Anita Durst News

On May 1, 2024, the Central Park Women's Committee donned their hats at the 42nd annual Olmsted Luncheon, also known as 'the ladies' hat luncheon.'

The 2024 Manhattan Power Women Awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of Bevin Ross, Executive Director of The Drama League, and Violeta Galagarza, the visionary force behind Keep Rising To The Top (K.R.3Ts).

NOTHING TO WEAR, an art installation by Bonnie Comley, explores fashion, identity, and sustainability through art. Check out photos from the installation's opening here!

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center will present its 2023 FRANKIE Awards on October 14 at The Tank, honoring leaders in theater and performance in New York City.

A dependable haven for artists in isolation, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is now into its second year of non-stop weekly Community Gatherings this Friday, having offered to date over 150 conversations and unlimited camaraderie since April 17, 2020.

Join Theater Resources Unlimited for a captivating discussion on the legal perspective of the current state of the arts. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the legal underpinnings and the future of the arts. Register now for the Zoom link.

Anita Durst, the founder of ChaShaMa, held a two-day celebration to honor theater streaming service BroadwayHD, Bonnie Comley & Stewart F. Lane, and Gary Rosenberg of Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.

Chita danced onto the stage at the Skirball Center to present the Chita Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award to her friend and collaborator, 96-year-old John Kander.

ChaShaMa held a kick-off party celebrating BroadwayHD, the premiere theater streaming service, at Anita's Way in Times Square.

ChaShaMa’s founder Anita Durst hosted an Art Soiree kick-off event celebrating BroadwayHD, the premiere theater streaming service.

On May 3, 2023, the Central Park Women's Committee had their hats in tow at the 41st annual Olmsted Luncheon, also called 'the hat luncheon.' The event took place in the Conservatory Garden where over 1,300 members and friends gathered (with their best hats in hand, of course!). The luncheon this year raised over 4 million dollars in supporting and maintaining Central Park this year!

Check out photos from the 2023 Drama League Award nominations!

Bonnie Comley, who is starting her second of a four-year term as President of the Board of Directors, hosted a Holiday Mixer with Executive Director Bevin Ross, Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, board members, Directors Project alumni, and invited guests.

The Drama League Theater Center threw open its doors for a 'Welcome Back Celebration.' It was a welcome back to the Drama League's in-person programming, theater, and live events in the world's greatest city. The invite-only guests included the Drama League Members, staff, Board, and Directors Project alumni. Dozens of guests gathered at the Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Studio Lab to toast the new theater season and tour the Drama League Center's Tribecca offices.

New Camerata Opera will present Summer Concerts, a FREE live performance of favorite opera excerpts hosted by Chashama, on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 2pm, 4pm & 6pm at Anita's Way.

New Camerata Opera (NCO) presents Summer Concerts, a FREE live performance of favorite opera excerpts hosted by Chashama, on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 2pm, 4pm & 6pm at Anita's Way, 135 W. 42nd St, NYC. 

As a Board member, I am thrilled that the Chashama Gala, Art Party, and the new Chashma-Rama events were in person this year. The parties stretched over two days at 6 hours each and over a thousand of New York’s most forward-thinking landowners, corporate executives, arts professionals, and innovative creators strolled through the interactive installations and wandering performers. It was a celebration of the return of live events and Times Square.

Theater Resources Unlimited hosts weekly Community Gatherings every Friday at 4:30pm via Zoom, to explore the creation of art and theater in the time of COVID-19. Ask questions, bring answers, be part of a community - it's an opportunity to network with theater professionals and talk about keeping theater alive during these challenging times.

'I'm Just Tired' is a campy exploration of the anthropomorphization of depression a.k.a. the depression monster, created by NYC based artist, Leah Lane. Chashama will present the exhibition in May, which is National Mental Health Month. According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), ten percent of all Americans over the age of twenty will experience depression for two consecutive weeks or more at some point in their lifetime. Most of those adults reported at least some difficulty with work, home or social activities due to their depression. Removing the stigma, seeking help for depression and other forms of mental health and wellness starts with shining a light on the subject and supportive conversations.

Chashama, the prominent non-profit supporting emerging artists, has named 20-year-old performer and writer Leah Lane to its Board of Directors -- making her the youngest board member in the organization's history. Leah was formally introduced at a VIP reception and sneak preview of the Open Studios Weekend on Oct. 12.