In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that I learned of the recent deaths of both Audrey M. Ashley and Dick Maloney. Both Audrey and Dick made lasting impacts on the arts community in Ottawa. Both believed passionately in arts education and were supporters of the work that we do with young people at OSSD.
Singer, song writer and musical personality Dick Maloney had a long involvement with the Ottawa School of Speech & Drama. In 2002, he wrote and recorded an original song in honour of Sandrine Craig, a student at OSSD who had tragically died in an accident. Dick’s signature velvet voice lent poignancy to OSSD’s tribute to Sandrine. In 2007, OSSD initiated the “Dick Maloney Award for Intermediate Musical Theatre” in honour of Dick’s life long commitment to the music industry in Ottawa. The award is presented annually to a student who has shown originality, passion and a commitment to musical exploration. LINK
Audrey M. Ashley served as theatre critic for the Citizen for 24 years. During that time she made a profound impact on the development of the theatre arts community in Ottawa. Ms. Ashley regularly reviewed theatre in Ottawa as well as at The Stratford and Shaw Festivals and Broadway. In her time in Ottawa she covered the creation of the NAC and the rise of its resident company. Although she moved to Stratford in 1985, she remained involved in, and passionate about, the development of the theatre community in Ottawa. In 2010, OSSD initiated the “Development of Creative Voice Award: Honouring Audrey M. Ashley”. The award is presented to a student who has shown a passion for language and the beginnings of a unique artistic connection to text. LINK
Dick and Audrey will be sorely missed by the OSSD community. On behalf of the students, staff and board, OSSD sends condolences to the families. We are honoured to keep alive the legacies of Dick Maloney and Audrey M. Ashley through the awards in their names.
For more information about The Dick Maloney Award for Intermediate Musical Theatre or the Development of Creative Voice Award; Honouring Audrey M. Ashley, please contact the OSSD office at (613) 567-6788, info@ossd.com