James Thornton, chair of Shaker Heights High School's Theatre Arts Department, was named one of three recipients of an Arts Educator Award from Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland.

The award, which will be presented at the Ohio Theatre on May 11, recognizes Thornton's dedication to building a distinctive curriculum that encompasses all aspects of theater performance and management. Thornton is retiring at the end of this school year as chair of the department, but will return next year as artistic director.

Young Audiences is one of the oldest and largest arts-in-education organizations in the country. Jean Reinhold, enrichment resource teacher at Fernway, received the award in 2002.

This year's other recipients are Mary Beth Matthews, art teacher at Max S. Hayes Vocational High School and Howard Meeker, Professor and Director of Instrumental Music at Cleveland State University.

For more information, go to the Young Audiences web site.