Page 14 - Abacoa Community News - December '24

Page 14, Abacoa
Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 25th Anniversary

Celebrated With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Congresswoman Lois Frankel and West Palm Beach The art work is visible from
Mayor Keith James joined Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) the street, and we hope that
Producing Artistic Director William Hayes, Managing people who have never been
Director Sue Ellen Beryl, Chief Financial and Operating to PBD will be enticed to
Officer Rudina Toro, and numerous local dignitaries on come in and learn what we’re
Friday, November 8, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to all about.” Prior to the start of
celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary and officially the program, guests mingled
unveil the theatre’s modernized, new lobby. “We thought in the eye-catching lobby,
our 25th anniversary was the perfect time to do a complete enjoying charcuterie and
renovation of our lobby and provide patrons with a welcoming champagne. The ceremony
space that offers a rich, sensory experience,” said Hayes. “It began with radio personality
essentially invites everyone to spend time there, and that also Mike McGann from Legends
goes for people who happen to be walking by the theatre. Radio welcoming everyone
and introducing the theatre’s
co-founders, Beryl and Hayes.
They looked back at the
company’s history and spoke
about some of the highlights,
including being honored as Michael Zeff, Rudina Toro, Bill Hayes, Sue Ellen Beryl, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Mayor
the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year Keith James, Rep. Kelly Skidmore
by the Chamber of Commerce
of the Palm Beaches. Palm Beaches (which organized the ribbon cutting); Chris
Next came remarks from Frankel, then from James, Roog, executive director of the Community Redevelopment
who proclaimed November as PBD month in West Palm Agency; Kariana Ingram, PBC Delegation Aide; and Trudy
Beach. Representative Kelly Skidmore followed with a Crowetz, CEO of Nonprofits First.
congratulatory Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the Beryl and Hayes presided over the ribbon cutting,
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, which surrounded by Zeff, Toro, Frankel, James, and Skidmore.
said in part, “Your productions have enriched audiences and They followed that with another ceremonial cutting, this
invigorated the art community.” Other notables in attendance time of a cake made especially for the occasion. The event
were former mayor Jeri Muoio; Dave Lawrence, president concluded with servings of cake – and more champagne!
Sue Ellen Beryl and Mayor Keith James and Bill Hayes and CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County; Diane and Mark Perlberg are the sponsors of PBD’s 25th
Commissioner Cathleen Ward; Michael Zeff, the new Anniversary Season, which opened on November 1 to critical
president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the and popular acclaim with Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning
Lost in Yonkers. The production runs through November 23.
The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority
and West Palm Beach Arts and Entertainment District are
additional sponsors of PBD’s 25th Anniversary Season.
Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit
theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the heart
of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the award-
winning company produces five mainstage shows and offers
a wide variety of programs for students at the theatre and in
schools. Committed to fostering the future of theatre, PBD
has become a hub for playwrights in Florida and around the
country to nurture their work through initiatives including
Congresswoman Louis Frankel The Dramaworkshop and the New Plays Festival. PBD
is a member of Theatre Communications Group, Florida
Professional Theatres Association, the Cultural Council of
Palm Beach County, and NNPN. In 2024, PBD was honored
as Nonprofit of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the
Palm Beaches. palmbeachdramaworks.org.
Mayor Keith and Lorna James Photos by Tim Stepien

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