For the fifth consecutive year, Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) will present the Stephen Daniel Foulk Volunteer Award to a volunteer who has served DTC in some remarkable capacity. This year, DTC will honor Carla J. Markell of Wilmington for her commitment to DTC's annual fundraiser, the Wine Feast & Auction, and for her tenure as an active board member. Her award will be presented on Saturday, April 21st at the opening night performance of Henry V by William Shakespeare, adapted by Sanford Robbins.

Carla Markell devoted countless hours of time chairing the 18th Annual Wine Feast & Auction, held on February 2, 2007. Through her leadership, the event had a banner year raising over $120,000 for DTC's education and artistic programming. "Carla brings volunteer service and advocacy to new heights," remarks DTC Board Chair, Marilyn R. Hayward. "She has unlimited energy, boundless enthusiasm, and the ability to get almost anybody to work on a project to which she is committed. In addition to her service in many other ways, her leadership was key to the success of this year's Wine Feast & Auction."

A native of Newark, Delaware, Carla J. Markell joined Delaware Theatre Company's Board of Directors in 2002 with a passion for theater and the arts. She has been involved on a variety of levels including special events, fundraising, personnel and marketing. Mrs. Markell formerly worked in the outplacement field where she assisted employees and corporate executives as they made the transition from downsized companies in search of new career opportunities. Prior to that, she worked for a chemical dependency treatment center where she was an executive responsible for marketing, community relations and employee awareness education.

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Mrs. Markell majored in human resources and early childhood education. Married to State Treasurer, Jack Markell, she has enjoyed being home with her two children, Molly and Michael, as well as mentoring two boys, Toby and Tremaine, all of whom have benefited greatly from the wonderful programs offered at DTC.

The Stephen Daniel Foulk Volunteer Award was established in 2003 by friends and family to memorialize Stephen and his tireless, enthusiastic and generous commitment to DTC volunteerism. Stephen's association with DTC began in the 1980s with the theatre's annual fundraising event, the Barefoot Ball. Over the years, he co-chaired the Barefoot Ball and also served on the theatre's Board of Directors. Stephen loved theatre and understood the absolute importance of volunteers for those non-profit institutions that make contributions to the surrounding community.

The award's founders determined that the Stephen Daniel Foulk Award "shall be used to honor a DTC Volunteer who exemplifies the qualities which were paramount in the life of Stephen Foulk." The award acknowledges the recipient's recognition of the valuable role that not-for-profit institutions play in the life of the community, as well as attentive and committed focus on the work of the Delaware Theatre Company and selfless giving and sense of good will and compassion. Nominations for the award come from DTC staff, and the award winners are presented with a beautiful engraved hand-blown glass bowl from Simon Pearce on the Brandywine.

Delaware Theatre Company's 2006-2007 season is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Artist housing provided by Pettinaro Relocation. Artist transportation provided by Amtrak. AAA Mid-Atlantic is the official Insurance Company and Travel Agency of DTC. Programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the arts in Delaware. The Delaware Division of the Arts provides technical and financial assistance to artists and arts programs and serves as a clearinghouse for information on the arts.

Delaware Theatre Company, Delaware's largest professional theatre, is located at 200 Water Street, on Wilmington's exciting Riverfront. Delaware Theatre Company is a member of the League of Resident Theatres, Theatre Communications Group, the Wilmington Arts Coalition, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, and the Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau.