Bill Crawford Memorial Award

BILL CRAWFORD MEMORIAL AWARD (established 1988) is given on very special occasions to a person or member organization in recognition of services and devotion to OCTA and its theatres. This honors one of the founding members of OCTA. Bill Crawford was known nationally for his work as Arts Editor of the Lawton Constitution newsletter.  His great love for the arts came through loud and clear in his articles and reviews.  He always did his homework–reading plays and biographies, and articles about performers, authors, and composers.  His writings were literate, well thought out, and based on a foundation of informed knowledge, not a hypothesis.  Bill was always relied upon for his knowledge, his enthusiasm, and his wit.

History: OCTA had not previously recognized the contributions made by Mr. Crawford as one of the Founders except through the publication, OCTAGON.  This award commemorates not only his memory but also his sincere devotion and his efforts to organize, perpetuate, and to advance community theatre not only in Oklahoma but the Region and Nationally.