Photos by Noah Taylor
Left and middle: Tiza Garland (she/her) reacts as she realizes that she is the recipient of the 2022 Suzanne M. Davis Memorial Award. Right: Garland (center) is congratulated by the award presenter, past President Jack Benjamin (right), and SETC President Maegan McNerney Azar.
Tiza Garland Honored with SETC’s 2022 Suzanne M. Davis Memorial Award Presentation by Jack Benjamin at the annual SETC Awards Banquet
he Suzan ne M. Davis Memorial
the award is kept secret each year until
but I must say that the work that they have
Award was created in memory of
this evening’s festivities. Many of you
done on the EDIA initiative for SETC has
Suzie Davis, wife of Harry Davis, one of
will recognize our honoree very quickly
set a standard for all to hope to aspire to. If
the founders of SETC and its 10th president.
through their accomplishments, but I will
it were not for our awardee and a handful
When Suzie died in 1964, Alvin Cohen
keep the tradition going.
of others, SETC would not be experiencing
T
the equity, diversity and inclusion that we
endowed this special award in her memory
Our recipient began their SETC career in
to recognize each year an individual who,
the 1990s and has continued their service
over an extended number of years, had
ever since. They are easily recognized by
I am particularly moved by a quote
been outstanding in service to SETC. It is
SETC and other national and international
from our recipient that I believe all in this
the highest award that SETC can bestow
organizations as an outstanding authority
ballroom should take to heart. Our honoree
upon one of its own members.
in their specific field of theatre.
said: “In order to have a life in the theatre,
are today!
Tonight’s recipient joins a distinguished
I had the honor of meeting our awardee
one must first have a life.” From being a
list of individuals to whom we owe the
early in their SETC career and have
vital part of the University of Florida’s
current strength and success of our
witnessed their amazing growth from
theatre program, to running a marathon
organization.
a committee chair (for over 10 years) to
on five of the continents on this earth
secretary of the board.
(with plans to run marathons on the other
At this time, I would like to stop and recognize an individual whom we honored
While President, I was privileged to
two after completing their dissertation),
last year during our virtual conference, but
have our honoree serve beside me as the
to growing things in their garden, I can
I felt needed to have their name mentioned
Vice President of Services and ultimately
honestly say they embody having a life in
in this evening’s “live” event. Ladies and
succeed me as President of this great
theatre and out of theatre every day.
gentlemen, please give our 2021 Suzanne
organization and serve in this capacity for
Davis Memorial Awardee, Michael Howley,
three years.
a well-deserved round of applause. Tradition has it that the recipient of
These accomplishments alone are
Ladies and gentlemen, SETC’s 2022 Suzanne Davis Memorial Awardee: Tiza Garland. n
enough to honor this wonderful person, Spring-Summer 2022 x Southern Theatre x 51
