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.”  

Qualifications for the Osy Strong Award are:

1.  Any adult Player, past or present, whose service to the organization has been notable, shall be considered.
2.  The service to be recognized should be of general benefit to the Players as a group.
3.  Service recognized must be over and above the normal duties of membership in the Community Players organization.
4.  The nominee need not be a current member of the Players.
5.  The nomination should be made on the nomination form, using additional sheets if necessary.  (Click here for the form.)  Service need not be confined to a single year.
6.  Nominees should not be advised of their nomination.
7.  The President is ineligible for this award.

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