George Street Playhouse held its Annual Gala Benefit & Silent Auction on Sunday, April 2, 2017. David Saint received the Arthur Laurents Award for Distinguished Artistic Achievement in celebration of his 20th season as the Playhouse’s Artistic Director. It was presented by legendary screenwriter, film director and actress Elaine May.
The Thomas H. Kean Arts Advocacy Award was bestowed upon Marlene and Tony Volpe, longtime supporters of George Street Playhouse, by the namesake of the award, Governor Kean.
Kenneth M. Fisher, Jr. of Hillsborough served as Benefit Chair. GSP Board Chair James Heston of Metuchen, and GSP Board President Penelope Lattimer of New Brunswick, served as Sponsorship Co-Chairpersons. Janice Haggerty of Bedminster, and Gabrielle Vajtay of Somerset served as Silent Auction Co-Chairpersons. W. Burton “Tripp” Salisbury of North Brunswick, and Janice Stolar of East Brunswick were Tickets & Tables Co-Chairpersons. Lora Tremayne of Somerset served as Journal Chairperson.
Rounding out the Annual Gala Benefit Committee were Joseph P. Benincasa, president & CEO of The Actors Fund and the 2016 Kean Award recipient; Joan Campbell of North Brunswick; Carol Hila of Woodbridge; Sharon Karmazin, president of The Karma Foundation; Jocelyn Schwartzman of East Brunswick; and Frances C. Stromsland, Ed.D., of Watchung.
Sponsors for the evening included The Family of Robert Wood Johnson, Jr., Marlene and Tony Volpe, Joan and Robert Campbell, James N. Heston, Sharon Karmazin, WithumSmith+Brown, PSE&G, TD Bank, Nassau Communications.
David Saint, celebrating his 20th season as George Street Playhouse Artistic Director, accepts the Arthur Laurents Award for Distinguished Artistic Achievement at GSP's Annual Gala Benefit at The Heldrich Hotel, April 2, 2017. (Photo by David Kelly Crow)
(L to R) Tony and Marlene Volpe receive the Thomas H. Kean Arts Advocacy Award from its namesake, former New Jersey Gov. Thomas H. Kean during the Annual GSP Gala Benefit at The Heldrich Hotel, April 2, 2017. (Photo by David Kelly Crow)
A landmark partnership spearheaded by the City of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), and several additional agencies and organizations, has funded construction of a performing arts complex on the site of our current theatre that will break ground in the Fall of 2017 and be completed in time for the grand opening of George Street Playhouse’s 2019-2020 Season.
Build out of theatre begins and signage is being installed at GSP's interim home at 103 College Farm Road in New Brunswick. Subscriptions and Flex Passes are on sale now for the upcoming 5-play season, which opens in October. Individual tickets go on sale in August.