Susan Stepputtis recently competed with 30 other actors in the Ohio Community Theatre Association's regional competition and earned their "EXCELLENCE IN ACTING" award, one of only two given, for her poignant portrayal of Bella, a loveable, mentally challenged woman in the Neil Simon play, "Lost in Yonkers". Stepputtis reprised her Hope Players role for the competition.
Stepputtis, who has appeared in more than 50 productions in 12 theatres in Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina, including Tamarack, said "Bella is the role that won Mercedes Ruehl both a Tony and an Oscar. Bella, though a seemingly simple person, is a marvelous character that allows an actress to show great range and multiple layering from peals of laughter to sobs of despair all in one scene. This is one of my favorite roles because of this mixture of joy and pathos, and I am truly honored to receive OCTA's hightest recognition."
