Lawrence Earl Rose was a native of Oswego. He met Nona Turano, a director for the Oswego Players in 1986. Soon after meeting Larry, Nona asked him if he would take a small part in her upcoming production of “Harvey.” He took the part and enjoyed his experience so much that he become a Player’s member in 1987. In the same year, Nona was directing “Bell, Book, Candle” and offered Larry the lead, opposite Donna Brown. Larry would eventually build sets for numerous productions. (All while listening to opera on the theatre sound equipment.) He also built bookcases, doorways and other set pieces still in use today. Whatever he built was built to withstand an Earthquake! If he installed a window in a set, it stayed there. Larry learned to stage manage, build props and run lights and sound. He did anything a director asked him to. Most of the sound, before and after the curtain, was made from his own private record collection. He always created such magic with his music.
Marion Elizbeth Green, of Oswego worked the majority of her adult at Penfield Library. It took her over ten years to get a degree in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego. One of Marion’s senior level classes offered a play writing contest competition. Marion decided to enter the competition and won the contest with the one act play, “Club Murder.” Several members of the players such as Inez Parker, Larry Rose and Bobby Fontana attended the competition. Marion graciously allowed Bobby to direct her show for him to become a qualified director for the Oswego Players. The cast of “Club Murder” included Freda Kocher, Peggy Jenkins, Carol Dufrane and Inez Parker. The night of the production was sold out. The show was a huge success with Bobby being able to direct a full three act play for the organization. Marion allowed our organization the rights to tour the city of Oswego with the one act play. Marion and her mother, Gladys Whalen, never missed a show at the theatre for over forty years. Marion would also write reviews for Oswego Players productions. Those reviews appeared in the Oswego Palladium-Times.
Patrick Carman was the consummate actor. His passion for the theater had no limits and the love and joy he brought to every performance was extremely contagious. Those who have had the privilege of sharing the stage with Patrick wish to ensure that Patrick’s loving light continues in the many years ahead. The Patrick Carman Joyful Heart Theater Scholarship will go to a deserving middle school and high school student in the Central New York area who exemplifies the loving characteristics that Patrick has expressed all his life.
The Patrick Carman Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving person based on a written essay of 500 words or less expressing the applicant’s personal relationship, experiences, and goals related to community theater. Patrick’s parents, Coleen and Kevin Carman, will select the finalist for this annual award.