AUM’s Val Winkelman honored for contributions to Alabama theatre
Val Winkelman, Distinguished Research Professor in AUM’s Department of Communication and Theatre, was recently awarded the 2026 Marian Gallaway Award for Contributions to Theatre in Alabama from the Alabama Conference of Theatre (ACT).
Winkelman was honored at the 2026 ACT Annual Summit, “Why Theatre Matters,” held at Auburn University at Montgomery in late August. The event featured a keynote address and a full-day conference consisting of various workshops, roundtable discussions, and business meetings.
“I am extremely honored to receive this award for contributions to the field of theatre,” Winkelman said. “My career has been dedicated to collaborating with the next generation of theatre professionals at AUM and beyond.”
The Marian Gallaway Award is presented annually to an individual with a sustained history of service and contribution to Alabama theatre at the local and statewide levels. Recipients must have served on the ACT Board or held leadership roles with organizations such as the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) or theatre unions. Their contributions may include scholarship, leadership, workshops or competitions that raise the profile of Alabama theatre.
Winkelman currently serves as a national co-chair for ACTF and previously served as a national chair for design, technology and management with the festival. Throughout her career, Winkelman has served in numerous theatre leadership roles and received honors, including the AUM Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Service and the Region IV American College Theatre Festival Gold Medallion. She has designed costumes for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and serves of the Board for Booker T. Washington Magnet High School.
Winkelman is the third Theatre AUM faculty or staff member to receive the Marian Gallaway Award. Katie Pearson received the award in 2018, followed by Neil David Seibel in 2020.
About the Alabama Conference of Theatre
The Alabama Conference of Theatre (ACT) is a network of theatre artists dedicated to promoting, strengthening, and sustaining theatre in Alabama. The organization builds connections throughout the theatre community to improve the quality of the theatre and performing arts at all levels throughout the state.
ACT serves as a premiere resource for theatre through their five branches: Theatre for Youth, Secondary, College/University, Community, and Professional. The organization hosts theatre festivals and provides resources and professional development opportunities to theatre artists throughout Alabama.
