The Media People, the longest-running independent film and broadcast video production company in the Lehigh Valley, was recently awarded the Platinum Award and Gold Award in the 2023 Hermes Creative Awards Festival.

The awards were for the Muhlenberg College Theatre & Dance Department production of “40 Years Of Excellence.”

The documentary project was made during 30 years of the Muhlenberg College Summer Music Theatre productions. The interviews and editing required one year to complete.

The film chronicles the start of the Summer Music Theatre with the arrival of Charles Richter and Curtis Dretsch, who started the theater program at Muhlenberg College in 1978. They retired in 2022 after 42 years. The Summer Music Theatre program concluded with their retirement.

The Platinum Award was presented in the “Public Relations” category. The Gold Award was presented in the “Documentary” category.

Scott Stoneback was the Producer and Director of the production. Gregory Roth of Emmaus was the videographer and non-linear editor.

The William B. Butz Memorial Fund, Inc. and The Media People, Inc. underwrote production costs.

Roth has worked for The Media People since 2012. He is an Adjunct Instructor at Muhlenberg College and assists with the Theatre Department’s On-Camera Acting Class.

The Media People is celebrating its 48th year with more than 2,000 successful productions and has received more than 70 national and international awards.

There were more than 6,500 entries in this year’s competition. The Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals administered and judged the event, which was held in Dallas, Tex.

Information: http://www.themediapeople.com/