Jacob Burns Film Center's Annual Gala Honors Award Winning Producer Dori Berinstein

Broadway's presence and reach extends beyond the Big Apple, including just outside New York City with the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC)- one of the most successful suburban film houses in the country- and their programs that promote the theatre to new audiences.

At this year's annual JBFC Gala last week, JBFC celebrated and honored two imagination builders of Broadway, including legendary Broadway Producer Dori Berinstein with the Vision Award and JBFC Board Member Robert Goldberg with the first ever David Swope Leadership Award (bios below). A long-time supporter of JBFC, Dori is the curator and moderator of JBFC's ongoing series Life on the Stage (in partnership with the Actors Fund) and now JBFC's newest board member.

Joining Dori for the celebration included several cast members from her brand new upcoming musical The Prom, which tells the story of a lesbian high school student from a small town in Indiana, who is not allowed to bring her girlfriend to the senior prom. Those cast members included Actress Beth Leavel, Actor Christopher Sieber, Actress Isabelle McCalla and other special guests.

And although honorary Co-Chairs of the Gala, including Stage and Screen Actor Alan Cumming, Director and JBFC Board Member Ron Howard and Legendary Performer Bette Midler, were unable to attend, they shared their congratulations via video. Mr. Cumming said, "She's (Dori) gone on to do many other things on screen and on stage, but she always manages to infuse everything she does with her passion, compassion, empathy, and activism for many causes." On her reflection of Bob Goldberg, Ms. Midler said, "Without Bob Goldberg, there would be no Jacob Burns Film Center." Mr. Howard added, "I truly love the JBFC... having a community, a place to go, experience, celebrate and talk about movies and all they offer to us."

All proceeds from the gala fuels JBFC's mission to present unique programs such as Life on the Stage, teach students new ways to tell their stories, prepare educators to integrate viewing and creating media in their classroom culture, and empower emerging artists.