened, a silent but telling tribute to her dedication and altruism.

For the record, Carole has been associated with 48 plays, well over a third of all given by Highlands Little Theatre, and 4 Zenon Ceremonies at which she has been nominated for five awards and been honored with two. Besides her kitchen work she has been a constant companion and helper with her husband's maintenance projects at the theater. Mrs. Mattson's name has been mentioned in 12 HLT Newsletters and 5 local news articles for a total of 69 Citations. She is the perfect model of what a member can and should be. Carole Mattson, HLT salutes you!

And now, bringing this biography up to date, Carole has been awarded the Gracie Award for April, 2003, for her work with the Friday night Gourmet "A-Team." The award carried this genuine observation: " Thank you Carole, you have a special gift, a wonderful attitude, and smile, which is truly contagious!"

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