The Emmy and Tony award-winning superstar Kristin Chenoweth brings her powerful voice and effervescence to the Women's Association of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's 16th annual Spotlight Gala, New Jersey's largest nonprofit fundraising event, today. From the full black-tie gala to a special after-party package as well as performance-only tickets starting at $35, fans of Chenoweth and supporters of NJPAC's world-class programming and life-changing arts education programs will be able to participate in the festivities in a variety of ways.
The annual Spotlight Gala, which takes place throughout the Arts Center and in a 300-square-foot outdoor tent, is the official curtain-raiser for NJPAC's 2011-2012 season. The black-tie Gala evening begins with cocktails at 5:30pm outside on Theater Square, followed by an awards ceremony and Kristin Chenoweth's performance, with dinner and dancing to follow in the gala tent, culminating in a fireworks finale. Ticket packages for the entire evening's festivities, including premium seating for ten people in Prudential Hall, are available at the following levels: Vice-Chair Table ($50,000), Platinum Table ($35,000), Gold Table ($25,000), and Silver Table ($15,000). Single tickets for the complete evening range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Another option for patrons who want to keep the celebrations going after Ms. Chenoweth's performance will be the Gala GLAM Party. For $150, patrons enjoy a first tier seat for the
7 p.m. performance and an oh-so-fabulous after-party at 8:30 p.m. featuring savory bites, desserts, open bar and dancing with DJ Hazardous in the East Wing of NJPAC.
Concert-only tickets for Ms. Chenoweth's performance and the Gala awards ceremony range from $35 to $75 each. Both performance-only and GLAM Party tickets are available at www.njpac.org or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC. For full evening Gala tickets, call Gail P. Stone at 973-353-7043 or e-mail womensassociation@njpac.org.
"I continue to be in awe of the Trustees and membership of the Women's Association for the creativity and sheer effort they give to putting together our signature Spotlight Gala," said Sheila F. Klehm, president of the Women's Association of NJPAC. "The main objectives of the Women's Association are to promote, advocate, and fund NJPAC-the Gala is our most impactful way of meeting this mission."
Since its inception, the Women's Association of NJPAC has raised over $34.5 million in support of general operations and Arts Education programs at NJPAC through its annual Spotlight Gala, annual Spring Luncheon and Auction and various other initiatives and events.
This year's Gala Co-Chairs are Veronica M. Goldberg of Far Hills, N.J. and Archie Gottesman of Summit, N.J. The Spotlight Gala Dinner Co-Chairs are Pat A. Di Filippo, Executive Vice President of Turner Construction Co. and Jeffrey S. Sherman, Esq., Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Becton, Dickinson & Co. The Women's Association of NJPAC will present awards to individual, corporate and community leaders during the evening's ceremonies. This year's honorees: Dr. A. Zachary Yamba and Trish Morris-Yamba will receive The Ryan Award for their "Commitment to NJPAC and Leadership in the City of Newark;" Robert C. and Mary Ellen Waggoner will receive The Chambers Award for their "Service to the Community and to the Arts;" JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Jes Staley, CEO, Investment Bank, J.P. Morgan will receive The Vagelos Award for their "Corporate Commitment to the Arts."
Tony and Emmy award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth has enjoyed phenomenal success on stage and screen. She won a Tony for her scene-stealing performance in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, gained worldwide acclaim for her Tony-nominated performance as Broadway's original Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked and won rave reviews and an Emmy for her role in the television series, Pushing Daisies. Most recently, she guest-starred as former glee clubber April Rhodes in the hit television show Glee for which she is nominated for a 2011 Emmy award. In September, she will release her fourth and first country CD, Some Lessons Learned, and will soon be starring in the new ABC television series, Good Christian Belles.
Dr. A. Zachary Yamba served as president of Essex County College for 30 years, from 1980 to 2010, making him the longest serving college president in state history. A relentless booster for education, his numerous affiliations include serving on the boards of the Victoria Foundation, Newark Downtown Core Redevelopment Corp. and the American Conference on Diversity. Ghanaian-born, Yamba is a Regent Emeritus at his alma mater, Seton Hall University, which has also inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame and awarded him an honorary degree.
Trish Morris-Yamba, Executive Director of Newark Day Center, has served as an advocate for children and youth throughout her whole career. At the Newark Day Center, she has helped create an environment that stabilizes families and Newarkers of all ages, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. She has received many honors, including the Woman of Influence Award, Outstanding Child Care Advocate, Professional Woman of the Year and "100 Most Influential" in New Jersey. She is former president and current trustee of the Newark Public Library, a member of the Thirteen/WNET New York/New Jersey Community Advisory Board and 1st Vice Chair for the National Congress of Black Women.
Robert C. Waggoner has served as Chairman and CEO of BurrellesLuce, LLC, headquartered in Livingston, for the last 25 years. He is a 31-year member of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra board, and served as board president for five years. He is also a founding donor of NJPAC, where he has served on the board for 15 years. Prior to joining the board, he served on the arts center's Architect and Acoustician search committee. He also supports many musical organizations in New York, including Musica Sacra, where he served several years on the board. He has endowed a professorship of Economics at Harvard, as well as a library in his Iowa hometown.
Mary Ellen Banda Waggoner was born in Newark, raised in Bloomfield and has spent 20 years in the arts. She grew up with instrumental music, performing in many of the state's community orchestras and bands during her childhood. She was one of the first students to graduate from Montclair State University's Arts Administration Program and has worked as a development executive for both the Paper Mill Playhouse and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
James E. "Jes" Staley is the Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan's Investment Bank. From 2001-2009, he was CEO of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and under his leadership, the division grew assets under management from $605 billion to $1.25 trillion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a leading global financial services firm with operations in more than 60 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. The company has been an advocate for NJPAC from the very beginning, having contributed to the building's construction and inaugural programming. They continue today to support NJPAC's arts education programs, Sounds of the City, Sonic Superstars and supported last year's Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival.
Established in 1994, the Women's Association of NJPAC (WA) is a self-supporting, volunteer organization comprised of diverse members from across New Jersey and the NY metro area who are actively engaged in regional and national business endeavors, politics, and cultural and philanthropic causes. As NJPAC ambassadors, the WA members seek to increase awareness and educate the public about NJPAC, and provide financial support to programs and educational activities through their Annual Spring Luncheon, Spotlight Gala in the Fall, and other events and membership activities.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the sixth largest performing arts center in the United States. As New Jersey's Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over 6 million visitors (more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit
www.njpac.org for more information.
Programming has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Discover Jersey Arts.
NJPAC is a wheelchair accessible facility and provides assistive services for patrons with disabilities. For more information, call 888-GO-NJPAC.
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