A star-studded event is planned for September in Schenectady as Proctors Theatre plans to open the Capital Region Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame, which will feature a biography and photo of the inductee, will be located in an area known as ‘Robb Alley’ in Proctors’ newly expanded facility.
A grand opening celebration will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, in conjunction with the 2008-09 season opening of Proctors.
Judy Decker, special events manager for Proctors, said the opening of the Hall of Fame will be gradual, but eventually Proctors would like to add interactive features to the inductees’ displays, as the technology becomes available.
The Hall of Fame will honor seven individuals and corporations for their lasting impact on the entertainment industry and their contributions to the Capital District during a black tie gala featuring cocktails, dinner, dessert and dancing in the newly expanded theatre at 432 State St., Schenectady.
John Sayles, an award-winning independent filmmaker, was the first inductee to the Hall of Fame in 2006. He will be formally honored at the gala for his achievements. Sayles, who lived in Schenectady and graduated from Schenectady High School, premiered his most recent movie, Silver City, at Proctors in September 2004.
This year, the Hall of Fame with induct five individuals and two corporations.
Of this year’s five individuals, three are recognized for their achievements as actors and two are known for their contributions to Capital District residents.
Actors Kirk Douglas, originally from Amsterdam; Monty Woolley, of Saratoga Springs; and Maureen Stapleton, from Troy, will all be honored during the event.
Stapleton and Douglas’ families still live in the area and plan to attend the event, according to Decker.
Marilyn Gordon, Douglas’ niece said, `It’s such a great tribute that his hometown region would like to honor him and his lifetime achievements in this way.`
Decker said everyone recognizes Woolley’s face, but not necessarily his name. Woolley had an extensive film career that spanned nearly two decades, from 1936 to 1955.
Francis Frederick Proctor, owner and builder of Proctor’s Theatre and Ernst F.W. Alexanderson, a General Electric Co. engineer, who transmitted the first public demonstration of television in January 1928 on the stage at Proctors, will also be celebrated at the event.
`We wouldn’t have this wonderful facility without his vision,` Decker said of Proctor.
The Hall of Fame will also induct the television station WRGB, and the radio station WGY for being the oldest continuously running stations in the United States. Both stations were owned and operated by General Electric.
The Hall of Fame committee, which selects inductees, consists of Paul Harding, of Martin, Harding and Mazzotti; Walter Supley, of Creative Advantage; Dan DiNicola, of WRGB; Jack Sheehan, of The Costumer; John Scherer, from the New York State Museum and chairman of the Historical Committee at Proctors; and Philip Morris, Proctor’s Theatre CEO.
In order to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, an individual or corporation must have `significantly affected the arts, the culture and the entertainment industry; and were either born in the area or, at one time, resided in New York’s Capital Region.`
The Capital Region includes the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselear, Saratoga, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.
`It’s really a fun night,` Decker said. `You get to really explore Proctors and our new Hall of Fame.`
Last year, for the first time, the gala was held at Proctors to show off the new expansion. The gala’s dinner was previously held at other locations before guests were invited to Proctors for a Broadway show to celebrate the opening of the season, however, this year guests will enjoy a tour of the facility including the GE Theatre, where a catered dinner by Glen Sanders Mansion will be served.
For information about the gala or to purchase tickets, contact Judy Decker at 382-3884, ext. 134.
“