Photo by Curtis Brown Photography

William Hayes and Sue Ellen Beryl

In December 2000, in a rundown, soon-to-be-demolished theatre at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a new nonprofit theatre company staged its first-ever production. Its apt title: Greetings!

Starting out with a shoestring budget of $10,000 — which included the cost of renting the theatre — the company produced three plays during its inaugural season. The response from patrons and critics was encouraging. As one reviewer noted: “Time [and] the group’s resolve… will tell whether Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) has staying power.”

Indeed, it has.

Many consider PBD one of South Florida’s most invaluable arts organizations. That is, thanks in large part to the visionary leadership and tenacious fiscal stewardship of two of its co-founders: married couple William Hayes, Producing Artistic Director, and Sue Ellen Beryl, who will step down as Managing Director on September 1.

The award-winning company, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, produces “Theatre to Think About” — a compelling mix of classic and contemporary plays, overlooked gems, and world premieres that inspire, engage, challenge, and entertain audiences while illuminating our shared humanity. People have also come to recognize PBD for its innovative educational programs, strong community engagement, and role as a vital incubator for new works.

Among its many honors are the 2016 Muse Award for Outstanding Major Arts & Cultural Organization from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County and the 2024 Non-Profit of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

It’s been a remarkable journey — from those humble beginnings with a “Mickey-and-Judy-putting-on-a-show-in-a-barn” vibe to a state-of-the-art venue on Clematis Street, custom-renovated to meet the founders’ specifications.

Though Beryl is stepping down to spend more time with her children and grandchildren, she will remain an active part of the company. She will focus on launching an endowment and strengthening relationships with patrons and donors. Meanwhile, Hayes will continue to lead and inspire with “Theatre to Think About.”

“We are so thrilled and honored to have been selected to receive the George Abbott Award because of what it represents,” the couple said in a statement. “We can honestly say that founding and building Palm Beach Dramaworks together has been one of the great joys of our lives. And we truly believe that by recognizing us, you’re really recognizing the company. We couldn’t have succeeded without surrounding ourselves with equally passionate people who brought their own strengths to the table. So, we salute all the remarkable individuals we’ve worked with over the years and extend our deepest gratitude to the Carbonell Awards for adding our names to such a prestigious list of recipients.”

Past recipients of the George Abbott Award include Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz (2024); theatre critic and Carbonell judge Christine Dolen (2023); composer and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, co-founder and Artistic Director Laureate of the New World Symphony (2022); Barbara and Lawrence E. Stein, founders of Actors’ Playhouse (2022); Kelley Shanley, President & CEO of the Broward Center (2020); playwright and designer Michael McKeever of Zoetic Stage (2019); Gail Garrisan, founding artistic director of City Theatre’s Summer Shorts (2018); and many more influential leaders.

The Carbonell Awards will soon solicit nominations for up to seven additional special awards from South Florida’s theatre community. They include the newly created Jan McArt Award for significant achievement by a small theatre.

The Carbonells will announce recipients in August. In September, the board will also reveal the 120 finalists in 20 competitive categories, based on scores from nearly 50 experienced and diverse volunteer judges — with seven assigned to each production.

This year’s Carbonell Awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 17. It is South Florida’s glittering version of the Tony Awards. Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director and CEO of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, produces and directs the event. And award-winning Caryl Fantel is music director. Tickets to the ceremony and after-party cost $45. They will go on sale in mid-September.

The Carbonell Awards foster the artistic growth of professional theatre in South Florida by celebrating artistic diversity, awarding educational scholarships, and promoting community pride through the recognition of theatrical excellence. More than 20 professional companies from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties participate annually in the awards process.

Alongside New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell Awards are among the nation’s oldest regional arts honors — predating even Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes Awards.

The award’s namesake, internationally renowned sculptor Manuel Carbonell, designed the original solid bronze and marble trophy in 1976. Over the last 48 years, the Carbonell family has donated more than $250,000 in awards. Each year, the iconic trophy is presented to all winners.

For more information, visit www.carbonellawards.org.