The California Educational Theatre Association has named Robert Smart as the Theatre Educator of the Year.

The emeritus professor said he is proud to receive the honor though he feels that there are many others out there who are equally deserving of the award.

“I?ve really dedicated my life to the theatre and I am extremely pleased with this recognition,” Smart said. “But there are thousands of theatre educators out there that are just as committed.”

Smart says the honor is a possible result of his development of the Lenaea Festival, an annual weekend-long venue where high school students are given the chance to present one-act plays, monologues and duets. The festival also offers educational presentations and workshops in acting, design, directing, playwriting, technical lighting and sound. “The Lenaea Festival gives high school students a chance to get together and share their work,” Smart said.

The festival, which began in 1957, has grown to include high schools from all of Northern California to Washington State. A total of 74 schools participated in the event this past year.

Aside from the Lenaea festival, Smart has dedicated many hours to the theatre department at Sacramento State. Smart began teaching in the Department of Theatre Arts in 1967, although his ties to Sac State began in 1953 when he enrolled as a freshman. He retired two years ago, but plans to continue teaching part-time through June 2003.

Smart is currently directing the play “A Servant to Two Masters,” which will be performed on campus Oct. 26 to 29 and Nov. 2 through 5.

Over the past 35 years, Smart has directed over 40 plays, including “Prelude to a Kiss,” “Sylvia” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” He has also served as the regional chair for the John F. Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, been the treasurer of the Sacramento Light Opera Association for 30 years, and is currently the president of the Department of Theatre and Dance Alumni Chapter.

“By the time I was in high school, theatre had become my passion, and since then it has never varied,” Smart said.