The video above was played at the annual PUSH Gala for Craig Hospital with the announcement of Phamaly Theatre Company Executive and Artistic Director Regan Linton as the 2017 Dave and Gail Liniger Spirit of Craig Award winner. Video provided by Craig Hospital.

By John Moore
Senior Arts Journalist

Phamaly Theatre Company Executive and Artistic Director Regan Linton was honored at Craig Hospital’s annual PUSH Gala as the winner of the 2017 Dave and Gail Liniger Spirit of Craig Award on April 29.

Craig is a world-renowned, non-profit rehabilitation hospital that specializes in treating patients with spinal cord injury  and traumatic brain injury. The award recognizes a Craig graduate who, through community service, professional achievement, and personal support of Craig’s patients, graduates, and mission, significantly brings to life the spirit of Craig to others in the community.

Linton is an actor, educator, and prominent voice for disability inclusion in the national theatre community. The Denver East graduate was paralyzed in a 2002 car accident and went on to the University of California at San Diego, where she become the first paralyzed student ever accepted into any of the nation’s top masters acting conservatory programs.

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Video: Regan Linton accepts the Craig Hospital Award:

After performing around the country for prominent companies including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Linton returned to Denver in August to lead Phamaly out of an imminent financial crisis. She will co-direct Annie with a cast made up exclusively of actors with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities, opening July 13 at the Denver Center’s Stage Theatre.

The PUSH dinner raised more than $1.8 million to support Craig’s programs and research.

The other major award of the night was the Inspiration Award, which went to Craig graduate Kelli Johnson in recognition of her work to encourage skier and rider safety in memory of her daughter, Elise.

Johnson (pictured at right with her family) sustained a traumatic brain injury in a ski accident when she and her daughter were struck by a snowboarder. Elise died in the accident. Johnson and her husband, Chauncy, are working with the National Ski Areas Association on a campaign to encourage safety in memory of their daughter. (See video below.)

The emcee of the PUSH gala was Kyle Clark of KUSA Channel 9.

Selected previous NewsCenter coverage of Regan Linton:
Phamaly launches emergency $100,000 fundraising campaign
Regan Linton returns to lead Phamaly in landmark appointment
Regan Linton works her magic in San Diego
Video: Reagan Linton wins Colorado Rockies Inspiration Award
Phamaly’s historic goodwill tour to Japan
The Regan Linton story: Performing for those who cannot

Video: Kelli Johnson Inspiration Award:


The video above was played at the annual Push Gala for Craig Hospital with the announcement of Kelli Johnson as the winner of the annual Inspiration Award. Video provided by Craig Hospital.

Photos from the 2017 PUSH gala:

To see more photos, click the forward arrow on the image above.