Page 29 - PGA Community News - December '24

December 2024
December 2024 2 Spaces PGA C.A.N.!, Page 29

Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 25th Anniversary

Celebrated With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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

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