Katori Hall & Woodie King, Jr. Honored at All Stars Project's National Gala Benefit Tonight, 5/7

The All Stars Project (ASP) holds its national gala benefit entitled, Big Builders for Young People, tonight, May 7, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 63rd Street; cocktails at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and program at 7:00 p.m. Celebrating over 30 years of success of afterschool programs for inner city youth, the All Stars Project will raise $2 million and shine a light on philanthropists who support All Stars’ programs.

The All Stars Project Groundbreakers Awards will be presented to Katori Hall, Broadway playwright, for her work in helping to open doors for new voices in the American theatre and Woodie King, Jr., Founder and Producing Director, New Federal Theatre for his pioneering efforts and outstanding accomplishments in Black theatre. Katori Hall’s play Children of Killers will make its American premiere at the Castillo Theatre in September 2012. Groundbreaker Awardees also include David C. Banks, President and CEO, Eagle Academy Foundation, Valerie and William Bell, Founders, Sean Elijah Bell Community Center and Anderson J. Franklin, Ph.D. Honorable David S. Nelson Professor of Psychology and Education, Boston College.

Renowned dancer, Desmond Richardson, co-founder and artistic director of Complexions Dance Company, has choreographed a special dance piece featuring 11 inner-city youth performers from the All Stars Project.

The event will also present the newly formed partnership between the NYPD and the All Stars Project’s program, Operation Conversation: Cops and Kids, a community relations initiative that brings together New York City police officers and youth from the community.

The event will highlight the upcoming opening of the All Stars’ new facility in Newark, New Jersey, The Scott Flamm Center for Afterschool Development - a thriving hub of cultural activities giving young people from the poorest communities opportunities to work with the best professionals in theatre, business and education.

The Gala will be hosted by Roscoe Orman, “Gordon” on Sesame Street. The evening will feature hip-hop, rap and dance performances by youth of the All Stars.

The All Stars Project’s National Gala Benefit 500 business leaders and youth will perform and host the festivities. The benefit will be held Monday, May 7, 2012 at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, Broadway at 63rd Street. Cocktails 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 212-356-8449.

Photo courtesy KatoriHall.com.