NEWS

25th Anniversary Gala Recap

On Saturday, April 29, A Noise Within held our 25th Anniversary Gala at the California Club. Months of work were dedicated to creating a night celebrating decades of creativity and storytelling on the stage. It was a night paying homage to ANW’s supporters, recognizing brilliant artists, and ensuring the continuity of our education programming. 

Our 25th Anniversary Gala was a huge success, and together we raised over $275,000 for our Classics Live! education programming. This broke the record for the most money we have ever raised in a single event. Thank you to all who have supported us not only at the Gala, but since our early days.

“Our most successful art asks our community to question beliefs, focus on relationships, and develop self-awareness. The entire evening was not just a celebration of our 25th, but also a celebration of fully engaged supporters and funders that have the idea of building community together through theatre – and an engagement with this most visceral and primal of storytelling techniques.” – Geoff Elliott, Co-Producing Artistic Director

At the Gala we took the opportunity to honor those that have been integral partners with ANW along the way.

We honored The Ahmanson Foundation with the Chuck and Bette Redmond Legacy Award. “Chuck and Bette Redmond were among our earliest and most ardent supporters, and their passion and generosity continues to bolster ANW. We can’t think of a better recipient for this award. […] This award recognizes all that they have done for ANW, for Pasadena, and the greater Los Angeles area. Their organization has proved to be a true supporter not only for the arts, but also for theatre education, which is central to our mission at ANW,” said Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Co-Producing Artistic Director.

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation was honored with the Community Matters Award. “The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation has consistently provided critical core operating support which has been instrumental in helping ANW to fulfill its mission. In addition to being an ardent champion and advocate of our work, this award also recognizes all that they have done to improve the broad fabric of the entire Southern California Community. We can’t imagine celebrating without them,” said Julia Rodriguez-Elliott.

We also honored Verbum Dei High School with the Outstanding Educational Partner Award. ANW Education Director Alicia Green said, “Arts education is such an important component of the ANW Mission, and Verbum Dei’s continued support and belief in the value of theatre in a student’s education embodies this vision completely.”

A Noise Within dedicates 30% of our annual operating budget to Classics Live!, our core education program. Each year, Classics Live! introduces over 16,000 students to live theatre through subsidized regular performance tickets, student-only matinees, bus scholarships, in-class workshops, and professional development programs and discounts for teachers.

This past season, ANW impacted 22 School Districts in 6 counties across Southern California. With the fundraising success of the Gala, we will be able to continue these programs and influence more students through the power of theatre.

It was wonderful to reflect on what we can accomplish together, and we are proud to have partners that share our commitment to arts education through theatre. All of us here thank you for being a part of the A Noise Within community. Here’s to the next 25 years!

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25th Anniversary Honorary Committee

Annette Bening • Claire & Bill Bogaard • The De Pietro Family • Kathleen & James Drummy • Sharon & Rick Ellingsen • Heather & Paul Haaga • Alice S. Huang & David Baltimore • Jeanie & Terry Kay • Sheila R. & Alan M. Lamson • Barbara & John K. Lawrence • Denise & Joseph Lumarda • Joanne & Gene Masuda • Terri Murray • Niki Nikias & C. L. Max Nikias • Trevessa & James Terrile • Marilyn & Eugene Stein • Andrea & John Van de Kamp • Julianne & David Worrell

Special Thanks to Our 25th Anniversary Planning Committee

Barbara Goen, Co-Chair
Lyn Spector, Co-Chair
Kathleen Drummy
Sheila Lamson
Terri Murray
Lynda Jenner Whaley

Click here to make a donation in support of ANW’s Classics Live! Education Programs.