Theatre Squared Holds Gala for Education, 11/19

TheatreSquared announced today the 2010 Gala for Education, supporting arts-in-education outreach for students and teachers throughout Northwest Arkansas. The annual celebration, a sell-out event in 2009, will be catered by the internationally renowned Chef Mario Maggi, a forty-year veteran of kitchens from throughout northern Italy and the world. This year's event will feature a command performance by acclaimed performer and Northwest Arkansas native Esther Stilwell, who returns to Fayetteville for the second time in her professional career after a starring role in the 2007 national Broadway tour of Spamalot. Sandra Keiser Edwards will receive the 2010 Arts Advocate Award, recognizing her longstanding dedication to arts and education in Northwest Arkansas. The event will be held November 19, 2010, 6:30pm at Savor Restaurant, 2217 College Ave. in Fayetteville. Individual tickets are $100. Guests are invited to RSVP to TheatreSquared at (479) 445-6333 or online at www.theatre2.org. 

The distinguished roster of community co-chairs for the event includes Becky and Bob Alexander, Nancy and Jim Blair, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Joel and Lynn Carver, Denise and Hershey Garner, Lisa and Jeff Gearhart, Susan and Eric Heil, Deb and Ken Senser, Judy and Bill Schwab, and Nancy and Dick Trammel.

The event will also feature the 2010 Sparkling Wine Raffle, awarding a $1,500 gift certificate to Romance Diamond Company and a selection of exceptional fine wines chosen by Bordinos Restaurant. Raffle tickets are $10 each or $100 for a pack of one dozen.

Guests will enjoy an elegant northern Italian dinner catered by the internationally acclaimed Chef Mario Maggi, newly hired by Savor Restaurant, as well as a selection of wines and beer. Chef Maggi has run, launched, owned and operated more than 30 restaurants in 10 countries, and is a new addition to the Northwest Arkansas culinary scene. Dress is business casual. Sponsorship levels, which include a table of 8 at the event, range from $1,000 to $5,000. Individual tickets are available for $100. Seating in the intimate Savor Restaurant is limited to 250 guests.

All proceeds from the event will benefit T2 for Education, TheatreSquared's landmark educational program serving students and teachers throughout Northwest Arkansas. Combining the expertise of leading educators and artists, this comprehensive arts-in-education program offers student performances, teacher workshops, professional training academies and a variety of collaborative educational initiatives.

Sandra Keiser Edwards, 2010 Arts Advocate Award recipient, currently serves as Deputy Director of Museum Relations for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a fine art museum founded by Alice Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Prior to this appointment, Sandy served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Development at the University of Arkansas for nine years.  She and her late husband, Clay, served as the management team for University Development directing the Campaign for the 21st Century.  In 2007, Sandy was made an honorary alumna of the University by the Arkansas Alumni Association. The Arts Advocate Award recognizes Ms. Edwards's indelible contributions to the Northwest Arkansas cultural community, benefiting students, teachers and arts patrons alike for decades to come. Previous recipients of the Arts Advocate Award include Sarah Burnside, John and Helen Lewis, Jim Blair and Louise Schaper.

Esther Stilwell returns to her hometown of Fayetteville for the 2010 Gala, where she will deliver a 30-minute command cabaret performance of musical highlights. Raised in Fayetteville, AR, Esther received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from The University of Oklahoma and completed the Summer Shakespeare Intensive at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Credits: Lady of the Lake (opposite 5 King Arthurs!) in the first national tour of Monty Python's Spamalot (dir. Mike Nichols), Grizabella in the 25th Anniversary Tour of Cats, Aldonza/Dulcinea in Man of La Mancha (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Auburn, NY), Miss Sandra in All Shook Up (Arvada Center, CO), Tokyo Disney's Encore!, and Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream (RADA).

Those interested in participating in the 2010 T2 Gala for Education should contact Martin Miller, Managing Director, at 479.445.6333 or visit theatre2.org for more information. TheatreSquared is Northwest Arkansas's regional theatre, dedicated to creating exceptional theatrical works and innovative educational programs

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