Chandler’s Cantlin Is Honored As 2007 VAAE Arts Advocate

The Chandler Center for the Arts recently announced that Betsy Cantlin has been chosen as the 2007 Arts Advocate honoree by the Vermont Association of Arts Educators.

The award was presented last week by Woodstock Union High School’s drama teacher, Harriet Worrell, at the VAAE’s annual Arts Education Conference in Ludlow. Each year this award honors an individual or organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership in promoting the arts and arts education on a local, statewide or national level and whose leadership has enhanced the quality of life in their community through the arts.

"Betsy has an amazing ability to coordinate countless details without loosing sight of the creative spirit," notes Rebecca Carleton who, with Chandler’s Executive Director Becky McMeekin, nominated Cantlin for this award.

Cantlin was hired last fall as Chandler’s Community Outreach Manager. She brought years of experience as the producer for dozens of community and school theatrical events that have impacted a generation of students in the central Vermont area, effectively advocating the arts in the lives of these young people.

Cantlin has welcomed youth and their families, and provided structure in support of school residencies, Chandler’s annual Mud Season Variety Show, nearly a decade of Chandler summer youth musicals, Chandler performance and gallery events, and a community youth chorus.

"Betsy’s supportive and encouraging approach to production work has contributed to a thriving performing arts community in Central Vermont," McMeekin said. "What a gift Betsy has been to Chandler and to the youth and families involved in these community events! So many young people have found a home at Chandler through her warm welcome and encouragement."

Some of the students involved in these productions have found professional success working with Blue Man Group, on MTV, or in technical theater.

In her position as Outreach Manager, Cantlin helped create a Mini Mud Show, the youth version of Chandler’s popular community talent show. This fall she orchestrated the opening to Chandler’s centennial season, "101 Premieres: Albert’s Big Bash," which involved over 150 community participants from several communities.

Currently, she is working with Patty Akley Warlick and Susan Rule to produce an original student production, "You Gotta Have a Dream," which will be performed October 26 and 27. That performance will showcase the acting, singing, dancing, writing and art of more than 50 young people aged 6-18.

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