A major accolade has been given to Henryetta actress and now director Liz Bealko.
Just before Christmas she was awarded the Best Director title for the New York Theatre Festival.
Bealko won the honor for directing “The Art of Peaking Too Soon,” for a three day run in New York City. She beat out 87 other directors for that honor.
“I am still in shock. I became a director by taking a chance/opportunity I didn't know I would be one at a young age. I trained my whole life to be a performer,” Bealko said Tuesday after learning of the selection. The awards were announced Sunday but she just received her award here in Henryetta while preparing for the family Christmas celebration.
“Professionally this is huge,” she said excitedly after learning of the new title. “Being nominated is one thing, but winning is a whole 'nother ballgame.”
The daughter of Andy and Pam Bealko, following her graduation from Henryetta high school, she studied at Oklahoma State University then moved to New York to further her stage career.
She returned to Henryetta to direct four high school productions and was the director for a one-act play in New York. The November musical play was one of the 88 participating in the midwinter festival.
“I trained my whole life to be a performer. I still have imposter syndrome directing from time to time, but this validates that I am on the right path, and on the journey I should be on.”

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Bealko nominated for Best Director

Liz Bealko directing New York production