East West Players’ 45th Anniversary Awards Dinner Honors Bank of America and Michael Hagiwara

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, celebrates its 45th Anniversary with its glamorous Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction, and salutes those who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their artistic excellence and support of the Asian Pacific American performing arts. The acclaimed fundraising event will take place at the Hilton Universal City on Monday, May 2, 2011. Proceeds from the gala will benefit East West Players' educational and artistic programs.

"EWP and the APA performing arts community have established a larger presence on the national landscape," says EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "APA artists are working more than ever and we want to recognize these individuals and companies who acknowledge the value of art and what it means to our community as a source of imagination, creativity, education, civic pride, celebration, social consciousness, and entertainment."
Award-winning composer Nathan Wang (Beijing Olympics/Shaolin Monks, Steven Spielberg's Oscar Award-winning film The Last Days) will lead the orchestra for the ninth year as the evening's Musical Director.

2011 CORPORATE VISIONARY AWARD HONOREE will include:
Bank of America is committed to creating meaningful change in the communities they serve through philanthropic efforts, associate volunteerism, community development activities and investing, support of arts and culture programming and environmental initiatives. Working in partnership with community leaders, Bank of America's local market leadership directs the majority of giving through local grants that address pressing social, economic, and cultural needs of communities across our global footprint. Through their signature philanthropic program, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative®, Bank of America enhances nonprofits' ability to serve more individuals and families in need and develop nonprofit visionaries, local heroes, and students as the community leaders of today and tomorrow.

2011 FOUNDERS AWARD HONOREE will include:
Michael Hagiwara's introduction to EWP came in 1985 when he attended the summer Actors Conservatory. He has since been involved as an actor, director, or choreographer in more than 25 EWP main stage productions and fundraising events. Through his 26 years at EWP, he has had the opportunity to work with all three Artistic Directors and several hundred actors. Hagiwara has also toured and performed in shows and films nationally and internationally. His strong belief in community has led him to work with several local groups and organizations such as JANM, JACCC, Nisei Week Foundation, Grateful Crane Ensemble, Cold Tofu, Go for Broke Foundation, SFXJCC, and St. Mary's Episcopal Church. The Founders Award, formerly the Rae Creevey Award, recognizes individuals for their dedication and years of volunteer service to East West Players.

Additional honorees will be announced.
Current major sponsors include: PLATINUM CIRCLE: CBS Corporation, Comcast NBC Universal, Mattel, Inc., The Walt Disney Company; GOLD CIRCLE: The Thomas R. Bancroft Family, Wells Fargo; SILVER CIRCLE: The Boeing Company, Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown, Edwin Kwoh and Lynn & Brian Arthurs, David L. Mauss, Sony Pictures Entertainment; BRONZE CIRCLE: The California Community Foundation, Tim Dang and Darrel Cummings, Toshiko Fujishige, Friends of Teri T. Pham.

East West Players' 45th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on Monday, May 2, 2011 at the Hilton Universal City, 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608. The no-host reception and silent auction will start at 6pm. The dinner and awards program will start at 7pm. Tickets are $175 - $1,250. Full table sponsorship packages are also available. For more information on East West Players' 45th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner and Silent Auction, please visit www.EastWestPlayers.org or contact Development Manager Lisa Tang at (213) 625-7000 x17 or LTang@EastWestPlayers.org.

As the event draws closer, special celebrity appearances, additional honorees, and performers will be announced.

 

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