2024 Spotlight Award Special Honorees
A Tribute to Greg Stratton & Gary Thomas, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions
and remarkable dedication to the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center and Foundation during their lifetimes.
Greg Stratton
At this year’s Spotlight Awards, the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation honors former Mayor of Simi Valley and longtime supporter of the SVCAC Foundation, Mr. Greg Stratton. Greg was integral to the early success of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center and continued to be a strong supporter throughout his life, enjoying nearly every production and many of our concerts from his favorite seats in the front row balcony with his beloved wife Ede.
Greg was mayor when the Cultural Arts Center first opened and played a huge part in why we are still here nearly 30 years later. He had an incredibly astute talent for budgeting and helped set up the operations of the Center as well as remained a stalwart advocate throughout his tenure at the City and beyond. After his retirement, Greg served as a member of the Simi Valley Arts Commission – continuing his dedication and support of the Center and helping to insure its continued success in the community.
Stratton was mayor from November 1986 to November 1998, including during the Northridge earthquake and the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum as well as the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. Before being elected mayor, Stratton was a member of the Simi Valley City Council. He also served as a member of the Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.
A community leader, Greg helped lead many public projects in the city, including a new city hall, senior center, Boys & Girls Club, a Department of Motor Vehicles and a police station. He moved to Simi Valley in 1968 and worked as an engineering software manager for Northrop Grumman before his retirement in 2006.
Gary Thomas
At this year’s Spotlight Awards, the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation pays tribute to one of their own, Mr. Gary M. Thomas. Gary was a former President of and longtime member of the SVCAC Foundation Board of Directors and a huge supporter of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.
Gary was a friend, patron, and tireless force who for many years gave so much to the Simi Valley arts community. His talents, creative energy, and leadership are profoundly missed, but nowhere more than at the Spotlight Awards. This gala was Gary’s favorite Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation event of the year.
Former Senior Vice President and Creative Director for Aaron, Thomas & Associates in Chatsworth, Gary was better known for his civic and community activities, with a lengthy list of nonprofit boards on which he served. He was a longtime Chairman of the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley and served on a number of nonprofit boards of directors throughout the San Fernando and Simi Valleys. Gary encouraged many people to become active in nonprofit organizations and activities and was always providing assistance to youngsters who needed some special help or providing opportunities to enrich their lives. In 2011, Gary was honored with the Fernando Award, the Valley’s most important recognition for lifetime volunteerism and civic engagement.
2024 Spotlight Award Honorees
Marie Bennett, 2024 Pillar of the Arts
For 17 years, Marie Bennett has served on the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation. Currently Director Emeritus and Immediate Past President, Marie has been instrumental in the fundraising efforts in support of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, especially the planning of many Spotlight Awards over the years.
Having worked in the entertainment industry before retiring, being part of an organization committed to supporting the arts in our community is near and dear to her heart. Marie moved to Simi Valley in 1999 and embraced its volunteer culture. In addition to the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation, she has served on many boards and nonprofits including the Simi Valley Police Foundation, Chamber of Commerce Leadership Steering Committee, Soroptimists, and as a docent at the Reagan Library.
Marie has made a positive impact on our community because of her long standing commitment to her causes, her leadership and personal connection with those she serves and serves with. Most recently, she was named the City of Simi Valley 2024 Community Volunteer of the Year. She is an inspiration to those who meet her and those who have known her. Not only is she this year’s Spotlight Awards Pillar of the Arts, but a Pillar of our community.
Artist of the Year
Philip McBride
Philip McBride is an LA-based performer and producer. Recent producing credits include Losing Your Humanity (2023 Hollywood Fringe), In The Heights (Morgan-Wixson Theatre & SVCAC) and the upcoming 2024 summer production of Footloose (Morgan-Wixson Theatre). Recent performance credits include Merrily We Roll Along (Charley), Something Rotten! (Nick Bottom), elf – the musical (Buddy), [title of show] (Hunter), Broadway and Beyond (Performer and Co-Creator), The Prom (Barry Glickman) and Mary Poppins (Bert). When not producing or performing, Philip uses his spare time to pursue his other passion as arranger/orchestrator for his music preparation company, Pikakee Music. Favorite arranging/orchestrating credits include Broadway and Beyond, On The Twentieth Century, Bucket List Cabaret Series and Relationship Status: It’s Complicated. For all of my guardian angels – who have the best seats in the house. For more info: PhilipLMcBride.com
Young Artist of the Year
Delilah Shafer
Delilah Shafer is 13 years old and has performed in four main stage shows at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. She first appeared on the main stage at 8 years old as Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical. In early 2024, she played Monteen in Parade. In 2022 and 2023, she performed as an Ancestor in The Addams Family, and in the Dream Chorus in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Delilah has also appeared in multiple shows at the local ARTSpace Black Box Theater, including as Rhoda Penmark in The Bad Seed, Tina Denmark in Ruthless! The Musical, and Mary Tilford in The Children’s Hour. Delilah would like to thank Fred and the staff at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center for this incredible honor, as well as Jan, David and Kimmy for their support, vision and guidance.
Volunteer of the Year
Laurie Love
A Simi Valley resident for 45 years, Laurie started volunteering in May 2022 and the Cultural Arts Center has been a fun and rewarding experience for her. Over the past two years, Laurie has volunteered at every show and many of the concerts and is always impressed with the incredible talent our theater attracts. She enjoys being part of a team that works to make the guests feel welcome and ensure that they have a great time at the theater. Laurie loves it when the lights dim and the curtain goes up and it’s show time! Her two children also live in Ventura County so Laurie feels fortunate to spend lots of time with her four grandchildren, ages 12-7. Besides being a gramma, Laurie loves going to any place with live music and dancing; hanging out with fun people; visiting good restaurants and traveling to new places.
Educator of the Year
Dr. Stephen Pietrolungo
The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation honors Dr. Stephen Pietrolungoas the Educator of the Year. “Dr. P.” is the principal at Monte Vista Independent Study School. He opened the SVUSD campus nine years ago for students K-12. His school offers many art education choices for students who may not otherwise have the opportunity. A veteran educator with over 30 years experience, Dr. P. began his career working in the nursery industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education at CalPoly SLO. His passion for horticulture and floriculture enabled him, when he was first a teacher at Canoga Park H.S. ,to get his Flower Design class approved as a UCA-G Art Elective. At Monte Vista ,his high school students can earn Fine Arts credits towards their diploma by taking his courses. Dr. P. says two of his favorite things are “being a principal at Monte Vista and teaching students about horticulture and floriculture.”