The Osy Strong Awards

The Osy Strong Award is given annually to "any adult Player, past or present, whose service to the organization has been notable ... of general benefit to the Players as a group ...over and above the normal duties of membership."  

For the 2006-07 season, the Osy Strong Award was presented to Kevin Belval.  The presentation of the award plaque occurred at the 2007-08 Season Annual Meeting in June 2008 at the Players Studio.  

Who was Osy Strong?

Dr. Osmond R. Strong’s first appearance on stage in a Players production was in DOUBLE DOOR in 1935 (he played Dr. John Sully). His last stage appearance was in MY FAIR LADY in 1964 as The Prince of Transylvania.

But when "Osy" wasn't on stage during those 29 years, he worked in some back stage or staff capacity in jobs ranging from Producer, Stage Manager, Carpenter, and Grip, to House Manager, Set Painter and Props Chaser. And for another 8 years until his death in 1976, 0sy continued serving the Players as President, Secretary, Member of the Board of Directors, and as Chairperson for the Play Reading, Policy and Procedures, Membership and various other committees.

Among the more than forty productions in which he appeared on stage were: Grey Meredith in A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT, Senator Lauterback in STATE OF THE UNION, Charles Thorndyke Winton in WINNER TAKE ALL, Lewis Carroll and The King of Hearts in ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Dr. Gibbs in OUR TOWN, Horace Giddens in THE LITTLE FOXES, Seth Lord in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, Capt. Brackett in SOUTH PACIFIC, The Heavenly Friend in CAROUSEL, and The Bishop of Lax in SEE HOW THEY RUN. He played romantic leads, doctors, lawyers, clergymen and military men; he was right at home in dramas, musicals, romances and farces.

For over forty years, Osy gave generously of his time, talent and expertise to the Community Players of Concord – and equally generously of his kindness, encouragement and friendship to his fellow members. How better to remember him and keep his name alive in this organization that he loved so much than to present annually to outstanding current members, The Osy Strong Award for achievement above and beyond the expectations of membership?

Past Osy Strong Award recipients include: