Highlands Little Theatre - Christopher Friend

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

Christopher Friend - October, 2005 Gracie Award Winner
By: Roy Riedy

Christopher Friend has been involved in five plays and one Zenon event since he joined HLT seven years ago. He made his first appearance on the Lakeside Playhouse stage as a Lollipop Guide in Melanie Angus Boulay's memorable November 1998, presentation of The Wizard of Oz. Christopher's second appearance was in August 2000, when he was seen as one of Fagin's Boys in Melanie Angus Boulay's reprisal of Lional Bart's musical, Oliver!

During the Thirty-first season Chris was involved with three of HLT's offerings: in November 2004, he appeared as Winthrop, in Frank Oberhausen's revival of Meredith Willson's famous musical The Music Man; in January, 2005, he was a member of the Set Construction Crew for Peter Pollard's comedy, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; and in March, 2005, he was a third of the Set Art Team for Kathy MacNeill's challenging circus musical, Barnum. Chris ended the season with the honor of being chosen to open the Twentieth Annual Zenon Awards Ceremony by welcoming the audience to that milestone event. His involvement with theater extends beyond the walls of HLT, Chris has also been involved in theatrical productions at the Sebring Middle School.

Christopher Friend's dedication to Highlands Little Theatre was recognized in a tangible way by HLT's Board of Directors in October 2005, when he was awarded the Gracie Award for the month of October.

Past President Goldie Garnich, who nominated Chris for the October Gracie, had this to say about the young recipient: "He has been an enormous help at the theater; in gourmet, house managing, painting, moving furniture, set construction, vacuuming and general housecleaning of the theater for events. He is actually the right-hand man to Vanessa Logston, our Administrative Assistant.

Christopher Friend just loves the theater and expressed his desire to attend Florida State University for drama when the time comes. Break a Leg, Chris, We're all behind you."

Congratulations Chris for your resolute labors at HLT, you have taken the correct path to fulfill your college goals. Everyone at the Little Theatre looks forward to watch your star ascend.