Congratulations to Brady Amoonclark

The Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR) 2026 Arts Awards were held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at The Calico in the GARNER Historic District in Garnerville, NY. Themed “Building Bridges Through the Arts,” the event celebrated local creators and community leaders, with awards in music, literary arts, performing arts, visual arts and arts leadership.

The Performing Artist’s Award is “presented to a performer whose outstanding talent and compelling presence have significantly enriched the cultural life of our community through theater, dance, or other performance-based art forms.” It recognizes artists who engage audiences, foster connection, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the performing arts in Rockland County.”

This year, the Performing Artist’s award was presented to Elmwood member Brady Amoonclark.

Elmwood can take pride in that Brady’s remarkable theater journey, as a performer, director, playwright, and educator, was sparked by her seeing The Fantasticks at Elmwood in 1998. In Brady’s own words, “It changed my life.” She was off and running to audition, perform, work backstage, run lights, and spread her wings across the county and beyond. Her original plays have been produced in both Boston and New York City, and, in a fitting full-circle moment, she has directed The Fantasticks at the 45th Street Theater. Her expansive talents have also led her to serve as the Artistic Director of Rockland’s Children’s Shakespeare Theater for the past five years, where she has directed and produced numerous classical plays.

Receiving the Arts Council Award is especially gratifying to Brady. “To be celebrated for the decades of love and wonder that I have both poured into and received from the theater is deeply meaningful,” she says. “I love finding people with a shared passion for theater, telling stories in a room together. I hope to keep doing that for a long time to come.”