The Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award

About Kathy

Honoring a rare, decades-long commitment to sparking creativity and enjoyment through the eyes and ears of Atlanta’s youngest theater-goers, the Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award pays tribute to one of the Alliance Theatre’s most dedicated patrons and her countless hours of volunteer support. For more than 30 years, Kathy Bernhardt was an usher for hundreds of children’s, youth and family performances. She chaired the Children’s Theatre Guild’s Christmas House fundraising event three times. Additionally, she served as a Board Officer and President for the Alliance Children’s Theatre Guild and for the STARS Volunteer Guild, and was a Board Member for the Alliance Theatre Board of Directors. 

In 2015 Kathy and her husband Ken endowed the transformative Kathy and Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young at the Alliance. This innovative initiative continues through the annual staging of performances created for children 0–5 years old. By inviting the children in the audience to physically join the professional actors on stage, these plays foster priceless creativity and a life-long love for theater. 

About the Award

The Alliance Theatre relies on hundreds of volunteers each year to carry out its mission of expanding hearts and minds, both on stage and off. 

Volunteers do it all, from ushering to serving crew meals, to fundraising, to envelope stuffing, to serving as ambassadors for the theatre, to serving on various boards of directors and advisory boards, and more. The Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award annually recognizes one volunteer who exemplifies Kathy’s selfless, community-oriented volunteerism to the highest degree. Chosen by the staff and leadership of the Alliance, the award winner receives a commemorative plaque/sculpture, and has their name added to the web page honoring volunteers. The award is funded by an endowment established by her husband, Ken, a Life Director of the Alliance Theatre Board. The earnings from the endowment provide funds for a grant from the award recipient to the theatre, with the award recipient having the opportunity to direct the grant to their favorite program area at the Alliance. 

Honorees

2024 // Bridget Bailey

The fourth honoree of the Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award, Bridget Bailey has been integral to the success of the Alliance Theatre Institute's district-wide partnership with Atlanta Public Schools (APS). Over the last 10 years, with Bridget's support and advocacy, over 11,000 APS Pre-K students have attended a Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young production and experienced high-quality arts integration Georgia Wolf Trap lessons in their classrooms. Bridget ensures every APS Pre-K teacher is valued and supported throughout the year, working closely with the Institute to provide professional learning and educator appreciation events. She is a fierce advocate for arts education access, ensuring there is no barrier to any APS early learner. Bridget has dedicated her award grant to the Tickets for Teachers program.

2023 // Doug Hunter

Doug Hunter is the third recipient of the Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award. Doug's involvement in the Alliance Theatre and Woodruff Arts Center's renovation of the new Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families proved invaluable from the earliest stages of the project. Always available to the theatre's staff and leadership team, Doug provided expert advice throughout the planning, budgeting, and execution phases for the multi-pronged capital project. Doug's service and impact will be felt on Peachtree Street for generations by students and families experiencing transformative, top-tier entertainment and educational programs designed specifically for them. Doug has dedicated his award grant to the Tickets for Teachers program.

2022 // Charles Sharbaugh

Nicknamed “Saint Charlie” at the Alliance Theatre for his tireless volunteer efforts on behalf of the organization, Charles Sharbaugh is the second honoree of the Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award. A longtime supporter and advocate for the Woodruff Arts Center, Charles was integral in the Alliance’s efforts to respond to the dire challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. His many contributions include helping the Alliance and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra secure significant funds through the Georgia Film Tax Credit, advising on matters such as affordable housing for arts workers in Atlanta and envisioning the future of Alliance youth and family programming, and exploring diverse avenues for federal support during the continued public health crisis. Charles is an enthusiastic ambassador for the Alliance’s productions and constant champion to the staff. Charles has dedicated his award grant to the Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young.

2021 // Susan and Alan Stiefel

The first honorees of the Kathy Bernhardt Volunteer of the Year Award are Susan and Alan Stiefel. The Stiefels have served the Atlanta arts community for decades, working in a variety of volunteer leadership roles for many theaters and arts organizations. For the Alliance, Susan serves as the co-Chairperson of Theatre Advocates and Chairperson of Hospitality for STARS, the Alliance’s volunteer organization. Ever supported by Alan in this role, Susan organizes the Alliance’s tech meals and works with partner organizations in the community to raise awareness of the theater’s programs and productions. They also work extensively for the Suzi Bass Awards, Atlanta’s professional theater awards, serving as judges and as coordinators for the awards ceremony. Susan has served on the Suzi board and won the 2017 Suzi Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2020, Susan and Alan were honored with the Suzi Bass Lifetime Achievement Award. Susan has dedicated the award grant to the Alliance Theatre Teen Ensemble.