Kamps Memorial Award
Given by Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre
BDACT seeks candidates for Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Award
The Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (BDACT) is accepting applications for the Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Award, established by the Kamps family in 2016. The $500 award, distributed for the past five years, will be granted to a 2022 high school graduate who has been actively engaged in BDACT and other theater activities and is pursuing post-high school education.
Who is eligible:
Graduating seniors from Beaver Dam High School, Wayland Academy, and area high schools are eligible.
How to apply:
All candidates for the award must complete an application listing their theater activities and write a one-page essay stating, “Why theater is especially important to me and my community…” Download application forms below. The completed application and essay must be postmarked and sent to “Kamps Award” BDACT, 117 W. Maple Avenue, Beaver Dam, WI 53916, or emailed to the Managing Director no later than June 1, 2022.
The selection process:
Selection is based on credit points for on-stage and back-stage responsibilities, including participation with BDACT and its Tell-A-Tale Children’s Theatre, participation in high school productions, or participation in other theater or theater-related community activities in the surrounding area. In consideration of the recent COVID restrictions, online production activity may also be included for credit points. At least one-fourth of the applicant’s activities must be with BDACT.
The committee’s average from the essay points plus the theater activity points will equal the applicant’s final total. Final selection is based upon the point totals and the overall determination of the Award Committee. It is the intent of the award committee to choose a deserving award recipient annually; however, it is within the sole discretion of the award committee to determine whether there is a deserving recipient each year.
About Jerome H. Kamps
Jerome H. Kamps was a charter member and co-founder of Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre, established in 1964, and a dedicated Beaver Dam High School art teacher for thirty-four years. He was set designer and director of set painting for more than sixty high school plays during his teaching career. From 1964 until just before his death on May 4, 2015, he also designed and directed set painting for many BDACT productions. He particularly encouraged and gave enthusiastic support to young people as he helped them discover and demonstrate their art talents at school and through community projects. Among those projects was a large barn mural, part of a state-wide project sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board. One of his favorite BDACT projects was the extraordinary set for Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, in 1995. Given his example as a dedicated “back-stage worker” who gave his talents and love for the arts unconditionally, the Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Award will especially acknowledge those characteristics.