The Monterey Peninsula Theatre Trust, an institution founded to support theater arts at Monterey Peninsula College, issued its first Teresa Del Piero Award for Theatre Excellence. The award, along with a grant for $750, went to MPC Theatre Arts student Teddy Hall, who most recently could be seen in Dancing at Lughnasa, in which he played the role of Michael.
“We asked MPC Theatre chairman Todd Siff to identify a student who embodied a dedication to the program at MPC in selecting the first recipient of the award that honors the memory of Teresa Del Piero," noted MPTT Board President Gary Bolen, who had served as the department’s chairman for over a decade, in a press release.
Del Piero, who died March 3, moved to Monterey in 1985 arriving with a degree in acting. In addition to acting in local movies, she was incredibly active in the local theater and film community, serving as a president of Monterey County Film Commission of which she was the founding member, as well as being on board of the Monterey County Theatre Alliance and the Carmel Art and Film Festival.
According to Bolen, Del Piero was an integral part of rebuilding the MPC Theatre Arts department after budget and staffing cuts that took place in 2014.
“We felt it was only proper and fitting that the recipient be someone dedicated not just to their own pursuits in theatre, but the overall vitality and quality of the program,” wrote Bolen on behalf of the MPTT’s board, who voted unanimously to create the award, which will be granted annually to an outstanding student in the MPC Theatre Arts program.
“Teddy's commitment, work ethic, and generosity both in the classroom and in production work is unmatched,” says Siff who has been teaching and practicing theater arts at MPC since 2023.
“Teddy always shows up prepared and, most importantly, is kind to everyone he meets. MPC Theatre wishes him great success on his next academic journey," he says.
Before studying at MPC, Hall attended American River College, Santa Barbara City College and College of San Mateo. He has been a part of four productions, including An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, We Will Rock You and Our Town.