DGA Monthly

Robert B. Aldrich Service Award 77 th J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 I 1 5 "For more than 30 years, Mary Rae has led with both kindness and strength, bringing her experience, talent, and passion to Guild service – all while maintaining a successful and demanding career," said DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter. "As former National Vice President, she brought her trademark good humor backed by steely resolve to tackle diffi cult issues – our secret weapon to ensuring the best outcome for DGA members. Her legacy of leadership on the National Board and the Eastern AD/UPM Council has left an indelible mark on our Guild, exemplifying the service and dedication on which our Guild was founded, making her a most deserving recipient of the Robert B. Aldrich Award." A DGA member since 1993, Thewlis' service to the Guild began in earnest when she was elected as an alternate for the fi rst of her 13 terms on the Eastern AD/UPM Council. She served six consecutive terms in various elected positions including Chair, 1st Vice Chair to Secretary/Treasurer. Her service on the DGA National Board began when she fi rst elected in 2005 as an Associate, going on serve as a Board member before being elected as serving the Guild's Fourth Vice President in 2017, ultimately being tapped for the post of National Vice President of the Guild in 2019. Thewlis' other Guild service includes being a Trustee of the DGA Pension and Health Plan (appointed in 2007), the DGA Training Plan (appointed in 2004) and the Directors Guild Foundation (appointed in 2014). Her various committee appointments through the years include: the Diversity Task Force, the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee, the 75th Anniversary Committee and the East Coast/West Coast Residency Committee. Thewlis also served on the DGA Negotiations Committee for the 2001, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 negotiations cycles, and as a delegate to the DGA Biennial Conventions and, most recently as a Co-Chair of the DGA Honors Committee. Thewlis began her entertainment career as a Trainee in the DGA Assistant Director Training Program where she worked on features including Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence and Andrew Bergman's Honeymoon in Vegas. Her more recent credits include serving as a UPM and Producer for the hit FX series The Americans and prior to that, for more than thirteen years on Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Thewlis has also worked as a UPM, Assistant Director or Producer on such feature fi lms as Jon Avnet's Up Close & Personal, Jeff Pollack's Above the Rim; and television series such as 666 Park Avenue and the mini-series Lisey's Story. For her service to the Guild and her professional accomplishments, Thewlis was the recipient of the DGA's Frank Capra Achievement Award in 2016 Asked her thoughts on being the latest Aldrich Award recipient Thewlis said, "When it was announced during the October Board of Directors meeting that I had been chosen to receive the Robert B. Aldrich Award, I wasn't just surprised, I was fl ummoxed. I was so fl attered and am so honored. I had no idea I was even eligible, and when I read the names of previous recipients, I'm humbled. What an amazing group to be a member of. I guess service, to me, means going all in, investing of myself in any way I can. It's trite to say that I get more than I give, but that is in fact true. It hasn't been a sacrifi ce. I've always felt that I won something." Past Recipients of the Robert B. Aldrich Award 2021 Betty Thomas 2017 Thomas Schlamme 2014 Steven Soderbergh 2013 Michael Apted 2009 William M. Brady 2007 Paris Barclay Taylor Hackford 2004 Jeremy Kagan 2003 Jud Taylor 2002 Edwin Sherin 2001 Robert Butler Tom Donovan 1999 Arthur Hiller 1998 Martha Coolidge 1997 Delbert Mann 1996 Daniel Petrie 1995 Max A. Schindler 1994 Burt Bluestein 1993 Gene Reynolds John Rich 1992 Jack Shea 1991 Larry Auerbach Milt Felsen 1990 George L. Schaefer 1989 Gilbert Cates 1988 Sheldon Leonard 1986 George Sidney 1985 Elliot Silverstein 1984 Robert E. Wise photo by Marcie Revens Mary Rae Thewlis The Aldrich Award was established in 1984 to recognize extraordinary service to the Directors Guild of America and to its membership. The recipients of this honor are a prestigious list of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to the Guild. At the 77th Annual DGA Awards on February 8, 2025, Unit Production Manager/former DGA National Vice President Mary Rae Thewlis becomes the thirtieth member honored with this accolade.

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