Broadway Training Center Gala to Honor Longtime Supporters and Village of Hastings
Celebrating the School’s 30th Anniversary, May 23 Fundraiser Will Feature Performances by Alumni and Students, Private Access to Award-Winning Harvest on Hudson Restaurant, Spectacular River Views, and Unique Auction Items
HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, NY, May 10, 2022 – The past two years haven’t been easy for performing arts schools and organizations like Broadway Training Center of Westchester. But now that the pandemic has gotten under control and audiences are returning to shows and other large in-person events, BTC Artistic Directors Jason Brantman and Fiona Santos have aptly titled their May 23 Gala “Together at Last.”
The event, to be held at the award-winning Harvest on Hudson restaurant in Hastings-on-Hudson, will celebrate not only the school’s 30th anniversary, but also “the courage, perseverance, and ingenuity that brought the BTC community through a year like no other,” explained Santos. Amid the festivities – which will include cabaret-style performances by the school’s alumni and current students, exclusive private access to the restaurant and its gardens, spectacular Hudson River views at sunset, and unique auction and raffle prizes – it will honor two parties who have been instrumental In BTC’s success.
The first honorees will be Susan and Steve Schoenfeld, longtime members of the school’s Board of Directors and Co-Treasurers, who have played a crucial role in supporting BTC for decades. The Schoenfelds first joined the BTC community more than 20 years ago, when their child Roxy was 11 years old and they were living in Scarsdale (Edgemont). A few years later, they helped bring Brantman and Santos on as Co-Artistic Directors. Over the years, they have given generously of their time and resources, and during the pandemic, they helped BTC secure more than $140,000 in government grants and credits.
“BTC simply would not be what it is today without Susan and Steve’s extraordinary dedication as our partners, our advocates, and our friends,” said Brantman.
The second honoree will be the Village of Hastings. “The Village’s elected officials and staff have always been great partners with the local business community,” said Santos. “But during the last 26 months, as businesses all over the region struggled to cope with the impacts of the pandemic, the Village’s level of commitment and support has been truly remarkable.”
As examples, Santos cited when the Village’s Downtown Advocate sent special communications to make sure Hastings businesses were aware of every new grant and loan opportunity. Community events were organized to keep residents engaged and connected to local businesses. Health guidelines and rules were clearly communicated and backed by consultations with local health officials and physicians. “For us, we were so grateful for the Village’s timely communications of opportunities for funding for PPE, which allowed us to welcome students back to our space in person.”
A Full Evening of Fun
After the performances, dinner and dessert, the fundraiser will feature a live auction, raffle prizes, and a silent auction that will be online and available even without a ticket purchase. Items will include tickets to Broadway shows, dance performances, and concerts, as well as one-of-a-kind experiences such as wine tasting with Jeff Wooddy of Rochambeau Wines & Liquors in Dobbs Ferry, a cooking class/demonstration followed by a gourmet dinner party in your home, and an evening of kayaking on the Hudson at sunset.
With a faculty comprised of working professionals who have performed on Broadway and other top venues, BTC is well known for its high-quality productions and high-impact youth education work. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides year-long training programs in acting, voice, dance, and performance ensembles for grades K-12 and adults. BTC and its students have won over 90 National Youth Arts Awards, including Outstanding Ensemble for 14 consecutive years. Westchester Magazine has lauded BTC theater classes as “the best in Southern Westchester.” Westchester Family has named it “Best Children’s Theater Company,” and BroadwayWorld dubbed BTC “the Best Dance Studio of the Decade” in Westchester and Rockland counties.
For more information on the gala, please contact BTC Managing Director Heather LoSchiavo at 914-478-7065 or Development@BroadwayTraining.com.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Broadway Training Center of Westchester’s 30th Anniversary Gala
WHERE:
Harvest on Hudson
1 River St. Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
WHEN:
Monday, May 23, 2022 at 6:30 pm
TICKETS:
$190 adults, $60 students (K-12)
Additional sponsorship packages available https://one.bidpal.net/btcgala2022/welcome
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
Please visit https://one.bidpal.net/btcgala2022/custom/custom6 for the latest information.
ABOUT BROADWAY TRAINING CENTER:
Based in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, Broadway Training Center of Westchester is a premier performing arts school that provides year-long training programs in acting, voice, dance, and performance ensembles for grades K-12 and adults. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, BTC is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more
“Best Theatre Classes in Southern Westchester” – Westchester Magazine
information about its Youth, Teen, and Adult Enrichment programs, please visit www.BroadwayTraining.com or call 914-478-7065.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather LoSchiavo
Managing Director
914-478-7065 Development@BroadwayTraining.com
About Broadway Training Center
Broadway Training Center of Westchester is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to inspire, nurture, challenge, amaze, educate and empower artists and audiences.
At BTC, we see theatre as a vehicle for personal development. We strive to offer the most professional training in the most nurturing environment to bring out the best qualities of an individual: honesty, responsibility, commitment, collaboration, imagination, and generosity.
Our goal is to create a place where each student can enter without fear, and be welcomed with love from everyone within. As teaching artists, we strive to help raise a generation who understands that we all have responsibility to each other, and that we can only succeed together.
Broadway Training Center of Westchester was recently awarded Best Theatre Classes in Southern Westchester by Westchester Magazine. This premier performing arts school provides year-long training programs in Acting, Voice, Dance, and Performance Ensembles for grades K-12 and adults. No experience is necessary at any age; just a desire to learn, work hard, and have fun in the process. Our faculty is comprised of established industry professionals who focus on the joy of accomplishment and the enrichment of personal expression through classroom and performance work.