Butler man honored for work in the arts
For his work in promoting the arts in Butler County, Bill Lehnerd has been presented with the first Award for Excellence by the Butler Arts Council.
A Butler resident, Lehnerd taught speech, theater and English for 31 years at Butler High School.
He also taught at Northwestern University, Michigan State University, Indiana Teachers College, and Butler County Community College.
A 1948 graduate of Butler High School, as well as a graduate of Northwestern University and the Pittsburgh Playhouse School of Theatre, Lehnerd has always been involved in the arts.
"Uncle Bill," to many of his theater friends, was a founder, past president and first director of the Musical Theatre Guild in 1962. He founded the Butler Summer Dramatics Project in 1967 and The Masquers Musicals in 1957, directing many of their yearly productions.
Prior to retirement, he directed many of the high school plays as well and sponsored the Butler High School Thespian Troupe for 28 years.
Active with Butler Little Theatre for many years, he directed its first musical in 1961 and has done lighting design for numerous productions.
With a love for on-stage as well as backstage work, Lehnerd has appeared in acting roles large and small with MTG and BLT, as well as other theater companies in several states.
A member of the board of directors of the Butler County Symphony for many years, he currently serves as vice president and head of the property committee.
He was one of the founding members of the original arts council and has assisted the present group with fundraising. He initiated and directs the Butler to Broadway and December in New York theater trips.
His other activities include the Butler Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where he has served more than 1,200 hours working the front information desk.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and has served as vice president. He was a longtime member of the board of the American Field Service and currently is a 34-year committee member of the Butler County Teachers Federal Credit Union.
He is a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church and an Army veteran, Third Infantry Division.
The arts council plans to present the award for excellence annually.
