Andrew L. Barnett, Marblehead Little Theatre’s facility manager and technical director, was honored last month with Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatre’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors individuals whose dedication has had a “profoundly significant impact” on their organization and the field of theater.
The MLT Board of Directors nomination of Barnett noted “he has been the heart and soul of MLT for over three decades,” a timeline that began with his sons’ involvement in theater.
As facilities manager, Barnett has been the steward of the converted firehouse structure at 12 School St. which has been the home of MLT productions since 2006. From supervising needed maintenance to helping to secure grants for improvements, the board noted his ability to find ways to accomplish what seems impossible — from building a tricky set piece to helping to secure grant funding and forging important relationships with other community relationships including Coastline Ballet, the Salem Girls and Boys Club and Marblehead High School’s Drama Club.
The board nomination also highlighted Barnett’s artistic and administrative contributions including producing several shows, designing numerous sets and building most of them since 1993, “magically transforming [MLT’s] black box theater into other worlds.”
An enthusiastic supporter of MLT’s robust children’s program, he also designs and builds the sets for the children’s shows.
“In truth, I view this award as a recognition of the caliber and collaboration of the entire MLT organization — the donors, the board, the actors, directors and producers, and the quality of the shows MLT selects each season. It also acknowledges Marblehead itself as an established art and performance community,” Barnett said.
To learn more about MLT, visit mltlive.org.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
