Page 4 - The Islander - October '23

Page 4, The Islander

artS & entertainment

The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film

Festival Announces New Name, Dates And Key Leadership

Presented By MorseLife, The Festival Will Screen Feb. 27 To March 10, 2024

“After the enthusiastic audience reaction to our inaugural
festival in early 2023, we chose to rename it The Donald M.
Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival to more
accurately convey the excitement of Palm Beach’s iconic
location and the thrill of audience interaction with film
The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International creators,” said Donald M. Ephraim. “One thing that hasn’t
Film Festival, presented by MorseLife and founded by changed is our deep commitment to presenting Palm Beach
Donald M. Ephraim, will bring the best in cinema to Palm as a diverse, cosmopolitan community through screenings
Beach. The festival be held Feb. 27 to March 5, 2024 at of world-class films that span a wide range of themes and
the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center and March 8 cultures.”
to 10 at the Paragon Theaters in Delray Beach. The festival organizers have named film expert
Barbara Scharres, artistic director; Palm Beach County
arts professional Audrey Votaw, development officer; and Barbara Scharres Audrey Votaw
local happeningS from page 1 Nathalie Glaze, festival manager.
“Pre-production is the key to any successful film, and the
Veteran/Military tickets are $10 per person (proof same is true with film festivals,” said MorseLife President
of military service will be checked at the gate). and CEO Keith A. Myers. “We are pleased to bring these
There are lots of exciting upgrade ticket packages too: three incredibly talented women onboard now as we plan
Dirty Flight Suit Party, Flight Line Club, spectator seating, this spectacular event that will be a highlight of next year’s
premium parking and more. There are a limited number cultural and social seasons.”
available for each, so don’t wait to check the details at Since retiring from her role as director of programming
www.stuartairshow.com/tickets and purchase yours. at the Gene Siskel Film Center, formerly The Film Center of
The Stuart Air Show highlights the importance of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she served
aviation and the service of veterans. It also provides in various positions for 45 years, Scharres currently works
scores of opportunities for schools and school-age as a Chicago-based freelance journalist and consultant to
children to learn about aviation, American history, and filmmakers and film distributors. While at the Gene Siskel
the Armed Forces. Film Center, she oversaw more than 1,500 programs a year Donald M. Ephraim Nathalie Glaze
It is a safe, family-friendly entertainment experience that included surveys of national cinemas, retrospectives,
that generates financial support for benefiting nonprofit thematic programs, and premieres. She also supervised assisted with coordinating and managing VIP events for
organizations. The Stuart Air Show features thrilling and carried out the curatorial and research functions of the the Tribeca Film Institute and having served as a festival
performances by nationally known performers, as organization. coordinator, advancement events for the Sundance Film
well as interesting and historical stationary displays Scharres is a film scholar, writer, and lecturer who has Institute. She received a bachelor’s degree in business media
of aircraft and vehicles. published feature articles in criticism in film magazines and arts management from Marymount Manhattan College
To learn more about the Stuart Air Show, how you can and journals, including Film Comment, American in New York.
volunteer or be a sponsor, visit www.stuartairshow.com. Cinematographer, Chicago Reader, Variety, The Independent, To learn more about The Donald M. Ephraim
Chicago Sun-Times, and www.RogerEbert.com, an outlet for Sun & Stars International Film Festival, visit https://
which she has contributed extensive coverage of the Cannes palmbeachfilmfestival.org/ or call (561) 946-7607.
Film Festival for more than 20 years. After receiving an About MorseLife Health System
undergraduate degree in art from St. Xavier University, she MorseLife serves more than 3,600 seniors every day on
was awarded a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the its campus in West Palm Beach and through its community
Art Institute of Chicago. In 2006, the French government outreach programs. Founded in 1983, MorseLife is a
awarded Scharres one of its highest honors by designating provider of health care and residential services for seniors in
her a Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Palm Beach County. A charitable, not-for-profit organization,
Votaw joins the festival from the Norton Museum of Art, its programs also include short-term rehabilitation, long-
where she served as development officer. She began her term care, independent and assisted living, memory care
career in the local arts scene serving as an executive assistant assisted living, hospice, home health care, care management,
and membership assistant at the Cultural Council for Palm meals-on-wheels and PACE. Since its beginnings, MorseLife
Beach County. Votaw received her bachelor’s degree in art has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with
history from Florida State University. excellence, dignity and compassion. For more information,
A native of Palm Beach County, Glaze brings experience visit morselife.org.
Traveling Tribute Wall, photo provided by Stuart Air Show with two of the nation’s most significant film festivals having Photos courtesy of MorseLife

Editorial copy appearing herewith is not necessarily the viewpoint of
Seabreeze Publications of Central Florida. Most editorial copy is created by
Palm Beach Dramaworks Seeking
the homeowners and is edited by their appointed editor.

Volunteer Ushers For 2023/24 Season

Seabreeze Publications
Are you a theatre lover? Would you enjoy supporting To register, contact Tannous at ptannous@
Publisher great theatre and seeing shows for free by providing an palmbeachdramaworks.or g or visit
M. Sean Reid essential service? If so, consider becoming a volunteer palmbeachdramaworks.org/work-with-us/volunteer
J. Reid
usher for Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) 2023/24 season. for a link to an application.
Sales “Our volunteer ushers are so vital in helping us deliver About Palm Beach Dramaworks
Tom English, Laura Berrio, Bret McCormick a first-class audience experience,” said House Manager Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit
Production Manager Lee Nostrant Pierre Tannous. “They are our goodwill ambassadors, theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the
providing superior customer service and assisting us with heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season,
Production Department ensuring public safety. We can’t thank them enough for the award-winning company produces five mainstage
Elaine Donholt • Ruth Nekoranec • Katie Heystek
Sherry Whalon • Dianne Strout • Karen Kalisz all they do.” shows and offers a wide variety of programs for
Volunteers primarily serve as ushers for each of the students at the theatre and in schools. Committed to
All rights reserved. Reproduction or utilization of these contents in any company’s five productions. Occasionally, they are also fostering the future of theatre, PBD has become a hub
form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, including xerography and
photocopying is forbidden without the written permission of the Publisher. asked to help at education programs and special events. for playwrights in Florida and around the country
The Publisher is not responsible or liable for misinformation or misprints
herein contained and reserves the right to accept or reject all copy deemed All volunteers must complete an usher orientation to nurture their work through initiatives including
unsuitable for publication. onsite at PBD. Orientation will be offered twice on Oct. The Dramaworkshop and the New Plays Festival.
www.seabreezepublications.com 2; prospective volunteers can choose either the 10 a.m. PBD is a member of Theatre Communications Group,
1102 W. Indiantown Rd., Suite 5, Jupiter, FL 33458 or 6 p.m. session. For those unable to attend on that date, Florida Professional Theatres Association, the Cultural
(561) 746-3244 individual scheduling accommodations may be arranged Council of Palm Beach County, and National New Play
FAX (561) 746-2509 directly with Tannous. Network. See www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.