As an outgrowth of The Players' 20th Anniversary Season, The Uwharrie Players Hall of Fame was established in 1995. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to encourage long and active service to the organization and to appropriately recognize this service.
A committee made up of current Hall of Fame members considers past and present membership and nominates for the Hall those persons it feels meets the criteria. This criteria includes at least five years of active involvement with The Players and outstanding contributions to the organization on stage and/or behind the scenes. All present members, contributors, and Hall of Fame nominees are entitled to vote for up to 5 nominees (or fewer if they so choose.) To be elected to the Hall of Fame a person must receive votes on 75% of the ballots cast.
A committee made up of current Hall of Fame members considers past and present membership and nominates for the Hall those persons it feels meets the criteria. This criteria includes at least five years of active involvement with The Players and outstanding contributions to the organization on stage and/or behind the scenes. All present members, contributors, and Hall of Fame nominees are entitled to vote for up to 5 nominees (or fewer if they so choose.) To be elected to the Hall of Fame a person must receive votes on 75% of the ballots cast.
Current Hall of Fame Members
Samuel R. Holshouser (Inducted 1995)
Active in the organization from 1977 until his death in 1989, Sam appeared in nine shows and won two UP awards. He built sets for twenty-one productions, and served as both President and Chair of the Board of Directors. Sam is also the namesake for the Samuel R. Holshouser Award which is given to the person who has made the greatest contributions behind-the-scenes to help make the season successful.
Active in the organization from 1977 until his death in 1989, Sam appeared in nine shows and won two UP awards. He built sets for twenty-one productions, and served as both President and Chair of the Board of Directors. Sam is also the namesake for the Samuel R. Holshouser Award which is given to the person who has made the greatest contributions behind-the-scenes to help make the season successful.
J. Reed Furr (Inducted 1996)
Reed was involved with The Uwharrie Players from the organization's very first show in 1975. He appeared in over twenty productions and worked on committees for many others. He won 11 UP awards for acting, was given the Joan M. Giglio Award for service to the Board of Directors and the Samuel R. Holshouser award for behind-the-scenes contributions, and held the offices of Treasurer, President (twice) and Board Chair. Reed was considered to be the unofficial historian of The Players.
Reed was involved with The Uwharrie Players from the organization's very first show in 1975. He appeared in over twenty productions and worked on committees for many others. He won 11 UP awards for acting, was given the Joan M. Giglio Award for service to the Board of Directors and the Samuel R. Holshouser award for behind-the-scenes contributions, and held the offices of Treasurer, President (twice) and Board Chair. Reed was considered to be the unofficial historian of The Players.
Joan M. Giglio (Inducted 1997)
Actively involved with The Uwharrie Players from 1976 until her death in 1989, Joan appeared in thirteen productions, held the job of Stage Manager for six shows, and served on backstage committees for many others. She won one UP award and held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and Board Chair. She also is the namesake for the Joan M. Giglio Award that is awarded each year to a member of the Board of Directors who has gone the most above and beyond the call of duty to help make the season successful.
Actively involved with The Uwharrie Players from 1976 until her death in 1989, Joan appeared in thirteen productions, held the job of Stage Manager for six shows, and served on backstage committees for many others. She won one UP award and held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and Board Chair. She also is the namesake for the Joan M. Giglio Award that is awarded each year to a member of the Board of Directors who has gone the most above and beyond the call of duty to help make the season successful.
Leon E. Warren (Inducted 1999)
Leon worked closely and faithfully with The Uwharrie Players beginning in 1989 when he was hired as the first director of the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. He not only helped coordinate UP productions in the Agri-Civic Center, he also worked directly on many of those productions in areas such as sound, lighting, tickets, and publicity. Leon served on The Uwharrie Players Board of Directors for many years and has won the Joan M. Giglio Award for his contributions to the Board.
Leon worked closely and faithfully with The Uwharrie Players beginning in 1989 when he was hired as the first director of the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. He not only helped coordinate UP productions in the Agri-Civic Center, he also worked directly on many of those productions in areas such as sound, lighting, tickets, and publicity. Leon served on The Uwharrie Players Board of Directors for many years and has won the Joan M. Giglio Award for his contributions to the Board.
Patti W. Furr (Inducted 2000)
Since 1978, Patti has served The Players in almost every behind-the-scenes role possible. She has served as Board Chair, has held the position of Treasurer five times, and has served on the Board of Directors for nearly half the years she has been involved with the organization. Although Patti has made only one brief appearance on stage, she has helped build sets, worked with props and costumes, typed up programs, served as House Manager, and coordinated tickets for many, many shows. For her work over the years with The Players she has been recognized with 5 Joan M. Giglio Awards for board service and 3 Samuel R. Holshouser Awards for behind-the-scenes contributions.
Since 1978, Patti has served The Players in almost every behind-the-scenes role possible. She has served as Board Chair, has held the position of Treasurer five times, and has served on the Board of Directors for nearly half the years she has been involved with the organization. Although Patti has made only one brief appearance on stage, she has helped build sets, worked with props and costumes, typed up programs, served as House Manager, and coordinated tickets for many, many shows. For her work over the years with The Players she has been recognized with 5 Joan M. Giglio Awards for board service and 3 Samuel R. Holshouser Awards for behind-the-scenes contributions.
Martha A. Chapman (Inducted 2003)
Martha has been active with The Uwharrie Players since 1978. She has been both a star on stage and an administrative leader for the organization. Martha has won six UP awards for acting, the Joan M. Giglio Award for service to the Board of Directors, and has served a total of four years as President. She has frequently led the organization's fundraising efforts and has served as Music Director for many UP productions.
Martha has been active with The Uwharrie Players since 1978. She has been both a star on stage and an administrative leader for the organization. Martha has won six UP awards for acting, the Joan M. Giglio Award for service to the Board of Directors, and has served a total of four years as President. She has frequently led the organization's fundraising efforts and has served as Music Director for many UP productions.
Edna Lipe-Harkey (Inducted 2005)
Edna made her acting debut with The Uwharrie Players in 1983, and has been a consistent artistic and administrative force for over twenty years. She has won eleven UP awards for acting, the Joan M. Giglio Award for board service, and the Samuel R. Holshouser Award five times for behind-the-scenes work. Edna has held numerous positions of leadership with The Players including President and Board Chair. She has also achieved near-legendary status for designing and making beautiful costumes for many UP shows.
Edna made her acting debut with The Uwharrie Players in 1983, and has been a consistent artistic and administrative force for over twenty years. She has won eleven UP awards for acting, the Joan M. Giglio Award for board service, and the Samuel R. Holshouser Award five times for behind-the-scenes work. Edna has held numerous positions of leadership with The Players including President and Board Chair. She has also achieved near-legendary status for designing and making beautiful costumes for many UP shows.
Kent C. Harkey (Inducted 2007)
Kent first performed with The Uwharrie Players in 1983 and has appeared in twenty plus productions. He has won nine UP awards for acting and has created many memorable characters for the stage. Kent has also been a tireless worker behind-the-scenes heading committees on costumes, props, publicity and fundraising, and serving as the Production Manager for The Players' largest show to date, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. For his behind-the-scenes work he has been honored with the Samuel R. Holshouser Award. He has also held the office of UP President and has twice served as Board Chair.
Kent first performed with The Uwharrie Players in 1983 and has appeared in twenty plus productions. He has won nine UP awards for acting and has created many memorable characters for the stage. Kent has also been a tireless worker behind-the-scenes heading committees on costumes, props, publicity and fundraising, and serving as the Production Manager for The Players' largest show to date, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. For his behind-the-scenes work he has been honored with the Samuel R. Holshouser Award. He has also held the office of UP President and has twice served as Board Chair.
Joseph Giglio Jr. (Inducted 2010)
Joe was active in The Uwharrie Players from 1977 until his death in 1997. He appeared in 19 shows and served multiple terms on the Board of Directors. He also served as Board Chair in 1978. Joe did extensive volunteer work with The Players during his active years, especially in the areas of set construction, programs, and fundraising. He won one UP award for acting. Joe and his wife, Joan, also famously hosted many UP cast parties.
Joe was active in The Uwharrie Players from 1977 until his death in 1997. He appeared in 19 shows and served multiple terms on the Board of Directors. He also served as Board Chair in 1978. Joe did extensive volunteer work with The Players during his active years, especially in the areas of set construction, programs, and fundraising. He won one UP award for acting. Joe and his wife, Joan, also famously hosted many UP cast parties.
Harriet H. Brooks (Inducted 2010)
Harriet has been active with The Uwharrie Players since 1990. She has appeared in five shows, and has served numerous terms on the Board of Directors. Over the years, Harriet has given extensive time to volunteer work for The Players, especially in the area of props and on backstage crews during productions. To date, she has won the Samuel R. Holshouser and Joan M. Giglio Awards more often than any other member of The Uwharrie Players.
Harriet has been active with The Uwharrie Players since 1990. She has appeared in five shows, and has served numerous terms on the Board of Directors. Over the years, Harriet has given extensive time to volunteer work for The Players, especially in the area of props and on backstage crews during productions. To date, she has won the Samuel R. Holshouser and Joan M. Giglio Awards more often than any other member of The Uwharrie Players.
Michael T. Furr (Inducted 2011)
Michael literally grew up in The Uwharrie Players - his family became involved when he was 3 years old. He appeared in his first production when he was 9, and he has now appeared in over 25 shows. He has 10 UP awards to his credit, and has served the organization as President and as a member of the Board of Directors. He is a past winner of the Joan M. Giglio Award, and is now the first 'second generation' Player inducted into The UP Hall of Fame.
Michael literally grew up in The Uwharrie Players - his family became involved when he was 3 years old. He appeared in his first production when he was 9, and he has now appeared in over 25 shows. He has 10 UP awards to his credit, and has served the organization as President and as a member of the Board of Directors. He is a past winner of the Joan M. Giglio Award, and is now the first 'second generation' Player inducted into The UP Hall of Fame.
Gary L. Moran (Inducted 2013)
Gary has been involved with The Uwharrie Players since 1983 and has appeared in 19 plus shows. He has served as both President and Treasurer, as well as served numerous terms on the Board of Directors. Gary was the primary force in starting the annual UP Awards Banquet, and has served as MC for this event on numerous occasions. He is one of The Players' most popular performers and has won 18 UP awards for acting - the most of any member in the organization to date.
Gary has been involved with The Uwharrie Players since 1983 and has appeared in 19 plus shows. He has served as both President and Treasurer, as well as served numerous terms on the Board of Directors. Gary was the primary force in starting the annual UP Awards Banquet, and has served as MC for this event on numerous occasions. He is one of The Players' most popular performers and has won 18 UP awards for acting - the most of any member in the organization to date.
Colleen M. Conroy (Inducted 2015)
Colleen has been involved with The Uwharrie Players since 1989. She has appeared in 11 shows and has served the organization as Board Chair, President (twice), Vice-President and Treasurer (many times). As one who is willing to help The Players in any way she can, Colleen has done extensive volunteer work in the areas of costumes, lighting, publicity, tickets, and fundraising. She is the winner of 4 UP awards for acting and has won the Joan M. Giglio Award as outstanding Board member.
Colleen has been involved with The Uwharrie Players since 1989. She has appeared in 11 shows and has served the organization as Board Chair, President (twice), Vice-President and Treasurer (many times). As one who is willing to help The Players in any way she can, Colleen has done extensive volunteer work in the areas of costumes, lighting, publicity, tickets, and fundraising. She is the winner of 4 UP awards for acting and has won the Joan M. Giglio Award as outstanding Board member.
Rodney A. Almond (Inducted 2016)
Rod Almond has been involved with The Uwharrie Players a total of 15 years to date, and has appeared in 14 stage productions. He has served the organization as Board Chair (twice), and has served on the Board of Directors numerous times. He was the primary force in establishing The Players' annual holiday radio show, and has directed the radio show many times. He has directed 4 full stage productions and has done extensive volunteer work in the areas of play selection, tickets, publicity, and house managing. He is the winner of 3 UP acting awards, and is a winner of the Joan M. Giglio Award.
Rod Almond has been involved with The Uwharrie Players a total of 15 years to date, and has appeared in 14 stage productions. He has served the organization as Board Chair (twice), and has served on the Board of Directors numerous times. He was the primary force in establishing The Players' annual holiday radio show, and has directed the radio show many times. He has directed 4 full stage productions and has done extensive volunteer work in the areas of play selection, tickets, publicity, and house managing. He is the winner of 3 UP acting awards, and is a winner of the Joan M. Giglio Award.
Audrey P. Barringer (Inducted 2023)
Audrey has brought laughter onstage in comedic roles and grateful smiles offstage with her dedicated work and supportive spirit. She began working with The Players backstage crew in 2009 with her first performance on stage happening in 2011. Performer in nine shows and Prop Master for thirteen she has been a willing behind-the-scenes worker for countless others. To date, Audrey has won five UP awards.
Audrey has brought laughter onstage in comedic roles and grateful smiles offstage with her dedicated work and supportive spirit. She began working with The Players backstage crew in 2009 with her first performance on stage happening in 2011. Performer in nine shows and Prop Master for thirteen she has been a willing behind-the-scenes worker for countless others. To date, Audrey has won five UP awards.
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