[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 92 (Friday, June 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING PAUL DREHER FOR SERVICE TO THE GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 1999

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the numerous 
contributions made by Mr. Paul Dreher during his 39 years of dedicated 
service to the Civic Theatre in Grand Rapids, Michigan and to the arts 
community of West Michigan. Paul is retiring from his position as 
Managing Director of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and will be 
recognized by his friends and peers on June 27 on what has been 
proclaimed by our mayor as ``Paul Dreher Day'' in Grand Rapids.
  A native of South Carolina. Paul began his professional career by 
serving as a radio announcer in New York. From there he moved on to 
Manistee, Michigan where he began his professional acting career and 
also served as a lighting designer for the Manistee Summer Theater. 
From there it was on to Grand Rapids to serve as a guest director at 
the Civic Theatre in 1959. A year later he was offered the full-time 
directorship of the theatre with a staff of three and a budget of under 
$8,000. Now nearly 40 years later, Paul has over 225 Civic Theatre 
directing credits on his resume. in addition, the theatre is the second 
largest community theatre in the United States and the operational 
budget has increased significantly to well over a million dollars, 
thanks to the vision and leadership of Paul Dreher.
  When you mention the Civic Theatre and the theatre arts in Grand 
Rapids, the name ``Paul Dreher'' automatically comes up. During his 
tenure, Paul has worn many hats. While directing over 90 percent of the 
plays on the Civic stage over the past 39 years and handling the 
business affairs of the theatre, Paul has also put in time as a last-
minute substitute actor by filling in for others who became ill and 
were unable to perform.
  Paul is responsible for bringing a diverse selection of theatre 
offerings to our community. There have been Shakespeare plans such as 
Othello and Henry IV; the classics have included Our Town and Death of 
a Salesman; musicals have included Annie and South Pacific, and dramas 
have brought to the stage Miracle Worker and A Streetcar Named Desire. 
He has also provided the youth of our community with an outlet through 
the Young People's Theatre program. As managing Director, Paul also 
made sure productions were accessible to everyone by adding hearing-
impaired sections and wheelchair-accessible viewing areas. With Paul in 
charge no stone was left unturned.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring Paul 
for his dedication to the Civic Theatre and the arts in Grand Rapids. I 
also want to thank him personally for dedicating so much of his life to 
providing quality entertainment to audiences both young and old over 
the past four decades. He has touched the lives of many, and his 
talent, wisdom, and leadership will be missed. Thank you, Paul, for 
making a difference!

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