ARTICLE
For Immediate Release IMAGINATION STAGE CELEBRATES THE CAREER OF BONNIE FOGEL The nationally recognized theatre for young audiences bids farewell in style to their visionary founder and leader of 40 years, and you can join them. January 25, 2021 (Bethesda, MD) - On February 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Imagination Stage, its Board of Trustees, and the community will celebrate the visionary 40-year leadership of Bonnie Fogel, Imagination Stage’s Founder. The virtual celebration will commemorate her legacy while toasting the bright future of an organization that has become irreplaceable for children and young people living in every corner of the region. The live-streamed premiere event will feature an interview with Fogel by Judy Woodruff, Anchor and Managing Editor of PBS NewsHour, who will illuminate Bonnie’s life story – from her childhood in post-war England and her arrival in the United States, to learning a secret about her family’s identity and beyond. The hour-long celebration will include guest appearances by Bonnie’s friends, family, artists, political leaders, and others who have witnessed her accomplishments and challenges first-hand. These remembrances will be interspersed with performances by professional actors and students currently enrolled in Imagination Stage classes. Producing Artistic Director, and Fogel’s successor, Janet Stanford, said “Bonnie’s extraordinary impact on the cultural opportunities for ALL young people in our region is impossible to capture in a sentence. That is why this tribute event brings together the voices and perspectives of many friends, family members, colleagues, politicians, and supporters to create a composite portrait of this multi-award-winning visionary and leader. Her story is full of trials and triumphs. However well you know Bonnie, prepare to be surprised and learn more on February 20.” Proceeds from this event will benefit Imagination Stage’s theatre and arts education programs that are especially important in the wake of disrupted schedules, social distancing, and unexpected change. These challenges have created hardships for all families but have especially affected young people who were already facing hardships before the pandemic. Donations for this momentous occasion are now being accepted, anchored by a generous Producer Level sponsorship from long-time Imagination Stage patrons Jessica Boger and Greg Rapawy. “Bonnie has the very rare ability to see the world as it should be and then work tirelessly to achieve her vision” said Imagination Stage Board President, Patrick O’Neil. “Throughout Bonnie’s impressive career, she has amassed an army of genuine friends and supporters who appreciate her for instilling her hope, creativity, and compassion into our lives. We hope you will join us to celebrate the woman who has enriched the lives of young people for over forty years and to ensure her organization may continue to do so for generations to come.” The evening will also highlight the organization’s Theatre for Change initiative, which includes programs that use theatre productions and educational workshops to bridge cultural divides and lift up underrepresented, young voices. Theatre for Change programming exemplifies Bonnie’s vision for theatre as a tool for change, inclusion, and education. Kim Barnette, Imagination Stage DC Board President said "I am thrilled to celebrate the magnificent Bonnie Fogel and her decades of commitment to improving the lives of children and their communities through arts education. Her passion is truly contagious! This is evidenced through her dedication to Theatre for Change. Through this initiative, Imagination Stage DC promotes powerful work that captures young voices and portrays life circumstances to encourage empathy and healthy discussion amongst people from all walks of life." This event is free and open to all. Registration is required and the organization hopes attendees will consider adding a donation to help support Imagination Stage’s theatre and arts education programs. Sponsorships for the Celebration are also available and sponsors will receive a special Celebration-at-Home Kit that includes a three-course dinner catered by Ridgewells Catering, among other items. Event Link: https://imaginationstage.org/a-celebration-of-bonnie-fogel/ ### About Bonnie Fogel Bonnie founded the organization in 1979 as Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts in response to the urgent need for arts education for young people. Imagination Stage has grown from an after-school program serving 17 students to one of the largest youth-oriented theatre arts organizations on the East Coast, reaching 100,000 children and families a year. About Imagination Stage Imagination Stage is a holistic theatre arts organization for all children and youth. Through award-winning professional theatre, arts education, and transformative programming focused on social change, the organization develops a deep appreciation of theatre arts, while building a sense of self and community. It is a place where children are always central to their purpose. Founded 40 years ago, Imagination Stage is a nationally recognized Professional Theatre for Young Audiences and offers high quality theatre arts instruction and opportunities for kids ages 1 to 18 years. To learn more about show schedules, sign up for classes, or donate to the organization, please visit www.imaginationstage.org. SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/ImaginationStage Twitter.com/I_Stage Instagram.com/imaginationstage
For Immediate Release
IMAGINATION STAGE CELEBRATES THE CAREER OF BONNIE FOGEL
The nationally recognized theatre for young audiences bids farewell in style to their visionary founder and leader of 40 years, and you can join them.
January 25, 2021 (Bethesda, MD) - On February 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Imagination Stage, its Board of Trustees, and the community will celebrate the visionary 40-year leadership of Bonnie Fogel, Imagination Stage’s Founder. The virtual celebration will commemorate her legacy while toasting the bright future of an organization that has become irreplaceable for children and young people living in every corner of the region.
The live-streamed premiere event will feature an interview with Fogel by Judy Woodruff, Anchor and Managing Editor of PBS NewsHour, who will illuminate Bonnie’s life story – from her childhood in post-war England and her arrival in the United States, to learning a secret about her family’s identity and beyond. The hour-long celebration will include guest appearances by Bonnie’s friends, family, artists, political leaders, and others who have witnessed her accomplishments and challenges first-hand. These remembrances will be interspersed with performances by professional actors and students currently enrolled in Imagination Stage classes.
Producing Artistic Director, and Fogel’s successor, Janet Stanford, said “Bonnie’s extraordinary impact on the cultural opportunities for ALL young people in our region is impossible to capture in a sentence. That is why this tribute event brings together the voices and perspectives of many friends, family members, colleagues, politicians, and supporters to create a composite portrait of this multi-award-winning visionary and leader. Her story is full of trials and triumphs. However well you know Bonnie, prepare to be surprised and learn more on February 20.”
Proceeds from this event will benefit Imagination Stage’s theatre and arts education programs that are especially important in the wake of disrupted schedules, social distancing, and unexpected change. These challenges have created hardships for all families but have especially affected young people who were already facing hardships before the pandemic. Donations for this momentous occasion are now being accepted, anchored by a generous Producer Level sponsorship from long-time Imagination Stage patrons Jessica Boger and Greg Rapawy.
“Bonnie has the very rare ability to see the world as it should be and then work tirelessly to achieve her vision” said Imagination Stage Board President, Patrick O’Neil. “Throughout Bonnie’s impressive career, she has amassed an army of genuine friends and supporters who appreciate her for instilling her hope, creativity, and compassion into our lives. We hope you will join us to celebrate the woman who has enriched the lives of young people for over forty years and to ensure her organization may continue to do so for generations to come.”
The evening will also highlight the organization’s Theatre for Change initiative, which includes programs that use theatre productions and educational workshops to bridge cultural divides and lift up underrepresented, young voices. Theatre for Change programming exemplifies Bonnie’s vision for theatre as a tool for change, inclusion, and education.
Kim Barnette, Imagination Stage DC Board President said "I am thrilled to celebrate the magnificent Bonnie Fogel and her decades of commitment to improving the lives of children and their communities through arts education. Her passion is truly contagious! This is evidenced through her dedication to Theatre for Change. Through this initiative, Imagination Stage DC promotes powerful work that captures young voices and portrays life circumstances to encourage empathy and healthy discussion amongst people from all walks of life."
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required
and the organization hopes attendees will consider adding a donation to help support Imagination Stage’s theatre and arts education programs. Sponsorships
for the Celebration are also available and sponsors will receive a special Celebration-at-Home Kit that includes a three-course dinner catered by Ridgewells Catering, among other items.
Event Link: https://imaginationstage.org/a-celebration-of-bonnie-fogel/
###
About Bonnie Fogel
Bonnie founded the organization in 1979 as Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts in response to the urgent need for arts education for young people. Imagination Stage has grown from an after-school program serving 17 students to one of the largest youth-oriented theatre arts organizations on the East Coast, reaching 100,000 children and families a year.
About Imagination Stage
Imagination Stage is a holistic theatre arts organization for all children and youth. Through award-winning professional theatre, arts education, and transformative programming focused on social change, the organization develops a deep appreciation of theatre arts, while building a sense of self and community. It is a place where children are always central to their purpose. Founded 40 years ago, Imagination Stage is a nationally recognized Professional Theatre for Young Audiences and offers high quality theatre arts instruction and opportunities for kids ages 1 to 18 years. To learn more about show schedules, sign up for classes, or donate to the organization, please visit www.imaginationstage.org.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook.com/ImaginationStage
Twitter.com/I_Stage
Instagram.com/imaginationstage