Patricia Ryan-Madson to Receive Stockley Superhero Award

San Francisco (August 9, 2004) - Patricia Ryan-Madson, former member of the BATS board of directors and long-time supporter of improvisational theatre in the Bay Area, is the 2004 recipient of the Rebecca Stockley Superhero Award.

The award will be presented to Ryan-Madson this Friday, Aug. 13, during the intermission of the All-Star Micetro show. A reception will be held in the theater at the conclusion of the performance.

Ryan-Madson is a senior lecturer with the drama department at Stanford University, where she has taugh since 1977. She lives in El Granada, California with her husband Ronald Madson.

Over the past 15 years, Ryan-Madson supported BATS Improv in numerous ways. She served on the board of directors as board treasurer, helping create the BATS summer school program (now in its 10th year) and spearheading an organization effort that led to the creation of the artistic director and dean positions. She is a generous donor to the organization and during BATS' early years, she even made personal emergency loans to keep the fledgling company afloat.

Ryan-Madson has served as a guest coach for BATS workshops, volunteered as a judge for Theatresports matches, and has brought thousands of her Stanford students to attend BATS shows in San Francisco.

The Stockley award is presented annually to an individual who has provided extraordinary service to the organization. Nominations are submitted from the BATS community and reviewed by a selection committee. The award is named in honor or Rebecca Stockley, who served as dean of the BATS Improv School for 10 years.

# # #