NewsRelease

Contact: Publicity by Shelley/Klaner Public Relations
415/382.7770KlanerPR@aol.com
For Immediate Release
Nov. 21, 2011

The Ross Valley Players (RVP) has presented its first-ever Life Time Contribution Award to
John Brebner of Petaluma for five decades of dedication to the organization.

“The new award was created because the Players board of directors realized we needed a way to recognize the hard work and diligence by volunteers who have made the theater company one of the most recognized in the Bay Area,” said board president Stephanie Ahlberg of Greenbrae.

Brebner, 88, was surprised by the award at a recent production of the Ross Valley Players’ How to Kill a Mockingbird. Ahlberg presented him flowers and a lifetime theater pass. A permanent plaque in his honor will be hung on the Barn Theater door wall.

The theatric professional first directed a play at the theater in 1953 with Anniversary Waltz, which was one of the first shows presented on the new Barn Theater stage. He last directed The Importance of Being Earnest in 2004 (the opening play of the theater’s 75^th season).

Brebner directed more than 26 productions for RVP and was well known for entertaining audiences with summer melodramas and Oleo productions in the 1980s.

Not only a director, Brebner has graced the Barn Stage in many acting roles including appearances in: A Man for All Seasons (1980), Sleuth (1985), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1991), Seasons Greetings (1991), Oh Coward (1992), and The Hollow Crown (1992).

Brebner served as president for RVP from 1991 to 1992 and was instrumental in procuring funds to build the RVP Scene Shop.

His theatrical background goes back to his time as a child actor in London. He was educated at Kings College and the Old Vic School Theatre School, also in London. Brebner came to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar for the Drama Department at the University of California at Stanford in 1950.

Besides working with RVP, Brebner was cofounder and the first artistic director of the Marin Shakespeare Festival (Shakes) in the ‘60s. He owned his own theater company John Brebner and Associates which played in California and Alaska schools in the ‘70s. He also worked with many other performing arts groups including: Oregon Shakespeare Company, Sausalito Players, Marin Civic Light Opera, Theater Artists of Marin, Novato Community Players, Mill Valley Center for the Performing Arts and more. He also has appeared in films and video productions.

Brebner accepted the award, smiled, and said: “I am still here…”