BDACT seeks candidates for Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Award

The Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre is accepting applications for the Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Award. The $500 award, which was established by the Kamps family in 2016, will be granted to a 2025 high school graduate who has been actively engaged in BDACT and other theater activities and is pursuing a post-high school education. 

Graduating seniors from Beaver Dam High School, Wayland Academy and area high schools are eligible. Selection is based on credit points for onstage and backstage 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 area. Online production activity may also be included for credit points. At least one-fourth of the applicant’s activities must be with BDACT. 

Candidates for the award must complete an application, which includes listing their theater activities and writing a short essay on “Why theater is especially important to me and my community.” The Jerome H. Kamps Memorial Award Application Form is available on the BDACT website. The completed form and essay should be emailed to [email protected] by June 1, 2025. The award committee’s intent is to choose a deserving award recipient annually; however, it is within the discretion of the committee to make that determination.  

The late Jerome Kamps was a co-founder and charter member of the community theater and an art teacher at Beaver Dam High School for 34 years. During his teaching career, Jerome Kamps designed sets and directed set painting for more than 60 high school plays and many BDACT productions. He also was active in a variety of Beaver Dam community projects and organizations, particularly the Beaver Dam Area Arts Association and the Dodge County Historical Society museum. In honor of Kamps’ example as a dedicated behind-the-scenes volunteer who gave his talents and love for the arts unconditionally, the committee will especially recognize those characteristics in the award candidates. 

More information can be found on the application form. If you have any questions, please contact Managing Director David Alan Smith at 920.885.6891 Ext. 2 or [email protected]