Named for former CTFA President Orlin Corey, this award recognizes artists, educators, administrators, activists and others whose visionary works for youth embodies the core values of the Childrens Theatre Foundation of America.

ANNOUNCING CTFA's

2025 Corey Medallion Award Honorees

David Kilpatrick - Mireya Hepner

On this day of the Spring Equinox,

As we stand poised between the darkness of Winter and the hope of Spring,

CTFA is thrilled to honor two seminal figures of our field with the Orlin Corey Medallion.

-Two administrators whose impact has spanned the country from Washington D,C to California,

-Two producer/directors who have championed new work and left a legacy of excellence

-Two beloved mentors who have inspired emerging and established artists and audiences of all ages.

-Two extraordinary human beings who embody integrity and kindness at a time where the world needs it most. Congratulations!

2025 David Kilpatrick is the Senior Director of Education Programs and Productions at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts where he helms Performances for Young Audiences, Career Development, Audience Education and Engagement, Events for Students, American College Theater Festival, and Moonshot Studio. David has organized festivals and conferences that have had both national and global impact. He has more than 20 years’ experience in managing large teams and planning operations in the nonprofit and arts education sectors. Miriam Gonzales writes, “David has dedicated his career to the world of TYA as an administrator, leader, manager, playwright, and mentor. He believes in people, he believes in the art, he believes in young audiences.”

2025 Mireya Hepner is a Theatre Producer and Founder of In Other People’s Shoes Productions (a new TYA company). Mireya also teaches Theatre Management & Organizational Structure for USC School of Dramatic Arts. She has served for 35+ years in American theatre including 14 seasons as the Artistic Director of MainStreet Theatre Company (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) where she receive acclaim for curating and collaborating on 40 AEA productions for young people and families. A veteran of professional and family theatre she has also worked for The Walt Disney Company, Radio City Productions, and numerous theatres in New York and Los Angeles. José Cruz González summarizes her contributions by saying, “Her producing skills are her magic.”

Awards Presentation 2025

Honorees of CTFA’S 2025 Orlin Corey Medallions, David Kilpatrick and Mireya Hepner, will receive their Awards during

TYA/USA National Festival and Conference - joint Awards Event, Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Become a Medallion Award PATRON

Stand Up with CTFA as a Medallion Award PATRON

As we celebrate the accomplishments of our recipients, we ask you to become a Medallion Patron to enable us to continue supporting TYA artists and organizations in an increasingly imperiled time.

Stand up for the values we hold dear and stand behind the power of theatre as a vital component of our cultural ecosystem.

Our recipients have dedicated their lives to the belief that theatre can make a positive difference, one child at a time, one performance at a time, one community at a time, Help us continue their legacy with your Orlin Corey Medallion PATRON Donation.

Thank You! --Suzan Zeder, President and CTFA's Board of Trustees

Stand UP! A Donor response by April 4th will allow us to show your support on our May Awards Event PATRON's List at the Award Ceremony.

(Your gift will also be be listed on CTFA's website.)

You honor the recipients of the Orlin Corey Medallion Awards by becoming a PATRON of the Medallion Awards with your tax-deductible gift.

LIST of Past Recipients of the Medallion Awards.

www.childrenstheatrefoundation.org

*ABOUT CTFA please watch our 3 min. video:One Child at a Time*

The Childrens Theatre Foundation of America values: Children and Youth, The Art of Theatre, Excellence, Innovation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.