Ridgefield Playhouse Reaches $200,000 Fundraising Goal to Reach 20,000 Students in Person for Free During 2023-2024 School Year!

Ridgefield Playhouse announced today that it has surpassed its 20 for 20 Campaign fundraising goal of $200,000 to bring free Arts in Education
performances to more than 20,000 students during the 2023-2024 school year. Total funding for the campaign was in part made possible by the generosity of the Playhouse’s Fall Gala patrons.

The 20 for 20 Campaign is a celebration of the 20th  anniversary of the Playhouse’s Arts in Education Program (AIE). Started in 2004 by former Executive Director, Allison Stockel, the AIE program introduces students to the arts through a full roster of one hour, curriculum-related shows. The funds raised will enable the Playhouse to welcome 20,000 students to live, in-person shows and stream to an estimated
50,000 in over 60 towns in Connecticut and New York – all at no cost to the schools.

“When we announced to the educational community that the Arts in Education program was being offered for free this year, the response was staggering,” said Jodi Simon Stewart, Arts in Education Director, Ridgefield Playhouse. “We have been overwhelmed with requests from schools, further underscoring the critical need for this program. We now have a waitlist of thousands of students we are trying to accommodate, even with the added livestream and virtual options.”

“Over the past 20 years, the Playhouse has built the program into one of the most productive and impactful in the state,” stated Jared Shahid, Managing Director of Booking, Marketing & Production. “Last year alone, the program reached a record breaking 15,500 students with both in person and virtual shows, provided 19 free busses, and served nearly 1,000 free lunches to Title 1 school groups. With the 20 for 20 Campaign, we hope to start a tradition that introduces the arts to students for free for years to come.”

“We are humbled by the generosity of our gala patrons, donors, and institutional funders,” said Ashley Paltauf, Managing Director of Operations and Development. “Thanks to the 20 for 20 campaign, we will alleviate many obstacles schools encounter when planning a field trip, such as raising funds for tickets, covering the rising costs of busing, and providing lunch for Title I students. Most importantly, we will impact the lives of over 70,000 students. We could not have achieved this ambitious goal without our community’s support. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this campaign’s success.” 

The 20 for 20 Campaign was made possible by generous contributions from the following donors:

The Leir Foundation, 7th Annual Bernie Williams Day, The George Link Jr. Charitable Trust, Ridgefield Thrift Shop, Barbara Benton Davis Fund at Fairfield County Community Foundation, The Box of Rain Foundation, Pitney Bowes Foundation, Fairfield County Bank, Anita & Nick Donofrio, Daniela Sikora & Keitha Kinne, Allison & Jon Stockel

Learn more https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/20-for-20-arts-in-education/