Scott Schwartz New Directions Fund for Bay Street Theatre Announced

Bay Street Theatre is pleased to announce that it has launched a new Giving Fund to honor the vision of its new Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz. The Scott Schwartz New Directions Fund has been established to enhance the development and presentation of new productions, performances and events from across the theatrical spectrum that will attract, entertain, and inspire our audiences, and help redefine the cultural landscape of Bay Street.

This distinctive giving opportunity will enable longstanding and new Bay Street Theatre supporters to help launch and enhance many new productions and ideas including Bay Street's Mainstage productions, which kick off on May 31 with a new play, Conviction, a modern drama written by Carey Crim, which will be directed by Scott Schwartz. The Fund will also support the inaugural Bay Street New Play Festival, which will run from April 25 through April 27, new educational initiatives that include the expansion of our kids camp program to Southampton as well as Sag Harbor; the new Bay Street Late Night programming, which will launch after hours at the theater this summer; and a Shakespeare Initiative that will offer outdoor readings of Shakespeare's work to our audiences and community.

"I am very excited by our upcoming year of thought-provoking and entertaining productions, our New Play Festival, and the creative ways in which we will continue to engage our community," says Schwartz. "This new fund will enable us to work together to ensure a very successful 2014, and an innovative and sustainable future for Bay Street Theatre."

Says Executive Director Tracy Mitchell, "We are so fortunate to have Scott Schwartz as Bay Street's new Artistic Director, and additionally so grateful to have the support of so many people throughout the theatrical community who wish to help bring Scott's vision to life. This fund marks the kick-off to an amazing season of a very new Bay Street."

Bay Street Theatre is very grateful to its benefactors, Pia and Jimmy Zankel, for their extremely generous $80,000 lead gift to The Scott Schwartz New Directions Fund. "I cannot thank our Board Trustee, Pia Zankel, and her husband, Jimmy Zankel, enough for their votes of confidence and commitment to Bay Street and the cultural community of the East End," adds Schwartz.

You can support Bay Street Theatre and become a member of The Scott Schwartz New Directions Fund by making a gift or commitment pledge at one of these levels.

Producers: $50,000+

Directors: $25,000-$49,999

Benefactors: $10,000-$24,999

Friends: $5,000-$9,999

Associates: $1,000-$4,999

Photo by Mark Kitaoka