Madeworthy’s November/December Fort Worthies

With the launch of Madeworthy, we wanted to have a page dedicated to local people, places, and events that add to our city. Originally called “Be Seen,” this page was renamed “Fort Worthies” in our first anniversary issue. Here are the Fort Worthies we featured in our November/December issue.

Congratulations to Strother Norman, who raised over $8000 for the Dallas Jr. Wheelchair Mavericks team on North Texas Giving Day! The Fort Worth Country Day student has played wheelchair basketball for six years. “It’s my favorite sport, and I love spending time traveling with my teammates and playing all over the country.” Through the generosity of Strother’s family and friends who helped him exceed his goal, the team is able to continue to compete. The writing and editorial staff of Madeworthy salutes you, Strother! 

Camp Fire First Texas is excited to announce Lauren Richard as their next president/CEO. Richard comes to Camp Fire from Dallas, where she was the executive director of Project Transformation. “This was the next logical step in my career trajectory… I am looking forward to putting down roots with Camp Fire and leading the organization into its promising future,” said Richard. “Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective that will take this organization forward! She has the background, temperament, and commitment to tackle the challenges of leading a multi-faceted organization like Camp Fire,” says Ann Sheets, the outgoing president/CEO.  

Texas native Afton Battle has been chosen as the eighth general director of the Fort Worth Opera. Ms. Battle’s “warmth, energy, focus, and fresh perspectives on our beloved art form make her ideally suited to lead us into Fort Worth Opera’s 75th anniversary and beyond,” says Fort Worth Opera Board Chair Nelson E. Claytor, Ph.D. Ms. Battle’s long-term vision for Fort Worth Opera includes a commitment to forging new alliances with local arts organizations, bolstering current partnerships, expanding civic engagement, and building a world-class Resident and Studio Artist Program to foster the next generation of opera singers. In addition, she is dedicated to leveling the field of equity, inclusivity, and equality both on and off the stage.  

Full-service merchandising company Printed Threads is celebrating its 10th anniversary along with its move to the historic O.B. Macaroni building. The new location provides more room for the company’s high-quality merchandising work, as well as the expansion of their creative services to include graphic design, branding, and more. Owner Brett Bowden launched the business from his garage in 2010 and now includes the Dallas Mavericks, the Toadies, Toms, and Pat Green as customers. “We are so glad to be in the heart of Fort Worth,” Bowden says. “I love this town and am excited to be a contributor to the culture and community here.”  

Founded by two Fort Worthians with performing in their blood, the Slaughter Family Arts Awards seeks to “recognize and promote excellence and effort in the fine arts community” by giving scholarships to high school students. Rebecca Slaughter performed with the School of American Ballet in New York City, while husband J. Mack is an actor/singer/songwriter-turned emergency medicine physician who runs a nonprofit called Music Meets Medicine in his spare time. They are thrilled to be continuing the Slaughter family’s long tradition of philanthropy (a predecessor founded what became Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas). Awards will be given for Dance, Theater, Music, Voice, and Visual Arts. Proceeds from the award event will support a student-driven fine arts outreach program for underserved communities.  

Tune into Stage West’s new podcast Porch Talk, available wherever you get your podcasts, a journey with and opportunity to learn from the voices of the North Texas theatre community. Hosted by Stage West’s Company Manager and resident Stage Manager Tiffany Cromwell, Porch Talk features funny and passionate discussions with diverse artists about how they navigate the world and come out on top. Each episode will feature otherly-abled innovators, LGBTQ+ creators, artists of color, and more. The goal of Porch Talk is to strengthen bonds and deepen equality in the DFW theatre community.  

If you or someone you know has done something wonderful, please contact our editor at lee@madeworthymedia.com.