Sustained Achievement

The Gregory A. Falls Sustained Achievement Award

The Gregory A. Falls Sustained Achievement Award honors individuals in our theatrical community who have given their time, energy and talents over a number of years. In particular, this award honors people who have had a widespread positive effect on the community.  The recipient is determined by a process separate from the rest of the awards. This year, the award went to Chris Bennion, who has dedicated over thirty-five years of his time and talents as a professional photographer to promoting and documenting theatre in the Puget Sound region.

Recipient

Chris Bennion

Chris was born in Boston, raised in Riverside, Connecticut, completed a 2-year program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and went on to graduate from Stanford University.  Margaret Booker, a classmate, invited him to Seattle in 1973 to photograph her new theater, Intiman.  Seattle felt like home, and he’s been here since 1975.  In addition to Intiman, Chris has worked with ACT, Seattle Repertory Theatre, 5th Avenue, Seattle Opera, Empty Space, Book-It, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Alice B.  He has shot several national tours including Proof, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hairspray and Annie. He has also done considerable editorial photography, corporate annual reports and foreign trips for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.