Media’s Hedgerow Theatre recently celebrated almost a century of excellence at its 95th anniversary celebration at The Old Mill, writes Peg DeGrassa for the Daily Times.

The nation’s oldest professional resident theatre company used its benefit gala – entitled “Belle of the Ball” – to honor director emeritus Penelope Reed for her lifetime of work and dedication.

Reed, a former president of the Rotary Club of Media, is known as a visionary in theatre circles and throughout the community. She also created an outreach program at Hedgerow and started both the theatre school and theatre camp there.

In addition to being the 2017 Barrymore Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Reed is considered to be the heart and soul of Hedgerow.

The celebratory event was co-chaired by Hedgerow board members Jane McNeil and Richard Taxin.

The funds raised will benefit the Penelope Reed Education Fund and the Jewel Box Theatre Campaign. The former aims to preserve the theatre’s educational programming for underserved youth, while the latter is for the refurbishment and preservation of Hedgerow’s 180-year-old theatre.

Read more about Hedgerow Theatre in the Daily Times by clicking here.