Holiday Gift Takes Center Stage

Sonora, CA – After 35 years of bringing song, dance, and drama to the Mother Lode, the Sierra Repertory Theatre (SRT) is getting a different kind of ovation.

SRT has received this year’s Elaine Symons Baker Community Impact Award from the Sonora Area Foundation (SAF).  With it comes a gift of $10,000 that is presented each year to an area nonprofit.

”This is such an honor,” said Sara Jones, the theater’s managing director.  ”The Sonora Area Foundation’s support through the years has meant so much to SRT.  This is an amazing surprise, and the very definition of the award — community impact — is a core value for SRT, so it is tremendously meaningful.”

Foundation officials praise the theater for the audiences it draws to the area; 45,000 in 2013.  More than 60 percent of audience members come from the Central Valley, Bay Area and beyond, creating an economic benefit for Tuolumne County, according to SAF.

“SRT is a major part of our community, both from an artistic standpoint and an economic standpoint,” said Jim Johnson, Foundation Board President.  “We really wanted to support an organization that does both those things for the community.”

Past award recipients include ICES (Infant, Child Enrichment Services) and the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA).