Jennifer Jackson receives a standing ovation for her recognition at the Fourth Annual MONTI Community Theater Awards show at Center Place, Aug. 21, 2009. Jackson received the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her 29 years with Plant City Entertainment. Past recipients of the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award are Gail Pierce (2006), Wayne Otto (2007), and Jame McCabe (2008).

Jennifer Jackson's Acceptance Speech:
It does help to be a little bit prepared because maybe, I can make it through without becoming a blubbering mess.

To be recognized for something I have loved doing for so many years, with people whom I pale in comparison to, is just amazing and I am so very humbled; very.

Kim said it best when she said that when she looked at the ballot she was more thrilled to be able to consider everyone she knew on it as friends. I feel the same way. To be in the company of people like Gail Pierce, Jim McCabe, and Wayne Otto is very special.

People, young and old, join and come back to community theatre not because of the paycheck. I believe they come back because of the friendships, those of you in this room.

Someone once told me, as a director, that their time was far too valuable to “sit around." At first it hurt my feelings, but that was okay, because it made me take notice of people’s time and to take value in their time, to the best of my ability. It only took me working under one screaming director to know that wasn’t how I wanted to be (key word here, “wanted"). I was also told that sometimes what makes someone so extraordinarily talented makes them a bit on the difficult side off the stage.

And along with all the creative side, then there is the business side. The not- so much-fun side.The side that makes the rules; enforces the rules; pays the bills; balances the bills; files the necessary paperwork; puts out the publicity, sells ads, tickets, etc.; negotiates with venues; cleans toilets; sells the hotdogs; makes the brownies; puts out the posters; and everything else. And again, I took note of all of that. I have taken a lot of notes over the years. The tidbits of advice, along with many, many more, are why, I think, I am still here.

I stand here today with this wonderful theatre community and say to you that I am here because of a few people in Plant City, through the Arts Council of Plant City, decided to test the waters for community theatre in our city. Notably, Barbara Kent, whom I am honored is here this evening. And during the past 29 years (this month) I have strived to make those people who came before me proud and to do my very best to not disappoint them. Because of them I have strived, with many others, to keep theatre alive because I know the positive impact it has made on my life, and that each of you continue to make on my life. My wish is to encourage new talent, both on and off stage. To make people understand that community theatre isn’t just about being a “star” or being “in charge” but it is about everything from production to concessions, ours so magnificently orchestrated by Frank and Shirley Outen.

I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me and I stand side- by-side, shoulder- to-shoulder, with each of you here tonight. I would love to say something special about everyone here in this room, and those who can’t be here tonight (the cast and crew of Joseph), who mean so very much to me (and I could, you know I could), but I know I would miss someone in a speech, even though they are each a part of my heart. But I have to call out to the Ya-Yas, each one of whom I met through this “hobby” known as theatre: Kim through Ghost for Rent performed on hay bails and plywood; Dodie through South Pacific and Sandy through Godspell. I love you ALL more than my luggage!

Thanks to The MONTI's for bringing all of our theatre families together. I have to say that it put a fire under me to get out there and support our fellow theatres to the best of my ability. I hope it has each of you. I have been on stage or directed so many of you in this room, but I am friends with far more of you in this room – that is my blessing.

Thank you to our current President, Dr. Hal Brewer and Plant City Entertainment who allowed a 19-year-old girl to take the stage, who encouraged her to direct, who put faith in her to lead, and who has supported her in the best and worst of times in her life.

I want to thank my husband, David, who met me backstage 22 years ago (during Bye, Bye Birdie). He has supported me, like many in the room supported your loved ones, not only supported me but sometimes had to tolerate all the hours, joys and tears that go along with this “hobby” of mine. To Jacob, who was born during our production of The Christmas Carol in 1982; to Samantha, who was born during the summer of South Pacific, in 1988, and passed away after Camelot in the summer of 1993; to Natalie, who was born during our production of Grease in 1994; and Mallory, who was born during PCE’s Christmas break in 1994. Words can’t express how YOU, not those shows, are the greatest productions in my life! And to my Mom and brother, Ric, (who is quite a theatre talent on stage and directing) who are here this evening and my Dad who couldn’t be (and I thank you for all your prayers). Their applause, love and support began long before my community theatre years! I love you all and thank you.

The first line I had on the PCE stage has stuck with me to this day (okay everyone, I know I can’t remember the lines I have now). [The line is]: ”There are watchers in this world and there are doers in this world and the watchers sit around and watch the doers do." (Barefoot in the Park, Corie Bratter.)

"Doing" theatre requires both and sometimes at the same time.

So I close by saying, thank you so much for this tremendous honor.

Jennifer Jackson receives a standing ovation for her recognition at the Fourth Annual MONTI Community Theater Awards show at Center Place, Aug. 21, 2009. Jackson received the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her 29 years with Plant City Entertainment. Past recipients of the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award are Gail Pierce (2006), Wayne Otto (2007), and Jame McCabe (2008).

Jennifer Jackson's Acceptance Speech:
It does help to be a little bit prepared because maybe, I can make it through without becoming a blubbering mess.

To be recognized for something I have loved doing for so many years, with people whom I pale in comparison to, is just amazing and I am so very humbled; very.

Kim said it best when she said that when she looked at the ballot she was more thrilled to be able to consider everyone she knew on it as friends. I feel the same way. To be in the company of people like Gail Pierce, Jim McCabe, and Wayne Otto is very special.

People, young and old, join and come back to community theatre not because of the paycheck. I believe they come back because of the friendships, those of you in this room.

Someone once told me, as a director, that their time was far too valuable to “sit around." At first it hurt my feelings, but that was okay, because it made me take notice of people’s time and to take value in their time, to the best of my ability. It only took me working under one screaming director to know that wasn’t how I wanted to be (key word here, “wanted"). I was also told that sometimes what makes someone so extraordinarily talented makes them a bit on the difficult side off the stage.

And along with all the creative side, then there is the business side. The not- so much-fun side.The side that makes the rules; enforces the rules; pays the bills; balances the bills; files the necessary paperwork; puts out the publicity, sells ads, tickets, etc.; negotiates with venues; cleans toilets; sells the hotdogs; makes the brownies; puts out the posters; and everything else. And again, I took note of all of that. I have taken a lot of notes over the years. The tidbits of advice, along with many, many more, are why, I think, I am still here.

I stand here today with this wonderful theatre community and say to you that I am here because of a few people in Plant City, through the Arts Council of Plant City, decided to test the waters for community theatre in our city. Notably, Barbara Kent, whom I am honored is here this evening. And during the past 29 years (this month) I have strived to make those people who came before me proud and to do my very best to not disappoint them. Because of them I have strived, with many others, to keep theatre alive because I know the positive impact it has made on my life, and that each of you continue to make on my life. My wish is to encourage new talent, both on and off stage. To make people understand that community theatre isn’t just about being a “star” or being “in charge” but it is about everything from production to concessions, ours so magnificently orchestrated by Frank and Shirley Outen.

I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me and I stand side- by-side, shoulder- to-shoulder, with each of you here tonight. I would love to say something special about everyone here in this room, and those who can’t be here tonight (the cast and crew of Joseph), who mean so very much to me (and I could, you know I could), but I know I would miss someone in a speech, even though they are each a part of my heart. But I have to call out to the Ya-Yas, each one of whom I met through this “hobby” known as theatre: Kim through Ghost for Rent performed on hay bails and plywood; Dodie through South Pacific and Sandy through Godspell. I love you ALL more than my luggage!

Thanks to The MONTI's for bringing all of our theatre families together. I have to say that it put a fire under me to get out there and support our fellow theatres to the best of my ability. I hope it has each of you. I have been on stage or directed so many of you in this room, but I am friends with far more of you in this room – that is my blessing.

Thank you to our current President, Dr. Hal Brewer and Plant City Entertainment who allowed a 19-year-old girl to take the stage, who encouraged her to direct, who put faith in her to lead, and who has supported her in the best and worst of times in her life.

I want to thank my husband, David, who met me backstage 22 years ago (during Bye, Bye Birdie). He has supported me, like many in the room supported your loved ones, not only supported me but sometimes had to tolerate all the hours, joys and tears that go along with this “hobby” of mine. To Jacob, who was born during our production of The Christmas Carol in 1982; to Samantha, who was born during the summer of South Pacific, in 1988, and passed away after Camelot in the summer of 1993; to Natalie, who was born during our production of Grease in 1994; and Mallory, who was born during PCE’s Christmas break in 1994. Words can’t express how YOU, not those shows, are the greatest productions in my life! And to my Mom and brother, Ric, (who is quite a theatre talent on stage and directing) who are here this evening and my Dad who couldn’t be (and I thank you for all your prayers). Their applause, love and support began long before my community theatre years! I love you all and thank you.

The first line I had on the PCE stage has stuck with me to this day (okay everyone, I know I can’t remember the lines I have now). [The line is]: ”There are watchers in this world and there are doers in this world and the watchers sit around and watch the doers do." (Barefoot in the Park, Corie Bratter.)

"Doing" theatre requires both and sometimes at the same time.

So I close by saying, thank you so much for this tremendous honor.