ERIC CLAUSELL

Eric was born and raised in New Yorker City (NYC) where he trained and began his performing arts career. He identifies as an African American, Puerto Rican, Queer, Cisgender male, Performing and Teaching Artist. By day, Eric is a Clinical Psychologist at the Seattle VA Medical Center. Eric moved to Tacoma in 2012 for a new career opportunity in the VA, which he enjoys. Since arriving in the area, he has performed in productions all along the I-5 corridor from Portland to Bellingham and has thoroughly enjoyed the rich performing arts scene that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Eric is honored to join the Board of Tacoma Little Theatre during this important time of cultural transformation in the Tacoma Arts Community. He has been involved in several TLT productions as an actor, choreographer, and director. As a member of the TLT Board, Eric hopes to bring his passion, experience, and personal history in the theater to the TLT community. In addition to his local performing arts endeavors, Eric has performed professionally as a singer, dancer, and actor in musicals, also as a concert dancer in NYC, Los Angeles, Massachusetts, and Vienna Austria. He's had the privilege of touring the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia in Broadway tours collaborating with so many inspiring artists in his career that have inspired him to strive for excellence and honesty in the creative process.

TLT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Tacoma Little Theatre of Tacoma, Washington, is being honored with the Diamond Crown Organizational Award by the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The 2021 AACT National Award presentations will be pre-recorded and streamed during Virtual AACTFest 2021 National Theatre Festival, Saturday, June 19, beginning at 11:45AM (Eastern). To view the AACT National Awards presentations and participate in other exciting Virtual AACTFest 2021 events during June 14–20, 2021, register at aact.org/21.

The AACT Diamond Crown Organizational Award recognizes longevity and vitality of AACT member theatres that have expanded programming and/or facilities in the past ten years and have the administrative leadership to remain vital to their communities for the next ten years. Recipients must have been in continuous operation for seventy-five years. Visit aact.org/awards for information on all AACT National Awards, 2021 AACT Award winners, and previous honorees.

Tacoma Little Theatre (TLT) was founded in 1918 as the Tacoma Little Theatre and Drama League, and at 103 years is among the oldest community theatres currently operating in the United States. TLT’s vision is to offer a destination for the diverse community of Tacoma and Puget Sound by offering a well-rounded season of mainstage productions, staged readings, murder mysteries, special events, and a year-around education program serving both adults and children. TLT increases community awareness through special ticket programs and embracing other non-profit and service organizations, such as United Way. With the support of the community and local funders, TLT was able to complete a full remodel of its auditorium and lobby spaces, beginning in June of 2020. This was the first major upgrade since the 1950s, and came as a result of listening and responding to patron feedback. After a break in response to the Covid pandemic, the theatre is looking forward to welcoming back patrons in the fall of 2021.

AACT provides networking, resources, and support for America’s theatres. AACT represents the interests of more than 7,000 theatres across the United States and its territories, as well as theatre companies with the U.S. Military Services overseas.