Axial Theatre’s Annual Fundraiser 2018

Axial Theatre to Celebrate New Leaders
at its April 6 Benefit  

Westchester, N.Y., March 5, 2018 — Axial Theatre’s annual spring fundraiser will celebrate Axial’s new co-Artistic Directors, Cat Banks and Linda Giuliano, Friday, April 6, from 7-10 p.m. in ArtsWestchester’s Gallery. The duo will officially take over on September 1, 2018, the beginning of Axial’s 20^th production year.  They will join Betsy Klampert, Managing Director and General Counsel, as Axial’s leadership team.

Howard Meyer, Axial’s founding Artistic Director, will be stepping down after 20 years of service but will remain on Axial’s Board of Directors and will also continue to be in charge of the educational division, Howard Meyer’s Acting Program.  Meyer says of the change, “After 20 years of guiding the organization, it is time to pass the baton to the capable and gifted hands of Cat and Linda. As we enter this milestone season, it is time for fresh ideas and new leadership.”

Ms. Banks is an actor and director who has been involved in the theater for most of her life.  She pursued her theater studies at UNC Chapel Hill where she received a BA in Theater and a BA in Film Criticism.  After graduating college, she lived and worked in Chicago, studying the Stanislavski method of acting and then moving into intensive Meisner work. She then moved to New York City where she founded Bombshell Productions and produced two main stage shows, Hamlet and Escape from Happiness, in the heart of New York City.  She is a member of Axial’s Ensemble and teaches in the Howard Meyer’s Acting Program.

Ms. Giuliano, a member of Axial’s Ensemble, is a playwright who has been affiliated with Axial since 2003.  She has been Axial’s Associate Artistic Director since 2016 and its Literary Manager since 2012, leading the bi-weekly Writer’s Group, encouraging playwrights and selecting their plays for production whenever possible.  In addition, she continues to be a member of the WritersGroup, a NYC organization that she helped found in 1995.  A number of her plays have been produced by Axial and other theater organizations.  She is a clinical social worker by training and currently serves as a clinical director of a NYC-based organization.

Axial is a professional theater company and acting conservatory that operates out of Pleasantville (N.Y.). In addition to celebrating Axial’s new leadership, the annual benefit will present cabaret entertainment with singers accompanied by concert pianist Dan Forman; serve gourmet bites and libations from Jean-Jacques Culinary Creations in Pleasantville; and stage a live auction featuring a luxury getaway in the Italian Riviera and a South African safari. Axial Ensemble member Patrick McGuinness will serve as auctioneer. A silent auction also will be held.

General admission tickets for the benefit are $60, including all food, wine and other beverages. ArtsWestchester is located at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.

For more information, visit Brown Paper Tickets,  Axial’s Facebook page or its Website; or contact Axial at AxialTheatre@gmail.com; (914) 286-7680.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Evelyn Mertens                                         Bruce Apar

914.762.6429                                             914.275.6887 (cell)

914.263.9129 (cell)                                    bapar@me.com

emertens@westnet.com