AWARDS - ABOUT ORLIN COREY MEDALLION AWARDS

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THE ORLIN COREY MEDALLION AWARDS 
How to apply: NOMINATION (by recommendation) from the field of Theatre for Youth
2026: Nominations Period online portal open February 4, 2026 -March 4, 2026
-Prepare to submit by reviewing these guidelines and submission instructions. READ MORE…Orlin Corey Medallion Award and Past Recipients of the Award
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The Childrens Theatre Foundation of America (CTFA) challenges and supports theatre artists to achieve excellence and equity in service to young people. A major priority of CTFA is supporting theatre for youth which clearly recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to the future of theatre for young audiences and to society in general.
The Orlin Corey Medallion Award celebrates artistry, integrity, innovation, and equity in Theatre for Youth. Established in 1992 and named for former CTFA President Orlin Corey, this award recognizes organizations, artists, educators, administrators, activists, and others whose visionary works for youth embodies the core values of the Childrens Theatre Foundation of America.

HISTORY of Past Recipients list is a who's who of luminaries, artists, educators, entertainers, organizations, who have focused their work on the child and youth audience.
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About Orlin Corey
ORLIN COREY – an Oklahoman and WWII Navy veteran – was educated at Baylor University, studying with Paul Baker, receiving two degrees. For a year he studied at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, working with Gwynneth Thurburn.

For fifteen years he produced theatre at Georgetown College in Kentucky, and Centenary College in Louisiana. A highly individual artist, of distinctive style, his productions won large audiences and critical praise.

In 1957, his production of The Book of Job led him to form the Everyman Players after its sensational success at the Brussels World Fair and a tour of England. Other classics – Electra, The Tempest, Reynard the Fox, among 10 – kept the Players alive – 5 off-Broadway productions, 7 in London, and around the world from Capetown in South Africa to South America, Europe, Canada and the U.S.A. till 1980.

In 1974, he became publisher of Anchorage Press, and president of the Children’s Theatre Foundation.

In honor of thirty-four years of service and leadership on the board of the Children's Theatre Foundation, in 2010, the award was renamed the CTFA Corey Medallion Award. Orlin Corey served as a Trustee Emeritus and presented the awards to the recipients each year through 2015.

Orlin Russel Corey 1926-2015. Read A Tribute to Orlin Corey from CTFA President, Roger Bedard

Honoring the Present and Remembering the Past
Your tax deductible gifts and sponsorships as a Patron of the Orlin Corey Medallion Award honors the current Medallion Recipients as well as previous honorees.

Childrens Theatre Foundation of America solicits charitable contributions and grants funds in support of excellence & equity in theatre for children.
The Childrens Theatre Foundation of America believes that our future success, resiliency, and sustainability relies on placing equity at the center of every aspect of what we do. We define equity as a collaborative, continual process to ensure fair access to all.