The theme of the night was community.
Actors, ranging from award-winning to young students, gathered together to raise money for an organization that has provided a strong foundation for so many young budding actors. Opening Act, an innovative nonprofit provides free, long-term theater programs to 50 of New York City’s most underserved public high schools. And through the organization’s strong emphasis on mentorship, students gain confidence, pride, and the knowledge that they can succeed at anything in life. The vision for Opening Act is to ensure that every New York City public school student has access to an artistic space where they can develop commitment, community, and leadership through their artistic achievement.
Every year, Opening Acts holds an Annual Benefit Play Reading to fund its mission. This year, the organization held its 12th Annual Benefit Play Reading titled HEAR ME HERE at New World Stages in New York. The reading was directed by Tony Award-Winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), and featured a star-studded cast including: writer/cast member Dominique Fishback (The Deuce), and cast members Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Deuce), Willow McCarthy (Matilda), Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Anthony Ramos (Hamilton; She’s Gotta Have It), Priscilla Lopez (A Chorus Line, In the Heights), Natalie Paul (The Deuce), Kim Director, Chris Bauer, Andrea-Rachel Parker, Kayla Foster, Olivia Luccardi, Daniel Serafini-Sauli, Jamie Neumann, Ira Schreck, Alexa L. Fogel, and Gary Carr.
HEAR ME HERE focused heavily on the theme of inclusion. For everyone involved, the event was full of excitement. Young students were full of nervous excitement.
The students of Opening Act after performing their piece for HEAR ME HERE
The play itself reflected the feeling of the night. Every single person involved in the event worked together cohesively as a community to ensure that the night went as smoothly as it did.
For many the night was truly special. Gbenga Akinnagbe told me:
“It’s an opportunity to give back, particularly here in the city, where the distance between have and have-nots have only gotten wider, and where the arts have been one of the first things sacrificed. Here’s a program that uses art to help people who don’t necessarily have all the opportunities or access that the 1% does, or even the middle class does, so here’s a great program that I get to see bridge that gap for the young people and that is the most important demographics.”
And, this is so important and essential to Opening Act. As mentioned above, the main vision for Opening Act is to provide a strong foundation for a lot of youth that would not necessarily have these opportunities.
A contributing writer for HEAR ME HERE and actor on the The Deuce, Dominique Fishback detailed why the night was so important for her, stating:
“Well I started acting with the MCC youth company and it was a program similar to this where you would come after school and write and perform your own stuff. So from the jump, they saw me, I didn’t have any acting training, and they said: oh, we see something in you so we want to give you an opportunity, and that’s why I’m so connected to Opening Act, because I feel like they do the same for students. And they’ve brought me along, and I get to do some master classes with them and get to learn and hear their voices. It just means that it’s continuing, the belief in the youth, and our ability to write and perform.”
And many other actors shared similar experiences to Fishback. Billy Porter spoke on his experience as well when asked about how excited he was for the night, stating:
“I’m always excited when I can pay it forward and give back. And that’s what it feels like to me. You know, I grew up in the 70s and 80s, I grew up with programs like this, outreach programs like this, a lot of them were government funded, which doesn’t happen anymore. But, if it wasn’t for someone giving me a hand, I wouldn’t be standing here. So, that what Opening Act is, and I’m glad to be here.”
For stars like Dominique Fishback and Billy Porter, the night symbolized their upbringing, and all that could be achieved with a strong foundation and a community that is there and willing to help as one continues to grow.
It was a very surreal experience to observe. Actors, either established or students, sharing a very beautiful experience. No matter what stage in career, mentorship is an important aspect of growth. And, the night truly detailed how essential it is.
Priscilla Lopez shared her experience with this, stating:
“Having gone to the rehearsal last night, and seeing the results of what the program has been able to create was really wonderful.” Later stating: “I was very happy to be apart of it and learn about something that really is so important. Because the arts save so many lives, the really do.”
Actors after performing their play reading for HEAR ME HERE
After the red carpet, we headed into the theatre to watch what everyone had worked so hard on. Director Suzy Myers Jackson opened the event, sharing some of her personal experiences with Opening Act, as well as the experiences of the students, detailing how important an organization such as this is to the youth.
Director Suzy Myers Jackson opening up play reading of HEAR ME HERE
After, the play reading began. The night presented itself in three acts, each showcasing a different group of actors, whether students or established actors. Regardless of experience level, all three performances featured a stellar cast that truly brought the words of the play to life. Each performance was truly captivating and exciting to watch. Members of the audience were on the edge of their seats as they watched the stories unfold.
Following the performance, the cast buzzed around the building with a post-performance high, receiving endless well-deserved compliments from the audience. The students giddy with excitement swarmed around some of their favorite actors, unable to fathom that they just performed on the same stage with some of their idols. A highlight of the after-party was when students surrounded actor Anthony Ramos, singing songs from Hamilton as he joined in, excited as well to be apart of it all.
Upon reflection, one really does begin to realize the impact of the night. Programs such as Opening Act are able to provide so much for countless students. One cannot help but feel proud and overjoyed for all that Opening Act is able to achieve. Through a strong mentorship program and emphasis on community, Opening Act is able to help students in a multitude of ways. According to their website, 96% of students showed improvement in their ability to work as a team and increased self-confidence through their time spent at Opening Act.
As Billy Porter as well as other actors mentioned above, organizations such as Opening Act are truly so important in all that they do for the community. And continuing their outreach is essential. That being said, nights such are these are important in providing funding for organizations such as these.
The 12th Annual Benefit Play Reading was a fun experience for everyone in attendance.