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"It is inevitable, as we work for years with so many, that we will lose some of those we work with," says Aaron Thomann, who has directed and acted in 16 Steel Beam productions. "But it is always unexpected and always heartbreaking. I can honestly say that in the theatre world, John was that kindest man I ever worked with. A gentle heart and a creative man. My fondest memory will be working with him to act angry on stage, which was not an emotion that came naturally to him, and to be honest it didn't suit him well."
 John was a very charming actor, and a very important member of the Steel Beam "ensemble." In just two seasons, he appeared in Our Town, Jekyll and Hyde, Amadeus (above) and, perhaps most memorably, as the adult Ralph in A Christmas Story.
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| This holiday season, Steel Beam Theatre sponsors an essay contest to honor the memory of local actor, author and good friend, John Deaver.
John played the part of Ralph Parker, the narrator in Jean Shepherd’s holiday classic A Christmas Story, onstage at Steel Beam in 2005. Memorial contributions from all over the country poured in after his untimely death in 2006, from his writer friends, and people who had shared in the gift of his excellent performance as Ralph Parker.
Since Steel Beam once again presents A Christmas Story this season, the Board of Directors wishes to honor the memory of John Deaver by creating a writing contest in his name.
The Theatre has welcomed and received literary short stories or memoirs about the winter holidays. These works will be judged by a panel of judges whose decisions are final in all matters. Final judges are author and playwright Mary Hutchings Reed (Courting Kathleen Hannigan, Fairways The Musical) and former journalist Jeff Forsell, both of whom are members of the Steel Beam Theatre Board of Directors.
Winners will be notified on or about Nov. 15. Winners receive a cash honorarium, two complimentary tickets to A Christmas Story and the chance to read their story during a performance. Winning entries will be published in a booklet printed by Steel Beam Theatre, and winners will receive five copies of this booklet.
By entering, winners have consented to the publication of their submission in SBT's booklet, and represent that their work is original, has not been previously published, and does not infringe any third party rights. Winners retain copyright in their submissions. We will not be able to make changes to your stories prior to our publication.
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