Stamford Gives Back…Gives Back Again

From now until October 15, Stephen Sondheim’s bloodthirsty barber Sweeney Todd will be center stage in Curtain Call’s Kweskin Theatre. But, he’d better watch his back. The next generation of musical theater characters is gathering in the wings!

Over the next four weeks, Curtain Call will be accepting submissions of new musicals for the theater’s fifth annual musical theater writing competition, the American Harmony Prize. And the authors of new works received an extra incentive to submit this week when a donation from the charitable foundation Stamford Gives Back increased the value of this year’s award to $500.

“It pleased me very much to support the cash award for the American Harmony Prize reading last year,” says Maureen Pavia, Stamford’s First Lady and the founder of Stamford Gives Back.  “And I’m happy to do so again this year. I think that last year's play was so simple, but yet so powerful.”

Michael Lluberes, the author of last year’s winning musical, The Boy in the Bathroom, with composer Joe Maloney, was delighted to learn of Pavia’s continued participation. “It’s especially meaningful at a time when funding for the arts often takes a back burner to have the extra support from Stamford Gives Back,” Lluberes insists. “A life in the arts is full of sometimes difficult and lonely moments and receiving additional financial support along with the prize was extremely encouraging. What a wonderful way to support writers and the creation of new musical theatre."

“Curtain Call holds a special place in my heart,” Pavia admits. “I have great admiration and appreciation for the quality of performances that they provide to Stamford. And with that said, I’m certain that the presentation of American Harmony's Prize reading play in February, 2012, will be another outstanding success for local live theatre.”

This past July Stamford Gives Back became an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates in partnership with Stamford Center for the Arts. Pavia reports that the partnership has already made it possible for her to increase fundraising efforts, specifically in support of Arts-In-Education Programs. “I’ll be providing performing arts scholarships, assisting in producing performances, and bringing educational and cultural exchanges to students in Stamford,” she explains.

Pavia’s foundation has been in existence for a little more than a year and a half, but has already been able to support a host of local cultural and educational initiatives. “I’m the state director for the international ballroom program, Dancing Classrooms, which continues to grow in Stamford and will also begin in six schools in Bridgeport,” she continues. “I’m also partnering with SCA in a major project that will bring the famed African Children’s Choir to Stamford for a week in May, 2012.”

“It’s very important for Stamford to encourage cultural activities and opportunities,” Pavia feels. She points specifically to an event that she and Mayor Pavia attended just this past weekend at Temple Beth El, sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Southwestern CT and the Mayor's Multicultural Council, as an example of the kinds of activities she means.

“We gathered with many religions and creeds to remember and honor the victims of 9/11,” she says. “Even though this was indeed a very somber occasion, the joy and comfort among everyone in attendance was remarkable.”