This past week we held our spring benefit—Rhythm & Revelry—at the home of company member and four-time Tony Nominee Judy Kuhn. It was a spectacular evening celebrating the success of our new Mentorship Program!
Joining Judy as special guests were Tony Award winner and Actors Center Resident Company member Celia Keenan-Bolger; member of our 2024-25 Mentorship Cohort Drew Springer-Miller; and musician and performer Todd Almond on piano.
Additional speakers included Ron Van Lieu, acclaimed acting teacher and former Yale, NYU, and Columbia faculty; Peter Jay Fernandez, Resident Company member, Co-Head of Acting at Columbia, and mentor in our Mentorship Program; and Terra Chaney, member of our 2024-25 Mentorship Cohort.
The event was a rousing success—raising $30,000 for our Mentorship Program. We’re aiming to raise another $10,000 by June 30. Donate today to help us reach our goal.
The reason we’re able to continue to grow and deepen our impact as an organization is thanks to every member of this community, and their unwavering commitment to supporting actors. Thank you!
Below we’ve shared some of our favorite moments from the night. We hope to see you at the next one!
Terra Chaney
“There were many times on my own when I felt small or constantly questioning my abilities or if there is a place for me as a young black woman in this industry. Now I have my mentors, teachers, and company members to remind me that I do belong and that my voice matters.
I would not be the artist that I am today if I did not apply last September. I think about that all the time. I realize how lucky I am to be in this first group.”
Ron Van Lieu
“The necessity of this mentorship program is what really energizes me, because actor training programs can teach you technique, they can teach you about the business, but they don’t necessarily encourage the heart and soul of an emerging young actor—and that’s what needs attention.
My interest has always been in the realization of human potential. I think that’s the most important thing in the world—that people that you believe in are given opportunity to realize their potential in an environment that respects and loves what their gifts are.”
Celia Keenan-Bolger
“The theater is one of the few places where we put our phones away, sit next to a stranger who may have a completely different set of beliefs, and share an experience together. And in the middle of these chaotic and complicated times… that’s something…
And so a place like The Actors Center that gives space and resources for artists to build out our humanity—in this moment—feels not only radical but essential.”
Alex Birnie
“I am so proud of this new program, the inter-generational exchange that we’ve fostered, and the sense of community we’ve built.
The past five years have been really challenging ones for our field. Amid these challenges, The Actors Center is growing and expanding our work to support working actors and the performing arts ecosystem of New York City.
We invest in artists over the longevity of their careers. Spaces like this are rare. At a time of incredible uncertainty in our field and uncertainty for the future, The Actors Center continues to stand—as it always has—as a beacon of artistic development. We’re striving to meet the moment.”
