The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the New Paradigm Theatre (NPT), have chosen nonprofit community partner, Building One Community (B1C), for February production of West Side Story

 

New Paradigm Theatre (NPT), a company well-known for its inventive productions that are presented with multi-cultural, multi-generational and multi-gendered casting and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra (NSO) a 79-year old nonprofit with a well-regarded professional orchestra have chosen a community nonprofit that echos the themes in their upcoming production of West Side Story. 

Each summer The New Paradigm Theatre Company partners with another community nonprofit organization that reflects the theme of the summer production to raise money and awareness for issues and organizations surrounding the community. For West Side Story,  New Paradigm Theatre and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra have partnered with each other to produce the show and their boards have chosen Building One Community to partner with as this nonprofit’s social justice mission, reflecting the themes in the show.  

Building One Community - The Center for Immigrant Opportunity (B1C), is a nonprofit organization that educates, employs, empowers, and engages immigrants and the community. “As a center for immigrant opportunities, the themes presented in West Side Story resonate with our mission to support the most vulnerable. Although our clients are immigrants from over 87 countries, the majority of our clients are of Hispanic origin, who are trying to find solace for themselves, friends and family members, while being persecuted and targeted by the negative rhetoric surrounding immigration in our current political climate.” says Michelle Saldivar, Special Project Advisor for B1C.  

NPT’s Artist Director and Broadway veteran, Kristin Huffman (Milford CT) says, “New Paradigm is happy that we have found a simpatico alliance with another arts nonprofit like the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra who believes that we can produce shows and display a social justice conscience.  These shows not only entertain with Broadway pros on stage, but they also connect directly to our community.  During the rehearsals many youth and college interns will participate side-by-side with Broadway pros to learn and to create this production of West Side Story.

As partnerships between nonprofits continue to form in order to tackle social challenges from all sides, and as youth lead the way to a better world, this type of collective impact production has become increasingly relevant and a vital component of a community. 

For more info on the show please visit:  norwalksymphony.org