We recently had an opportunity to chat with David Minton, theatre guru and this year’s recipient of the Executive’s Award for Outstanding Artist & Scholar. An accomplished playwright, producer, director, and actor with over 30 years of experience in theatre, David is the man behind Lumina’s one-of-a-kind approach to community theatre and serves as Executive and Artistic Director.
- David Minton as Lord Fellamar in “Tom Jones”(Photo: Linda Parker Photography)
Lumina innovatively re-imagines classic repertory theatre, researching historic plays and literature and adapting, updating, and often re-conceptualizing them for modern audiences. For instance, their 2012 staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was inspired by the 1920’s cinematic classic “Metropolis”. Their 2009 production of “The Merchant of Venice” (which David referred to as the “The Merchant of Venice, CA”) took its visual cue from 1950’s Hollywood.
David has led Lumina since its Founder, Jillian Raye, passed away in 2008; Jillian is Minton’s late wife. Jillian brought Lumina to Takoma, MD in 1997, envisioning Lumina as an imaginative inter-generational stage for classic theatre, for the enjoyment and participation of the greater community. Today, that mission is sustained through David’s visionary leadership, artistry, and scholarship.
AHCMC: How did you react upon learning that you won this award?
David: I was delighted! In so many ways this is recognition not for me but for Lumina – and by extension – our visionary founder, Jillian Raye. I’d like to thank our board, our staff, our volunteers, our actors, but especially Jillian.
AHCMC: Why are the arts and humanities so important to Montgomery County?
David: The arts and humanities represent the essential character, dreams, and creativity of our County. They are what make our County special.
AHCMC: What would you like for people to know about the arts and humanities in Montgomery County?
David: The arts in our community span from the most avant-garde to the revered classics. There is something in our community for everyone.
AHCMC: Would you like to shout-out any of the other award winners?
I would like to give a shout-out to Busy Graham who is truly one of the First Ladies of the Arts in Montgomery County – without her support and encouragement Lumina (and so many other arts organizations) would never have made it this far. And to Patti Woolsey, who founded and operates one of the most important and unique arts organizations in our State.
The Montgomery County Executives Awards for the Arts and Humanities will be held on Monday, October 21st at 7pm. Reserve your tickets HERE