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Photo Coverage: Our Time's Express Yourself Benefit

Our Time Theatre Company, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an artistic home for young people who stutter, held its Fifth Annual Our Time Benefit Gala entitled, "Express Yourself," continuing its tradition of honoring a person who has been an inspiration to those that stutter. The event took place on April 23rd at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. This year's Our Time Award was presented to Peggy Lipton, the star of TV's "Mod Squad" and "Twin Peaks."

This year's star-studded evening was co-hosted by "Law & Order" stsars Mariska Hargitay and Jesse L. Martin. Celebrities performed original work written by and with the young people of the Our Time Theatre Company. Performing in the gala was, among others, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Lewis Black, Sherie Rene Scott, Grant Shaud, Adriane Lenox, Mary Testa, the cast of Spring Awakening, Kelli O'Hara, John Oliver, and the young people of Our Time. The event featured musical direction by Everett Bradley.

Our Time Theatre Company provides an environment free from ridicule where young people who stutter discover the joy of creating and performing original theatre. Based in New York City, Our Time consists of pre-teens and teenagers who study acting, singing, playwriting, drumming, and dance with professional artists. Exercising these skills, they create original plays that are performed in New York City and around the world. Our Time serves its members free of charge and there are no prerequisites to join. Now in its fifth year, the Our Time Award is presented to one exceptional individual who has improved the quality of life and been an inspiration to people who stutter," state press notes.

Visit www.ourtimetheatre.org for more information.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Backstage

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay

Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay

Jesse L. Martin

Jesse L. Martin and Daphne Rubin-Vega

Jesse L. Martin and Cynthia Nixon

Jonathan Groff and Brian Char Les Johnson

Peggy Lipton

The Performance

The Our Time Pre-Teens

"Atmosphere"

Jesse L. Martin

Mariska Hargitay and Jesse L. Martin

Daphne Rubin-Vega

Kelli O'Hara

Cynthia Nixon

John Oliver, Lewis Black and Cynthia Nixon

Mary Testa

Adriane Lenox

Sherie Rene Scott

Sherie Rene Scott and Isaiah Fletcher

Taro Alexander

Peggy Lipton and Taro Alexander

Peggy Lipton

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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