The Ed-Ro-Char Award for Technical Excellence
Established in 1996
Ed Payne was an architect who enjoyed using his design skills to create innovative sets within the parameters of the playwright’s intent, the director’s thrust and the limitations of the stage. He designed sets and lights, directed and was a fine actor and singer as well. Ed worked with many of the theatre companies in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Robert “Rolo” Nickerson was a mentor and coach to many of the actors and technicians in the area. He worked with many groups, including The Burtonsville Players, Prince George’s Little Theatre, Rockville Musical Theatre and The Adelphians. He appeared with Ed Payne many times and excelled in the technical aspects of theatre craft.
Char Harre was a brilliant costume designer as well as a director, actress and set designer. Char knew what look would be right for what scene and how to achieve that look on a shoestring budget. She worked with almost all the groups in the area at one time or another, especially when she owned a costume shop in Hyattsville
Ed-Ro-Char Recipients |
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| Year | Recipient/Group | Production |
| 1996 | Jane Wingard / The Pasadena Theatre Company | Home At Six |
| 1997 | Cheryl Anne Costa / Silver Spring Stage | The Berdache |
| 1998 | Jack Sbarbori / Silver Spring Stage | Midnight Caller |
| 1999 | Lori Murray Sampson / Silver Spring Stage | Tracking Angel |
| 2000 | Stephanie Mumford / Silver Spring Stage | A Little Trick |
| 2001 | Jeff Merritt / Port Tobacco Players | Tone Clusters |
| 2002 | Richard and Deanne Highby / Port Tobacco Players | Lone Star |
| 2003 | Bridget Muehlberger / Silver Spring Stage | Sticks and Stones |
| 2004 | Spence Watson / Thurmont Thespians | Talking With |
| 2005 | Spence Watson / Thurmont Thespians | Bake Off |
| 2006 | Spence Watson / Thurmont Thespians | Foul Territory |
| 2007 | Spence Watson / Thurmont Thespians | Rounding Third |
| 2008 | Montgomery Playhouse | The Last Good Night |
| 2009 | Spence Watson / Thurmont Thespians | Almost Maine |
| 2010 | The Newtowne Players | Butterfly |
| 2011 | Port Tobacco Players | Ferry Boat |
| 2012 | Montgomery Playhouse | Pillow Talk |
| 2013 | Spence Watson / Thurmont Thespians | Gidion’s Knot |
| 2014 | Bob Scott / Silver Spring Stage | The Widow of Tom’s Hill |
| 2015 | Jeff Merritt and John Merritt / Port Tobacco Players | Superhero Sanitarium |
| 2017 | Rick Thompson / New Direction Community Theater |
The Helpless Director Zone |
| 2018 | Jennifer Cooper / Colonial Players | The Universal Language |
| 2020 | Design Team / Port Tobacco Players | True Colors |
| 2022 | Bruce Hirsch | The Last Nickel |
| 2023 | Rockville Little Theatre | Pride@Prejudice |
| 2024 | Rockville Little Theatre | Funeral for the Cat |
| 2025 | Arindam Ghosh / Ebong TheatriX | Avinash |