Bradford Little Theatre welcomes you to our BIG sixth season!

The Lester Brauser Theatre Appreciation Award

The 2002 Brauser Award was presented to John & Marlene Kijowski

John and Marlene Kijowski of Bradford have worked and supported virtually every arts group in the region since coming to Bradford in the mid-70s. Marlene is renown in the arts community for her costuming expertise, and John quietly lends his formidable building skills behind-the-scenes. Together, their creativity, generosity, spirit, and support have enabled hundreds of performers to put their best feet forward onstage in imaginative, eye-catching style.      The Kijowskis first got involved with theatre when they helped build set and design wardrobe for the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts show Oliver. From then on the theatre bug bit the Kijowskis. She has sewn costumes and gathered props, and he has designed as well as constructed numerous sets for Bradford Little Theatre, Bradford Area High School, BCPAC, and Pitt-Bradford.       The most fun Mrs. Kijowski had was working with the students at Bradford Area High School and former choral director Darren Litz. "The boys and girls are a lot of fun and full of energy," she says. "Darren was quite creative, smart; he was enthusiastic about his work and his students."       One of the most challenging costume creations Mrs. Kijowski faced was designing the wardrobe for the Olean Community Theatre production of The Island of Dr. Moreau, written by BLT President Chris Mackowski. "The animal costumes were very form fitting and revealing, offering quite a design challenge," says Mrs. Kijowski.  She solved the problem by sewing fur "privacy panels" onto the garments.      "John and I have enjoyed the excitement and frantic pace of theatre life behind-the-scenes. Set building was the most challenging. It’s been fun designing and sewing costumes," Mrs. Kijowski says.       Mrs. Kijowski serves on the board of directors for the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center. She is a former BLT board member. They are also members of Friends of Good Music in Olean.

Established in 2001 for BLT's 5th Anniversary Season, the Lester Brauser Theatre Appreciation Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals whose work makes community theatre possible in the Bradford area.