Photo Flash: Andrew Rannells, Tony Yazbeck and More Celebrate YoungArts Awareness Day at Feinstein's/54 Below
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 25, 2015
On Thursday, September 24th, the National YoungArtsFoundation (YoungArts) kicked off their 2015-2016 season with the second annual YoungArts Awareness Day, a national campaign to encourage young artists to pursue their dreams of becoming professional artists and to show that #becauseofyoungarts, artists ages 15 to 18 years are able to take the next steps toward achieving their goals and building a strong professional network including award-winning and acclaimed alumni. This year's celebration included a series of public events in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Scroll down for photos from the concert at 54 Below in New York City, featuring Broadway's Andrew Rannells, Tony Yazbeck and more!
The events encouraged emerging artists (ages 15 to 18 or in high school grades 10-12) to apply to become part of the 35th Anniversary Class of YoungArts Winners at youngarts.org/apply through October 16, 2015.
In New York City, Broadway stars Rannells (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater), Yazbeck (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater), and Alysha Deslorieux (2008 YoungArtsWinner in Theater), singer/songwriter Grace Weber (2006 YoungArts Winner in Voice and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts), pianist Julian Pollack (2006 YoungArts Winner in Jazz), as well as Julliard dancers Daisy Jacobson (2013 YoungArts Winner in Dance), Sean Howe (2013 YoungArts Winner in Dance) and Riley O'Flynn (2014 YoungArts Winner in Dance), performed in a dynamic Broadway showcase directed by former Gossip Girl and The Knickactress Zuzanna Szadkowski (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) at 54 Below.A full house, including VIP attendees Sarah Arison, Harry Hersh and Joey DeBenedetto, enjoyed dinner and drinks in the intimate setting while watching the cabaret that included Rannells's cover of "Wicked Little Town" from HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, Yazbeck's cover of "Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY, and Weber's original song "Oil and Gold." A free concert by organist Greg Zelek (2010 YoungArts Winner in Music) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art took place earlier in the day.
The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison to identify and support the next generation of artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts; assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development; and raise appreciation for the arts in American society. Each year, there are approximately 11,000 applications to YoungArts from 15-18 year old (or grades 10-12) artists, and from these, approximately 800 winners are selected.
Photo Credits: Getty Images and World Red Eye
YoungArts Awareness Day at 54 Below on September 24, 2015 in New York City
Tony Yazbeck, Andrew Rannells, Grace Weber and Zuzanna Szadkowski
Sarah Arison, Tony Yazbeck, Grace Weber, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Andrew Rannells, Alysha Deslorieux and Julian Pollack
Lauren Winston, Sarah Arison, Tony Yazbeck, Grace Weber, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Andrew Rannells, Alysha Deslorieux and Julian Pollack
(back row) Andrew Rannells, Riley O'Flynn and Tony Yazbeck, and (front row) Sarah Arison, Julian Pollack, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Grace Weber, Alysha Deslorieux, Sean Howe and Daisy Jacobson
(back row) Andrew Rannells, Riley O'Flynn, Sean Howe and Tony Yazbeck, and (front row) Julian Pollack, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Daisy Jacobson, Grace Weber and Alysha Deslorieux
Sarah Arison and Zuzanna Szadkowski
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