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Announcements
2008 - The Teenys are Coming! The Teenys are Coming! ‘The STARS are Coming! The STARS are Coming!’ Awards Gala set for June 15th at Shea Theater Northern Brookhaven: The “Countdown to the STARS Awards is in its final days!” After more than a year of judging local High School theater productions from throughout Northern Brookhaven and announcing more than 75 nominees, the time is finally upon us to answer the question we all have been waiting for: And the STAR Award Goes to… At a formal black tie, red carpet extravaganza at the Shea Theater at Suffolk County Community College on June 15th, The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council [GPJNB] will host its first ever STARS Awards Ceremony Gala where the winners of more than 20 categories will formally be announced. “This is the day our nominees have been waiting for; the day where we finally announce the winners of our First Annual STARS Awards. Our entire community is teeming with excitement as we approach Sunday when we will all finally announce our 2008 STARS Award winners,” said, Lori Anne Casdia, Executive Director of the GPJNB STARS Awards. “On June 15th, a wonderful, exciting year will culminate when we will honor our STARS Award winners and there may be some surprises for our attendees.” STARS Awards is a scholarship recognition program where the winners will receive a scholarship from The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, a matching scholarship from Stony Brook University and a beautiful etched glass STARS Award. The awards gala will feature five live performances from theater productions judged this past season and a stage combat scene from the Long island Shakespeare Festival’s production of "Twelfth Night". “The STARS Awards is the first step to raising the bar on theatre education, much like school sports organizations, by encouraging attendance and community pride at our school productions. This innovative and creative program would not be possible without the insight, commitment and support of the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council Board Members, our partners and sponsors, judges, participating high schools, their staff and slate of talented student performers” added Casdia. High Schools participating in the GPJNB STARS Awards include Rocky Point, Mt. Sinai, Port Jefferson, Comsewogue, Newfield, Centereach, and Ward Melville. Prior to the awards gala, the nominees were first announced during a multi-media event that aired live on News 12. As part of the awards program, all nominees, representatives from participating high schools, sponsors and VIP guests attended a Nominee Congratulatory Dinner at the Wang Center on campus, sponsored by Stony Brook University. According to Casdia, the STARS Awards Gala and scholarship recognition program is made possible as a result of major partnerships and sponsorships from Wal*Mart Stores; Suffolk County Community College, SUNY-Stony Brook University, Times Beacon Records Newspapers, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Legislator Dan Losquadro, PTP Consultants, Channel 12 News, WBAB, WBLI, Show Biz Shots, Crackerjack Advertising Specialties Corp, and Bank of Smithtown.
Bonnie Grice:‘Voice of the Teeny’s’ Continuing with a series of major announcements in anticipation of the first ever Teeny Awards ceremony, The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council [GPJNB] heralded that renowned radio personality, librettist and author, Bonnie Grice, will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2008 Teeny Award Gala, scheduled for June 15th at the Shea Theater on the campus of Suffolk County Community College. Affectionately known as ‘The Voice of the Teeny Awards,’ Grice emphatically accepted the opportunity to serve as the MC for the first ever Teeny Awards presented by the GPJNB Arts Council. “We are honored and thrilled to have such a special and inspirational personality like Bonnie Grice as an integral part of our Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council Teeny Awards,” said Lori Anne Casdia, Executive Director of the GPJNB Teeny Awards. “There is no single individual in the arts or on radio more synonymous with all that is fabulous with the Teeny Awards than Bonnie Grice. Ms. Grice brings elegance and sophistication to this highly esteemed event.” Grice is the morning drive time host of a two hour arts and culture radio show on WLIU-FM, which features interviews and reports from Long Island and Connecticut leaders in the arts and cultural leaders. During her 20-plus year career, Grice has served as an award winning on-air personality and producer throughout the New York, Los Angeles and other major markets. In addition, Grice hosts a nationally-syndicated program, “The Song is You,” which is broadcast on 70 National Public Radio outlets. She also has experience on stage as an actor and backstage as a producer, along with being an inspiring singer. “We are exited to have Ms. Grice a part of the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Teeny Awards. Having the ‘Voice of the Teenys’ as our MC is truly a wonderful distinction,” said Allan Varela, executive director of the GPJNB Arts Council. The Teeny Awards is a scholarship recognition program where the winners will receive a scholarship from The GPJNB Arts Council, a matching scholarship from Stony Brook University and a beautiful glass Teeny Award. The awards gala will feature five live performances from theater productions judged this past season and a stage combat scene from the Long island Shakespeare Festival’s production of Twelfth Night”.
WBAB's Joe Rock talks with Lori Anne Casdia
Use the player below to hear the interview! LONG ISLAND’S TEENY AWARDS TAKE CENTER STAGE -- Student Theatre Arts Scholarship Recognition Program Launched with Rocky Point, NY (August 28, 2007) – The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council today launched the First Annual Teeny Awards for Northern Brookhaven High Schools. At a ceremony held at Rocky Point High School in Rocky Point, NY, elected officials, including Assemblyman Steve Engelbright; and Legislator Daniel P. Losquadro, Dr. Carla D’Ambrosio, Superintendent of Schools in Rocky Point School District, Charles Wittreich, College Director of Theater Arts for Suffolk County Community College, Matthew Whelan, Assistant Provost for Admissions and Financial Aid - Stony Brook University and local arts leaders gathered to announce the participating high schools and a $10,000 grant from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc for the scholarship program.
Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, qualified judges will attend high school plays and musicals at the participating Long Island high schools, and assess a variety of skills and disciplines. The top scoring students will be announced as the nominees, and attend a gala awards ceremony in June, where the winners will be announced and presented with a trophy and scholarship. In addition to acting awards, categories in drama, comedy and musical will also include: choreography, set design, lighting design, poster art, and recognition of stage managers. “The Teeny Awards will recognize and celebrate the talented theatre students across Northern Brookhaven and encourage them to pursue their dreams. By stimulating local interest in this program, we hope to develop an understanding of the value of the arts in education in a well rounded school curriculum, raise the bar on theatre education and promote increased attendance and community pride at our school productions,” said Lori Anne De Iulio Casdia, Executive Director, GPJNB Teeny Awards. “We are grateful to Wal-Mart for their generous support, seeing the vision and making a commitment to The Teeny Awards. This endowment allows the Council to realize an important community initiative.” The high schools participating in the program will be from the Greater Port Jefferson/North Brookhaven Arts Council service area. “I believe everyone has gifts,” said Dr. Carla D'Ambrosio, Superintendent of Schools -Rocky Point UFSD. “In Rocky Point we support students who excel in the Fine Arts. Participating in the Scholarship Recognition Program of the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council provides the opportunity for our students to be adjudicated by professionals in the field of theatre and encourages them to pursue their dreams.” Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is supporting this student Theatre Arts scholarship recognition programwith a sponsorship of $10,000. The announcement came during a ceremonial check presentation which was also attended by representatives and associates from the Middle Island Wal-Mart.
“Wal-Mart is committed to being a good neighbor and valuable member of the Long Island community,” said Steven V. Restivo, Director of Corporate Affairs – Northeast Region, Wal-Mart. “This culturally enriching and educational project is just one of many community-based initiatives we have been involved with in the area. We look forward to forging a lasting relationship with the Arts of Long Island and supporting its various community programs.” In 2006, Wal-Mart’s philanthropic efforts in the State of New York totaled more than $11.7 million, including $347,890 on Long Island. Theatre Arts develop in students many important life skills and qualities including: communication skills, self esteem, teamwork, improvisational skills, and creative problem solving. The New York State Education Department has added Theatre Arts to its learning standards, understanding its importance to an academic curriculum. The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council supports artistic activity in the Northern Brookhaven area by coordinating its efforts with arts organizations, artists, local municipalities, schools, art galleries, libraries, and theaters. Through extensive services including grant writing, technology, software and Internet support, and an aggressive programming schedule the Council seeks to inspire our youth to achieve excellence. For more information about the Teeny Awards, please call 516-983-3591 or email at lorianne@teenyawards.com.
Stony Brook University Partners With Arts Council for Teeny Awards Stony Brook University is proud to be a partner with the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council. We are delighted to be hosting the recognition dinner to be held in May 2008 for the Teeny Award nominees and their families. It is a wonderful chance for us to congratulate these talented students and for them to see our campus and the opportunities we have for them to pursue their dreams. We will be delighted to offer a matching scholarship to any student who receives one from the Arts Council who is admitted and enrolled as a full time matriculated student at Stony Brook. We look forward to a long relationship with the Arts Council and support your efforts to expand this program throughout Suffolk County and beyond. Congratulations… 8/28/2007
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