Freddie Gershon And Sharon Dunn To Be Honored At School Theatre Benefit In NYC

Key leaders in education and the theatrical industry will be honored by the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) with the Broadway Back to School Award. The inaugural recipients are Freddie Gershon, Co-Chairman of Music Theatre International (MTI), and Dr. Sharon Dunn, formerly Senior Manager for Arts Education for the New York City Department of Education, for their work in initiating the Broadway Junior program, which was a breakthrough in the history of school theatre.

Further, the Broadway Junior program, founded by The Shubert Foundation, iTheatrics, and MTI in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education, inspired ETF's JumpStart Theatre program which is now spreading across the country building musical theatre programs in middle schools in Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Diego, and Atlanta, with plans for continued growth.

Many at-risk students, who stand to benefit the most from theatre education, have little to no access. The work of Freddie Gershon and Dr. Sharon Dunn has made musical theatre more accessible to thousands of children, serving the very important purpose of growing access, equity and inclusion. As the inaugural honorees, these worthy recipients set the highest standard and ensure the award's continued impact.

The awards will be presented at a benefit cabaret of the same name, Broadway Back to School, on Sunday, September 23, 2018, at 7 p.m., at Feinstein's 54/Below. Now in its fourth year, Broadway Back to School supports theatre education programs for schools in need by bringing together professional artists along with current high school students. The event features performances and interviews, dreams and reminiscences, to give back and raise funds for underserved schools.

The host committee for Broadway Back to School is headed by Hunter Bell, Tony-nominated playwright, and Vice President of the ETF National Board of Trustees.

ETF will also be hosting a West Coast benefit event, Thespians Go Hollywood, on November 11, 2018 in Los Angeles.

The Educational Theatre Foundation was launched November, 2017, as the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association, which is the home of the International Thespian Society. In its first year ETF has awarded more than $650,000 in grants, directly impacting high school theatre programs in 50 cities, and enabling the development of musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools in six states.

About the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF)

ETF provides essential financial support to enhance excellence in theatre education and to expand access to school theatre programs for every child, putting them on a more positive life path. ETF is focused on three areas: JumpStart Theatre-to create sustainable musical theatre programs where there previously were none; need-based grants to schools-to provide teaching and performance resources and equipment in under-resourced schools; and, merit and need-based grants to individuals-to nurture the next generation of theatre teachers and artists.