Wm. Perry Morgan will always be remembered as the founding father of NJACT. In 1973, he created the AVY Awards, which would later become the Perry Awards, and in doing so, he planted the seeds of a movement that has grown into one of the most cherished traditions in New Jersey community theater. His vision was simple yet profound: to recognize genuine artistry when he saw it and to give community theater artists the respect and celebration they deserved. What began with Perry and his friends more than fifty years ago has blossomed into an annual tradition that uplifts and honors thousands of performers, directors, designers, and theater lovers across the state.

Perry’s impact reached far beyond New Jersey. He built an extraordinary career as a director, composer, actor, and educator. His directing credits included work with the Texas Shakespeare Festival, Riverside Shakespeare, Playhouse On The Square, Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Barter Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Cane River Rep, The Rep in Little Rock, and Summerblue on the shores of Lake Superior. He also helmed the acclaimed tour of The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me for Fish Tank Productions. As a performer, his roles in productions such as Mass Appeal and The Boys in the Band earned him recognition and awards, while his work with the First Amendment Improv Company and the original cast of the revue Smoke Rings showcased his versatility. His one-man show, Identity, premiered at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, Colorado, further demonstrating his artistry and creativity.

As a composer, Perry’s career was equally distinguished. Serving as Company Composer for Cara Gargano and Dancers, he premiered ballet and dance scores in New York, Switzerland, and France. For more than twenty years, he worked with Pyramid Productions in Indiana, earning two Grammy Award nominations. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, he held a BFA and MS from Long Island University, an MFA in Contemporary Theatre Performance from Naropa University, and was a graduate of The Actor’s Institute Mastery Program in New York City.

In 2011, Perry and his wife, actress and professor Josephine Hall, joined the faculty at Greensboro College. There, Perry became Professor of Theatre and Director of the Musical Theatre Program, quickly endearing himself to students and colleagues alike. He was not only a gifted director and teacher but also a mentor whose wisdom, humor, and generosity left a lasting imprint. He inspired those around him to take creative risks, embrace bold ideas, and live more fully through the arts. His students, colleagues, and friends will always carry the lessons he shared both inside and outside the rehearsal hall.

In August 2025, the theater world suffered an immeasurable loss when Perry Morgan tragically passed away. His absence is deeply felt by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless communities he touched. And yet, his spirit endures. Every time the curtain rises, every bow is taken, every note of music fills a theater, and every Perry Awards Gala brings artists together in joy and pride, his vision lives on.

Perry Morgan’s leadership was rooted in kindness, inclusivity, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts. He nurtured a community that became a family, and through his life’s work, he gave community theater in New Jersey and beyond the recognition it deserved. The NJACT Perry Awards stand as a testament to his love for true artistry—a legacy that will forever remain center stage.

We are, and always will be, profoundly grateful for Wm. Perry Morgan.