Investors Bank Grants $75,000 To Paper Mill Playhouse

Renowned for supporting community-based initiatives in the arts, education, youth programs, healthcare and more, Investors Bank and the Investors Foundation recently presented $75,000 to Paper Mill Playhouse through two grants.

A major portion of the grants will help fund the not-for-profit Paper Mill Playhouse's Arts Education Department and its annual Rising Star Awards, which are presented by the Investors Foundation. The Awards showcase the incredible talents of high school students from across New Jersey who create exceptional musical theater plays. These Awards are modeled after the American Theater wing's Tony Awards, which celebrate excellence in Broadway and regional theater. Paper Mill's awards recognize outstanding achievement by students and educators in all facets of a musical performance, including set design, direction, acting, choreography, and overall production excellence.

This year, a portion of the $50,000 Investors Foundation grant will support Paper Mill's Summer Professional Training Program. This includes the Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and the annual "New Voices" concert that gives young nominees an opportunity to perform on the Paper Mill stage.

"Investors Bank and its Foundation have been critical to rebuilding the financial health and ongoing operations of Paper Mill Playhouse and its popular educational programs," said Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director. "They believe in our mission of serving local audiences by producing and staging outstanding regional theater while nurturing the next generation of talented performers. When we were standing largely alone without any solid support, the team at Investors Bank generously stepped forward. Their help has been very instrumental in our artistic success and in making our Playhouse an important incubator for Broadway productions."

Paper Mill Playhouse also received a $25,000 grant from the Investors Foundation that will be used to support the theater's 80th anniversary gala fundraiser on May 11, 2018. This event will bring together donors, stakeholders and some of Broadway's biggest talent.

In discussing the grants, Investors Bank President & CEO Kevin Cummings said, "We are grateful for the opportunity to assist the Rising Star Awards that encourage and reward exceptional achievement in the production of high school musicals. Thousands of talented high school students participate in the

program, and their talent is amazing. The students, schools and teachers bring enormous amount of creativity, determination, motivation and team work to the process."

Todd Schmidt, Paper Mill Playhouse's Managing Director, said, "The generous support we've received from Investors Bank and its Foundation over the years has allowed us to serve some 40,000 New Jersey students annually. The funding makes the continuing program of the Rising Star Awards possible and helps us cultivate the talents and achievements of our young performers."

The Gala will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Short Hills, New Jersey. Honorees will include:

· James V. Fakult, President of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and Chairman of the Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees

· Jerry Mitchell, Theater Director and Choreographer

· IATSE, the professional union of stage hands

· Jerry Rose, Founder & CEO of Rose Floral Designs, a sponsor of the Playhouse

About Paper Mill Playhouse

Since its inception in 1934, Paper Mill Playhouse has continued to be at the forefront of public accessibility to fine musicals and is regarded as the State Theater of New Jersey. The National Endowment for the Arts has ranked the theater company second in the nation for artistic excellence. The Rising Star Awards were created by the Playhouse's Educational Department to encourage the performing talents of young people and reward excellence in New Jersey's high school musicals.

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With over $25 billion in assets and a network of more than 150 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank's banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.Investors Bank's website is www.investorsbank.com. Follow the Bank on Facebook and Twitter.

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