Nonprofit People and Awards

Ten Chimneys Foundation recently announced that James Pickering, actor for Milwaukee Repertory Theater has been selected as a 2011 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow. Pickering is one of only ten actors in the country to receive the honor. Those selected will participate in the 2011 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program, a widely acclaimed national program to serve the future of American theatre.
“The Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program celebrates the top actors in America’s top theatre communities – widely respected for their talent, dedication to craft, and passionate pursuit of excellence, the qualities for which Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were so revered,” said Sean Malone, president of Ten Chimneys Foundation. “This program celebrates people like James Pickering – the best of the best, our communities’ theatre mentors.”
Pickering and the other selected Lunt-Fontanne Fellows will join Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis for an intensive weeklong master class and immersion experience at Ten Chimneys, the National Historic Landmark estate of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, in Genesee Depot.  
“Jim Pickering is a Milwaukee theatre legend – an exceptional actor who has portrayed hundreds of roles in scores of plays in his 37 seasons as a ‘Resident Actor’ with Milwaukee Repertory Theater.,” said Mark Clements, artistic director of the Milwaukee Rep. ” Jim approaches each role with his trademark intelligence and honesty, pushing himself to achieve the highest standards. ‘Pick’ is unfailingly supportive of his fellow actors, a dedicated mentor to the Rep’s acting interns, and a tremendous asset to our theater, both on- and offstage.”
This will be the third year of the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship program.  In addition to the honor, Pickering will also be awarded a $2,500 cash fellowship in recognition of his exceptional contribution to his community and to the overall quality of American theatre.