International arts group recognizes Judy Lisi for lifetime achievement and ‘career of caring’

TBPAC president Judy Lisi has received the Patrick Hayes Award for lifetime achievement from ISPA, the International Society for the Performing Arts.

Judy accepted the award at ISPA’s 60th anniversary conference earlier this week.

"I can think of no one who more embodies a willingness to share time and expertise, and has made a career of caring," said David Baile, ISPA CEO, during a dinner program at New York City’s Tavern on the Green.

ISPA is a not-for-profit international organization of more than 600 executives and directors of concert and performance halls, festivals, performing companies, and artist competitions; government cultural officials; artists' managers; and other interested parties with a professional involvement in the performing arts from more than 50 countries in every region of the world, and in every arts discipline.

The purpose of ISPA is to develop, nurture, energize and educate an international network of arts leaders and professionals who are dedicated to advancing the field of the performing arts.

She knows the road

NYC -- To present the League's annual touring Broadway awards, former road warrior Christine Ebersole MCd the evening. She's the current star of "Grey Gardens" on Broadway.

Ebersole toured with Richard Burton in "Camelot," and also with "Oklahoma!" so she knows about life on the road and the occasional unresponsive audience.

In Oklahoma once, a rancher-type came backstage and inadvertently explained their lack of reaction:

"Y'all were so funny it was all we could do to keep from laughing." -- Michael Kilgore/TBPAC