This evening the inaugural Celebration of Color on Broadway Awards will take place at SAKS Fifth Avenue (611 5th Avenue) beginning at 6PM. Honoring George C. Wolfe and Ruth and Stephen Hendel for their contributions to diversifying Broadway, the Celebration of Color on Broadway Awards will benefit Harlem's OPUS 118 , a private, non-profit organization that supports music education programs for public school students in low-income areas. In addition to the honors this event will celebrate the life of Barbara Ann Teer, founder of The National Black Theater.
George C. Wolfe is a celebrated Tony Award winning director and playwright and is currently nominated for his co-direction of The Normal Heart, now on Broadway. Ruth and Stephen Hendel produced the groundbreaking Broadway musical FELA!, winner of three Tony Awards, which begins its international tour, tonight in Amsterdam.
A Celebration of Color on Broadway was founded by Stephen Colman, David Watkins, and Jayson Jackson. Tonight's awards gala is sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka.
Stephen Colman is an award-winning writer, performer, and producer. He co-wrote and co-starred in the TONY Award-winning Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and co-conceived and assistant directed Sarah Jones's Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Bridge and Tunnel, which was originally produced by Meryl Streep.
David Watkins is one of New York's top special event and marketing professionals. He has produced events for private clients like Derek Jeter, Sean Combs, and Antonio LA Reid , cultural institutions like The Whitney Museum and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and worked with companies to build their brands - a short list includes Hugo Boss, BMW, PEPSI, Moet, Grey Goose Vodka, Scandinavian Airlines, Proctor and Gamble, and BET.
Jayson Jackson is a seasoned entertainment professional and has been involved with shaping the careers of icons like Lauren Hill, Janet Jackson and Diddy. He has also worked with ground breaking artists like Q-Tip, Mos Def, The Neptunes and Spankrock. He also produced the Sara Jones' TONY and Drama Desk award winning one woman show (alongside ex producer Meryl Streep) Bridge and Tunnel
OPUS 118- OPUS was started in 1991, when 150 kids in three East Harlem public elementary schools were about to lose their cherished violin program as a result of budget cuts. Working with parents, other teachers and volunteers, their violin teacher, Roberta Guaspari founded Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, a private, nonprofit organization, to save the program and to continue to serve public school students in low-income areas. Opus 118 Harlem School of Music expanded on the success of its internationally recognized In-School Music Program and established a comprehensive community music school currently located at 103 East 125th Street in Harlem. Through this community music school, Opus 118 can meet the needs of this fast-growing and under served community by offering opportunities for New York City public school students to obtain one-on-one and ensemble instruction after school, offering access to music education for children who may not have music programs in their schools at all, and offering instruction for adults who want to learn a musical instrument or advance their musical skills. In addition to Opus 118's traditional violin program, the expanded curriculum includes viola, cello, piano, guitar, chorus and early childhood music education.
Photo Credit: Monica Simoes
