Bob Knowles Award

The Bob Knowles Award is given each year to a company member for “outstanding artistic integrity and professional discipline” in that season’s production.  The award encourages and supports individuals committed to excellence in the performing arts.  A few of the outstanding company members who have received the award include:

  • David Miller
  • John Underwood
  • Robert Midgette
  • Jimmy Lee Brooks III
  • Christopher Kiley

We hope that you will consider a donation to the Bob Knowles Fund as you are making your giving decisions. 

About Bob Knowles

During his 43 years in the theater, he directed more than 200 different shows and held every office in the Southeastern Theatre Conference, including president.  Born in Fort Pierce, where he decided at age 15 to become an actor, Mr. Knowles began his career with the Army, touring with the Army show, “The Hellcat Review,” as its technical director from 1943 to 1946. He often escorted famous entertainers including Marlene Dietrich, Jack Benny and Zero Mostel.  After his Army service, he earned his bachelor of arts degree in drama at Stetson University and his master of arts degree in theater production at the University of Florida. While at Stetson, he appeared in 25 productions as an actor plus worked as technical director for many shows. He also appeared in summer stock productions.  For two summers he worked with the Monticello Summer Theatre at Kiamesha Lake in New York. In 1950-51, he was an instructor of communications at UF and was director of the Gainesville Little Theatre.  He moved to Auburn University in 1951 as an associate professor and acting chair of the drama department, where during the next 16 years he directed more than 60 productions.  He was named director of the Little Theatre of Jacksonville in August 1967.   While in Jacksonville, Mr. Knowles spent 12 summers as production coordinator of The Lost Colony. In 1980, he become the full-time general manager and producer of The Lost Colony where he remained until he retired in 1993.  Mr. Knowles passed away in 2010.