SOPAC Gala Journal November 5, 2022

Nov 05 2022

HONORING Paul Bartick South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race ENTERTAINMENT Mark Evans Alexis Morrast

Dear friends,

Are you ready to ignite the night with wild support for SOPAC’s positive impact?

Tonight’s Gala event is all about you – the vision you have for our regional community, the relationships that matter most to you, and the impact you want your philanthropic support to make.

We have put together an exceptional night of performance, stories, inspiration, and fun: all designed to inspire wild support for SOPAC’s transformational arts performance, education, and community programs.

So I invite you to step up and showcase your support in every way possible.

Bid on Silent Auction packages that spark your imagination.

Jump into the fray during our live auction for one of a kind unique experiences.

Give with all you’ve got in our special appeal.

Because your support makes our positive impact possible, changing the lives of tens of thousands of people every year.

Thank you for your belief and support, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Best,

Stephen Beaudoin SOPAC Executive Director

Dear Loyal SOPAC Supporter,

This has been an exciting year of rebooting for SOPAC. After being shuttered for 18 months, SOPAC was devastated by Hurricane Ida’s flooding and closed for another five months, undergoing restoration.

But, thanks to our talented and dedicated staff and board, supported by loyal patrons, members, and supporters, SOPAC re-opened in February – stronger and more vibrant than ever. And, in earlySeptember, we welcomed SOPAC’s new Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin.

We’ve produced dozens of entertaining shows and supported a variety of captivating rentals. The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC has showcased a wide range of artists, including students’ work in our annual INSPIRED MINDS exhibition. And the Village at SOPAC cinemas, with blockbuster and independent films, has brought patrons back to the movies.

Stephen Beaudoin is a community-focused, inclusivity-driven performing arts executive with nearly 20 years of leadership experience spanning the nonprofit sector. He’s hit the ground running, working closely with SOPAC’s staff and board, running SOPAC’s day-to-day operations, while fervently connecting with supporters and community leaders.

Tonight, we celebrate two extraordinary honorees: • Paul Bartick has continuously served on SOPAC’s Board for over a decade and as its Chair for the past six years. He’s passionately led our organization through good and challenging times without hesitation. SOPAC owes its current standing to Paul’s dedicated leadership.

• The South Orange / Maplewood Community Coalition on Race has strengthened our community for over 25 years with its unique focus on building and sustaining a racially, culturally, socially integrated, truly inclusive community, where there’s equity and equality for all.

As we toast our honorees and celebrate SOPAC, thank you for your generous support by attending this evening and participating in our auctions and paddle raise. Without it, we simply cannot realize our ambitious mission.

Enjoy your evening!

Regards,

Douglas C. Newman Chair, SOPAC Board of Governors

EVENING EVENTS

6:00PM – 7:45PM REGISTRATION COAT CHECK COCKTAILS HORS D’OEUVRES STROLLING DINNER PHOTOBOOTH 50/50 RAFFLE PURCHASE SILENT AUCTION 8:00PM SILENT AUCTION CLOSES

8:00PM – 9:30PM AWARD PRESENTATION 50/50 RAFFLE LIVE AUCTION SPECIAL APPEAL HOSTED BY

JEREMY DOBRISH HONOREES

PAUL BARTICK SOUTH ORANGE/ MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY COALITION ON RACE ENTERTAINMENT BY

MARK EVANS

ALEXIS MORRAST 9:30PM COFFEE, TEA, DESSERTS DISTRIBUTION OF AUCTION PACKAGES

HONORING PAUL BARTICK A LOVE LETTER TO SOMA SOMA is my community. Like so many of us, my family and I moved here to embrace the richness that comes with a community that values diversity and celebrates the arts. And the pull of SOMA is strong. We moved our family to Malibu until the gravity of SOMA pulled us back.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE The power of community is so ubiquitous it’s become cliché. I have witnessed the immense power of a group of people united by similar interests and inspired to work together to realize a vision. For me, the inspiration for SOPAC began with my best friend Jonathan Felsman’s vision, who dared to imagine SOPAC as the cultural hub of northern New Jersey at a time when it wasn’t even a cultural hub of South Orange.

Dear Jonathan passed away in 2009, during SOPAC’s third season, and we have carried his torch since. I started my SOPAC story co-producing our 2010 gala called “Small Town, Big Talent” with then-Executive Director Ondine Landa-Abramson. The Gala celebrated Jonathan and the SOMA community’s contribution to the arts—with homegrown talent including Zach Braff, Lauryn Hill, Kelly Bishop, and Christine Ebersole.

There is so much talent in SOMA that The New York Times calls South Orange “the place where Broadway comes home to sleep.”

I became Board Chair six years ago and, along with my colleagues, continued to build an organization that’s now financially and artistically strong. SOPAC has been my happy place for 12 years and counting.

It’s not just my happy place; we have been voted New Jersey’s “Favorite Small Performing Arts Center” for six years running. And our best years are ahead of us! I am excited about handing the baton to our new Board Chair Douglas Newman and Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin. We have a strong, galvanized Board and Staff that will continue to evolve SOPAC by serving our community and presenting arts experiences that transform.

As members of our community, I ask that you too participate in the evolution of SOPAC. Please donate your time, energy, and resources—coming to and giving to SOPAC often. When we contribute to our community, we receive in return the gift of giving, learning, and growing together. Borrowing a line from the Beatles, who I think said it best, “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Finding inspiration is important.

At M&T Bank, we understand how important the arts are to a vibrant community. That’s why we offer our time, energy and resources to support artists of all kinds, and encourage others to do the same.

Learn more at mtb.com.

M&T Bank salutes the South Orange Performing Arts Center and this year’s honoree Paul Bartick.

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HONORING South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that is committed to building and maintaining a thriving, racially integrated, suburban community.

For 25 years, the Community Coalition on Race has worked toward racial, ethnic, and cultural inclusion in every facet of public life through strategic action and advocacy. It creates strategies to support stably integrated residential neighborhoods, advocate for racial equity and excellence for all students in the schools, and bring the community together to learn, to build relationships across racial and cultural barriers, and to celebrate differences.

This essential work has not only endured but has evolved to meet the challenges of our time.

By making space for difficult conversations, and fostering sustainable, inclusive access to community assets, we create opportunities for people to form social connections and to work toward an equitable set of living circumstances for all. Learn more at communitycoalitiononrace.org.

PAUL, THANK YOU FOR STEERING SOPAC SUCCESSFULLY THROUGH FLOODS AND COVID TO A BRIGHT FUTURE Tony and Jennifer Leitner

ENTERTAINMENT ALEXIS MORRAST

MARK EVANS

Two-time winner of Amateur Night at T he Apollo, Newark-native Alexis Morrast has performed on the Millennium Stage o f The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and abroad throughout Europe and Africa. Currently a student at the Berklee School of Music, Morrast has already worked with Jazz greats including Greg Phillinganges, Steve Jordan, Dee Dee Bridgewater and many more.

West Orange resident Mark Evans is a renowned Broadway and West End actor, singer, dancer and director who rose to fame playing lead roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Waitress, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Book of Mormon, Wicked and many others. Most recently he performed at SOPAC in the world premiere of the musical comedy The Last Supper.

Paul Bartick, thank you for the gift of your time, talent and leadership as Board Chairman to help make SOPAC a thriving Arts Center. Congratulations on being an honoree!

Doug Newman, welcome! As the new Board Chairman, we know your devotion, skills and experiences will help to continue the growth of SOPAC. Dee Billia, thank you for stepping in as Acting Executive Director during a transitional and challenging time due to Covid-19.

Stephen Beaudoin, welcome as the new Executive Director. We thank you for your commitment to using your skills, years of experience, and enjoyment of the arts to enrich SOPAC and continue its growth.

Shana Baer, thank you for the years of support and service as Director of Development.

We know Katelyn Fatzler, the new Acting Director of Development, will continue to help to make SOPAC a welcoming place to come.

And to all the staff of SOPAC, A BIG THANK YOU for your unwavering support through the ups (and downs) to help SOPAC thrive!

Warm Regards, Members of SOPAC

SOPAC BOARD OF GOVERNORS

SOPAC STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

SPECIAL THANKS

BOARD OFFICERS

SOPAC STAFF

GALA COMMITTEE

Douglas Newman Chair

Linda Beard Director Of Community Engagement

Matthew Luminello Audience Services Manager

Stephen Beaudoin Executive Director

Ally McHugh Development Associate

Marc Chalom Vice-Chair Randall E. Haase Treasurer Matt Epstein Secretary BOARD MEMBERS

Sheila Corbin-Daniels Box Office Manager Rob Cruz Director Of Production & Operations

William Perlman House Manager Katherine Settineri Marketing Associate

Claudine Baptiste* Paul Bartick Larry Brodey Keesha Chavis James Davis, III, Esq. Dr. Paul Desjardins Jeremy Dobrish Maureen Gammon Carol Gardner Jordan Greenberger, Esq Dean Kameros Josianne Manasse, OD Rev. Dr. Terry Richardson Leo Sender David Stone Katherine Tooley Miriam Vales

Jessie Dromsky-Reed Membership & Marketing Associate

Rich Spector Special Events & Rentals Manager

Katelyn Fatzler Acting Director Of Development

Maggie Spector-Williams Event Manager

Sheena Collum South Orange V illage President

Jacqueline Larcara Marketing Manager

Stephen Schnall South Orange Village Trustee Liaison

Beth Fylstra Chief Financial Officer Michael Guarnaccio Head House Manager Madaline Krawchuk Administrative Assistant

Dan Stankus Production & Operations Manager Alicia Whavers Director Of Audience Services

Stephen Schnall Chair Jeremy Dobrish Matt Epstein Katherine Tooley GALA PRESENTERS Jeremy Dobrish Host Emmanuella Estime April Hart GALA VENDORS Baker Street Trio BKM Video Bonnie’s Blooms CK Swett DePaolis Design Gianni Palumbo Givesmart Luminello Productions Mike Mullan Photography Orange Lawn Tennis Club

Sandra Dickerson Linda Forsyth Nancy Frazier Sharon Ginn Tara Hobbs Nancy Marino Robin Scherer Volunteers

Melissa Hodge South Orange Downtown Liaison

*On leave

Congratulations to SOPAC Gala Honorees Paul Bartick

for his years of dedicated service to SOPAC and

South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race for 25 years dedicated to strengthening our community

Carole Anzalone-Newman & Douglas Newman

SPONSORS TITLE SPONSOR

DIRECTOR SPONSORS DIRECTOR SPONSORS

DEPAOLIS DESIGN

Anthony & Jennifer Leitner Peter Shapiro & Bryna Linett

SIGNATURE SPONSORS

SIGNATURE SPONSORS

Carole Anzalone-Newman & Douglas Newman Anonymous Friends of SOPAC

BRANDING & DESIGN

16 YEARS: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

DEPAOLIS DESIGN

dianedepaolis @gmail.com

depaolis design.com

201 532 2733

DIANE DEPAOLIS

SPONSORS HOST COMMITTEE SPONSORS Carol & Larry Brodey The Chalom Family Samuel M. Convissor Dr. Paul & C atherine Desjardins Maureen & Fred Gammon Robert & Mattye Gandel Carol & Gerry Gardner Eli & Risa Goldstein Kelly Quirk in Honor of Board of Trustees of the Community Coalition on Race Randall Haase & Judith Rosenberg Terry & NaDeen Richardson Ann & Mel Schaffer Stephen A. Schnall Leo & Barbara Sender Noel S. Siegel Katherine & Michael Tooley Jerry & Hanie Warshaw

MAKING AN IMPACT

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MAPLEWOOD

156 Maplewood Avenue

SOUTH ORANGE 200 Valley Street

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF ESSEX COUNTY Claudine Baptiste 973 487 1731 l cbaptiste@bcb.bank Visit our website or call us for a full list of hours and locations. www.BCB.Bank l 1.800.680.6872

AUCTION PROCEDURES AUCTION PROCEDURES Please visit sopacgala2022.givesmart.com for all Silent

Auction items and descriptions. Item descriptions are followed by a value or in the case of particularly unique items, the value is listed as priceless. Please note that only the amount paid

over the fair market value is tax-deductible to the fullest extent provided by law.

PLACING A BID: BID VIA TEXT Text “SOPACGALA2022” to 76278 and reply to the text

message you receive with your first and last name. Then, reply to the following text message with your email address. Click on the link in your welcome message to access your personal bidding page.

To see the current bid on an item, reply to your welcome message and simply text the item number. Example: “102” then press send.

Then, text the item number and amount you would like to bid. No dollar signs ($) needed. Example: “102 300” then press send. In this example, you placed a $300 bid on item number 102.

BID VIA WEBSITE Visit sopacgala2022.givesmart.com and create an

account. If you already have an account, please log in with your username and password. Once registered, visit “Items” to view all Silent Auction items available. Click on an item you would like to bid on. The Bid amount pre-populates with the next minimum bid so all you have to do is press Bid. Set up automatic bidding to easily manage your priority items. Select the Auto Bid tab and enter your highest bid amount. Your bid will automatically increase as needed to keep you winning until your limit is reached! You will receive a text notification when you have been outbid at your highest amount entered.

CLOSE OF BIDDING

The last call for bidding will be on November 5, 2022 at 7:45PM. You will also receive a warning text message 10-15 minutes before the close of the silent auction. The silent auction will close at 8PM. See PAYMENT information (below) for information on accepted forms of payment and self-checkout.

LIVE AUCTION PROCEDURES

To bid on a Live Auction item, attract the attention of the auctioneer by raising your paddle number until you hear your number called out loud and recognized by the auctioneer. Please raise your paddle high above your head at the appropriate time. Each bid legally obligates the bidder to pay the bid price in full if the bid is deemed final by the auctioneer.

Live Auction items may be paid for and collected by the highest bidder in the reception area after the performance. See PAYMENT information (below) for information on accepted forms of payment and self-checkout.

LIVE APPEAL PROCEDURES

The auctioneer will announce the start of the Live Appeal along with the suggested dollar amounts. If you would like to make a donation at any level, please raise your paddle number until you hear your number called out loud and recognized by the auctioneer. See PAYMENT information (below) for information on accepted forms of payment and self-checkout.

PAYMENT

If you are participating in the Auction and/or the Paddle Raise, you may make a single payment for your items and pledges.

You will receive a statement from GiveSmart detailing your items and pledges.

American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are all accepted forms of payment via self-checkout. To use the self-checkout feature, click on the Pay tab at the conclusion of the Auction on November 5, 2022, after 8:00PM. Here you can easily review your purchase summary and confirm payment information directly from your mobile phone.

Once payment is secured, a red PAID stamp will appear on the page, and you will automatically be emailed a copy of your statement. For auction winners attending the Gala at Orange Lawn Tennis Club, please stop at the check-out table at registration to pick up your prize. All other auction winners will be contacted directly with more information on how to claim your prize.

If you prefer to pay via check, please make checks payable to SOPAC and mail to SOPAC, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079.

All payments are final. Refunds are not permitted.

SOPAC will not be responsible for auction prizes not redeemed within the time specified by the donor or within a year.

Congratulations SOPAC on your annual gala and your continued work engaging and serving the community with arts experiences that enrich the local community.

Congratulations, Paul!

You are so deserving of this honor.

Your leadership has been exemplary in every respect, and you have set the bar for other board chairs to follow.

Thank you for all you do for the arts community and for SOPAC.

Mark & Carolyn Mason

Allison Ziefert Real Estate Group is proud to support SOPAC

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deliveries | subscriptions | events

SHOP

DINE EXPERIENCE Nature-inspired floral and gift shop 9 Scotland Rd. South Orange, NJ

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When enjoying a show at SOPAC be sure to stop by your favorite South Orange Downtown businesses! southorangedowntown.org

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Congratulations to all the SOPAC Gala Honorees

Dr. Katherine Shteyn, OD

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THANK YOU TO OUR SILENT AUCTION PRIZE DONORS Adventure Aquarium Alleum Yoga Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre AR Workshop Westfield Paul Bartick Stephen Beaudoin Beyond the Plate Bonni Benrubi Gallery Carol and Larry Brodey Marc & Andrea Bromfeld Brooklyn Nets TheCannabossLady The Chalom Family Keesha Chavis Class Act Performing Arts Studio Sheena Collum Dean Dafis Dennis D’Amico Dr. Paul & Catherine Desjardins Edgewood Country Club Edrington Matt & Bari Epstein Four City Brewing Company Fox and Falcon Richie Furay Maureen & Fred Gammon GlassRoots

Good Bottle Refill Shop Gravity Vault Sasha Green Randall Haase & Judy Rosenberg JACLO Bernard Jackson Java’s Compost Jenna Shulman College Consulting LLC Aida Jones Galleries at Kean University Kismet Acupuncture & Apothecary Liberty Hall Museum Luna Stage Josianne Manasse Maplewood Country Club Mark Murphy’s Music Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Barbara Mensch The Metropolitan Opera Jeremy Moss Mountain Creek Resort New Jersey Ballet Company New Jersey Performing Arts Center New York Giants New York Jets

New York Red Bulls One River Art School Paper Mill Playhouse Reeves‐Reed Arboretum Scussell Farm Leo & Barbara Sender Seton Hall University Somerset Patriots Sonny’s Bagels South+Pine American Eatery South Orange Frame Shop Marty Steinberg, RomanzaMusicEvents.com Nancy & David Stone Stumpy’s Hatchet House Tac Ops Laser Tag Taub Family Selections Stephen Taylor Tito’s Burritos Tory Burch Foundation Trader Joe’s Millburn Turtle Back Zoo Village Trattoria Westminster Hotel Wildly Floral Co. [words] Bookstore Zoological Society of New Jersey

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS GALA DONORS Sandy Rustin Fleischer & Evan Fleischer Matt & Jennifer Glass

Eli & Risa Goldstein Fay P. & Robert A. Marchman Mark & Carolyn Mason

Carl & Marion Wolf John A. Zoubek

As of NOVEMBER 02, 2022

BE TRANSFORMED

BE TRANSFORMED 9/15/23 – 9/17/23 SOPACnow.org