Orem's Jody Renstrom is about to be honored with an award that she helped initiate -- the "Women Making a Difference" recognition given annually by the Women's Division of the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce to a woman who has made significant contributions to the community.

The presentation will be made Friday at the Aura of Autumn luncheon and fashion show at the Sorensen Student Center on the Utah Valley State College campus.

"I'm just so surprised," said Renstrom. "I think it's really sweet, and I'm very honored."

Renstrom is the founder and owner of Valley Center Playhouse -- now located in Lindon. The business has been a fixture in the Utah Valley arts community for 32 years. She is also a producer, director, actress, teacher, playwright, composer, wife, mother of seven, and grandmother of 16.

"She has done more in her lifetime," exclaimed daughter Julie Day, of Alpine. "I think it would take three or four people to do as much. And she uses her talents in a way to bless other people's lives ... One thing I have loved, my mom wanted to have good entertainment the whole family could come to and enjoy. It's one of her passions."

"Jody's wonderful. We are excited to have her be the person honored this year," said Donalda De Adder, president of the Women's Division and a long-time friend who has herself participated in the Renstroms' plays. "I've gotten to know and appreciate her throughout the years. She is a hard worker, and when she makes a commitment, she always follows through. I have known her on both a professional and a personal level."

The award originated some years ago, when Ruby Nicol, then-president of the Women's Division, asked Renstrom if she would be a member of her board and direct the fashion show. Renstrom agreed, and proposed the name for the award, which was promptly accepted by the division leadership.

"Jody is ageless, timeless, with a bubbly spirit, and enthusiasm -- especially for fashion. She loves tasteful fashion," said Leslie Stott, a friend. "... She has made a difference in the Chamber and in the community -- giving people who wouldn't have had the opportunity to do community theater, and to use their talent."

Jody and her husband, Keith, moved to Orem in 1969. Jody began investigating what opportunities there were in local theater, and discovered few options.

"I was told that if you were really good, you could get into BYU's productions -- occasionally," Renstrom said. "That sounded too competitive. I wanted to do family theater like there was in California, where opportunities were plentiful and there were a lot of theater groups. One day, I said to Keith, 'There really should be a family theater here, but who would do itfi' A few days later, I said, 'Why don't we do itfi' And he agreed."

The Renstroms found 192 chairs at a thrift store and began looking for a building in Orem, but were unsuccessful. Finally, the store was unable to keep the chairs on hold any longer, and, needing a place to put the seating, Jody drove up and down the streets of Provo until she found the vacant building at 60 North 300 West that would become the theater's first home.

The manager happened to be walking across the parking lot just as Renstrom drove up, and after agreeing to terms, Renstrom signed a five-year lease on the spot. In about seven weeks, the theater was ready to open, although some backtracking had to be done with Provo City in getting architectural plan approval.

Renstrom said she has "stayed out of a lot of the plays," working behind the scenes, instead. But she feels she was given "a gift" in writing "Portrait of Emma," a play about Emma Hale Smith, the wife of LDS Church founder and prophet Joseph Smith.

"There were volumes (written) on the men, and paragraphs on the women," said Renstrom of her research. "I had to look deep to find anything on Emma. When it came, I couldn't write fast enough." Writing quickly to meet a deadline, she decided she could revise later, but has "never changed a thing," including the set.

Renstrom has performed the one-woman show all over the United States, including in Nauvoo for a Joseph Smith, Sr. Family reunion.

"I performed for all those Smith descendants, and they were very gracious. They gave me a standing ovation," said Renstrom. "They told me they were delighted to see Emma come alive right before their eyes on stage."

The playwright has had similar success with another one-woman show, "Mary, the Chosen," about the mother of Jesus Christ. She has written and produced 14 plays and musicals. "The Littlest Warrior," her latest production, was co-written with her son, Mike, for a grandson, Alex Day, age 11, who played the lead.

"(Jody) sells the candy, and she writes the script," said De Adder. "And she's willing to help in the community."