AMT LEGACY AWARD
the Julian Family
Sometimes theater is a
family affair — with one generation following or joining another — for
generation after generation. Such
is the case with the Julian Family.
Mike (Sr.) and Martha Julian were among the original list of patrons that
gave money to help start AMT in 1958.
That began a 50 year association with AMT that continues to this day.
Mike Sr. was on the original Board of Directors and played the lead role
of Nice-Nicely Johnson in AMT’s inaugural production of
Guys & Dolls.
Thereafter, he played numerous leading
roles, including Curly in
Martha Julian worked
tirelessly for many years. Although
she appeared on stage in several productions, her off stage efforts were the
stuff legends are made of. She
designed and/or painted much scenery for many productions.
She did makeup & Wardrobe.
She directed shows. She was an
audience volunteer. In short, if it
needed to be done, Martha did it at one time or another.
Today one of AMT’s scholarships is named in her honor.
Mike Julian (Jr.) made his
first appearance in an AMT production in Damn Yankees in 1959 — at about the age
of 6 — as a member of the “J. Hardy Fan Club.
As he aged, his roles grew.
By 1963 (at age 10) he played “Little Jake” in
Annie Get Your Gun.
Perhaps his most memorable role was Don Quixote in the 2003 production of
Man of LaMancha.
Other members of the Julian
family, including Jeff, Joe, and John Julian all made appearances in AMT
productions over the years.
In 2004, three generations
of Julians appeared in one production — Mike (Jr.) and his Wife (Lovice), their
daughter Heather Julian Bash and her husband Derrick, and their young son Dax,
and Mike & Love’s daughter Christine Julian Lorett, along with her husband John
and their son Sydney — all appeared on stage in
Amahl & the Night Visitors.
Mike and Heather are both on our stage again this evening.
It is my pleasure and honor to present this AMT
LEGACY AWARD to the JULIAN FAMILY.