| WINTER PARK, Fl., Feb., 26, 2008 - During a special ceremony recently held in the Annie Russell Theatre, Rollins College honored five-time Tony Award nominee Dana Ivey (Class of 1963) with an honorary doctorate. “Today we honor one of Rollins’ own. It’s a privilege to conduct this ceremony in Dana’s home in the Annie Russell Theatre during its 75th anniversary,” said Rollins College President Lewis Duncan.
 Right: Rollins Graduate and Actress Dana Ivey with Winter Park Mayor David Strong
Rollins College Director of Theatre Thomas Ouellette said, “Dana first appeared on this stage in 1959 in a small role in Guys and Dolls. Many Annie shows followed and she did everything here from sewing costumes to building sets and even sweeping the stage.”
Ivey was back at Rollins to appear in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Annie. She worked with Rollins students and served as the vocal and dialect coach for the play. “She really rolled up her sleeves here to work with our students on many levels,” said Ouellette. “She was the first to arrive at rehearsal and the last to leave.”
During President Duncan’s reading of the citation for the Doctor of Humane Letters degree that was presented to Ivey, he shared, “The pursuit of high purpose demands courage, fortitude, and faith in oneself. You are one of the few who have achieved your childhood dream. We are gratified that your Rollins education helped lay the foundation on which you have built your craft as an actor, fueling the joy of discovery that informs your art.”
Following the presentation, Ivey received a standing ovation. She then shared, “I am a strong believer in a liberal arts education. I believe it prepares anyone for a better life.” She concluded with “I’m extremely grateful to the school that prepared me for my future. This is a day I will never forget and an honor I will always cherish.”
Winter Park Mayor David Strong also presented Ivey with a key to the city. It is the first one that he has presented.
Ivey majored in theatre at Rollins and went on to study drama at the London Academy of Music and Art. A well-respected veteran of the New York stage, she received the Obie Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character in Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy. She has appeared in many notable Broadway productions, receiving Tony Award nominations for Heartbreak House, Sunday in the Park with George, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Rivals and, just last season, Butley. Her television credits include Law & Order, Frasier, HBO’s Sex in the City, Oz and Homicide. She has appeared in numerous films, including, The Color Purple, Heartburn and Sleepless in Seattle. Ivey was inducted into the prestigious Theater Hall of Fame this past January. |
