Dickinson College honored theatre and film legend Julie Harris with its Arts Award on April 9. As part of the celebration of Harris' visit, the college sponsered a "premiere" of her recent film "The First of May" at the Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center. Harris was presented with the award Monday, April 9 in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter (ATS) auditorium. An informal conversation between Harris and Karen Lordi, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, who recently directed Harris in a theater production, was part of the award ceremony. Lordi directed Harris in the play "Amber Patches" and will direct her again this fall in "As Long as it's Morning."
Harris is considered by many to be the leading American stage actress today. She has won an unprecedented five Tony Awards, the most ever won by a performer, for her roles in "I Am a Camera" (1952),"The Lark" (1956), "Forty Carats" (1969), "The Last of Mrs. Lincoln" (1973) and "The Belle of Amherst"(1977). During her film career Harris had many memorable performances, but is best known as Abra opposite James Dean in "East of Eden," Sally Bowles in "I Am a Camera" and Frankie Addams in "The Member of the Wedding." She has also been seen on television in such memorable productions as "The Little Moon of Alban," "The Lark" and a seven-year hitch as Lilimae Clements on the CBS series "Knots Landing." Her newest film, "The First of May," has not been distributed in theaters but has been shown at film festivals. It follows the adventures of a lonely 11-year-old foster child (Dan Byrd) who befriends a forgotten old lady stuck in a retirement home (Julie Harris). The two run away together on a journey that leads them to a meeting with the boss of the world-famous Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus (Mickey Rooney), who givesthem jobs. When all appears lost, the duo find the family they sought in each other. Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio makes an unforgettable appearance, giving the young foster child advice on baseball and life. Actor/director Charles Nelson Reilly also appears. This heartwarming family movie was created and filmed entirely in Orlando, Fla. The screenplay is an adaptation of the award-winning novel "The Golden Days" by Gail Radley. The film won the Best Film Award - Feature Drama and Best Child Actor Performance (Dan Byrd) at the Burbank International Children's Film Festival. It also won the Chicago International Film Festival Best of the Fest award.
Dickinson's Arts Award honors an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to the creative or performing arts. Past recipients have included poet Robert Frost, the Philadelphia Orchestra, playwright David Mamet, choreographer Twyla Tharp, amd actress Dame Judith Anderson.
Click here for more information as well as photographs of Harris accepting the award and meeting with theatre students and faculty.
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Dickinson's Arts Award honors an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to the creative or performing arts. Past recipients in Theatre and Dance have included actress Dame Judith Anderson, director and founder of Arena Stage Zelda Fichandler, the Pennsylvania Ballet, playwright David Mamet, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and actor/director/teacher/playwright Andre Gregory. Click here for a complete list of the recipients of the Dickinson College Arts Award.
