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Dear Friends,
In a year when everything changed, change at Rehearsal for Life was no exception. Our organizational structure shifted; our programming continues to adapt; and we gather for a Banned in Boston unlike any other.
Last spring, our Urban Improv program pivoted to virtual delivery, expanding our ensemble’s vision and practicing new ways to tell our stories and hear our students. In reflection of the year’s particular circumstances, our ensemble crafted new curricula to reflect student experiences and explore such topics as racism, gender identity, isolation, diverse abilities, anxiety, loss and grief.
In the midst of these changes, we have celebrated certain constants.
What has remained the same is our shared devotion to our students’ wellbeing; our belief in theater as a means to promote and achieve social justice; and our commitment to the ideal of universal access to high-quality, drama-based social and emotional learning programs. By activating this process, we not only imagine a just and equitable future, but are working, every day, to make that future a reality for all young people.
For 25 years, we have come together as a community through Banned in Boston to celebrate our students, our mission, our ideals and each other. We laugh together; we stumble over lines together; and, with full hearts, we sing together, “There’s no Boston like our Boston!”
We have FUN together! At the heart of our organization is a sense of joy — of play — of on-the-spot critical thinking and action.
In a year of “no” — a year that required the utmost spontaneity and flexibility — we said “YES” to our work, our community, and our joy. Against all odds, we bring you this special event tonight.
Thank you for taking part in Banned in Boston’s Silver Anniversary, our second Banned on the virtual stage, and our first-ever “Zoom musical.” Thank you for your support of the young people of Boston and the future we are building together. Thank you for saying “YES.”
On behalf of our students, our troupe, our staff, our volunteers and our supporters, enjoy the show!
James Benenson, Chair of the Board of Rehearsal for LifeElena Velasco, Executive & Artistic Director
Rehearsal for Life, Inc 670 Centre Street, Suite 8 | Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-524-7045 | rehearsalforlife.org
Rehearsal for Life’s mission is to strengthen young people’s social and emotional skills for every stage in life, through
dialogue, creativity and performance.
How to WatchBefore April 1st:
Register for the event with your cell phone number atevent.gives/bannedinboston.
On Thursday, April 1st:Log in to event.gives/bannedinboston
5-10 minutes in advance of 7pm showtime.
Banned in Boston: A World-Premiere Zoom Musical“Make It a Musical”
Rehearsal for Life’s Board of Directors
“Take A Chance On Me”Boston’s Best & Brightest
“Gospel”Urban Improv Ensemble
“Tribute”Faith Soloway & Chorus
“Finale”Full Company
Banned in Booze-ton: OUR SIGNATURE COCKTAIL RECIPE FROM BULLY BOY DISTILLERS
2 oz. vodka 2 strawberries 2 basil leaves 3/4 oz. lemon juice 3/4 oz. simple syrup
Muddle strawberries and basil leaves in bottom of glass or shaker tin. Add remianing ingredients and shake with ice.
FOr Tonight’s ShowHonorary ProducersKippy Dewey & Narcissa CampionLisa Schmid Alvord
Book, Music & LyricsFaith Soloway
ProducersIan BrownellFaith SolowayKristen ShermanElena Velasco
Director Ian Brownell
Music Director Faith Soloway
Music Producers Capital B & Cooper Evello
Video Editor & Special FX Mike Kligerman
Production Advisor Francie Karlen
Contributing Writers Sebastian Stuart & Urban Improv ensemble
Youth Mentor & Co-Stage Manager Jamie Ullrich
Digital Marketing & Co-Stage Manager Emily Duggan
Event Partners Corinthian Events & Event.Gives
Data Manager & Props Lisa McColgan
CastJames DiSabatino
Owner/Founder, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese
Marlo FogelmanCEO & Founder, marlo marketing
Maura HealeyMassachusetts Attorney General
Diane HessanCEO, Salient Ventures
David HowseVice President, Emerson College
Office of the Arts
Rosabeth KanterProfessor of Business Administration,
Harvard Business School
Sam KennedyPresident & CEO, Boston Red Sox
Shirley LeungColumnist & Associate Editor,
The Boston Globe
Harry McEnernyActor
Jim McGovernUS Congressman
Amina Michel-LordEducator, 3rd & 4th Grade Team,
Mission Hill School
Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBAPresident & CEO, DentaQuest
Faith SolowayHead Writer, Transparent
Stephen ColbertHost, The Late Showwith Stephen Colbert
Mohamad AliCEO, International Data Group
The Honorable Charlie BakerGovernor of Commonwealth of MA
Michael BobbittExecutive Director,
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Jared BowenArts Editor & Host, WGBH’s Open Studio
Jim BraudeCo-Host, WGBH’s Boston Public Radio
Brad BrownOwner, Blue Frog Bakery
Mary CallananActor, Singer, & Cabaret Performer
Andrea CampbellBoston City Council
Sonia Chang-DíazMA State Senator
Gerald ChertavianFounder & CEO, Year Up
Steve ConineCo-Chairman, Wayfair
Cast ContinuedKevin Tabb, MDPresident & CEO,
Beth Israel Lahey HealthSally Taylor
Musician & Artist
Jimmy TingleEntertainer & Comedian
Corey ThomasPresident & CEO, Rapid7
Dave WillisCo-Founder, Bully Boy Distillery
Will WillisCo-Founder, Bully Boy Distillery
Jen ZiskinCo-Owner,
La Morra/Heritage of Sherborn
Josh ZiskinCo-Owner & Executive Chef,
La Morra/Heritage of Sherborn
JC MonahanNews Anchor, NBC Boston
Steve PeljovichOwner, Michael’s Deli
Robert RiversChairman & CEO, Eastern Bank
Valerie R. RobersonPresident,
Roxbury Community College
Emily RooneyHost, WGBH’s Beat the Press
Kathy St. GeorgeActress
Shayna SeymourCo-Host, WCVB-TV’s Chronicle
Stephen ShermanExecutive Chef, Scarlet Oak Tavern
Urban Improv EnsembleIJ Chan
Cooper EvelloJackson JirardCamilo LinaresKevin MadisonMerle Perkins
Holly TarnowerDir. Elena Velasco
Board of DirectorsJames Benenson, Chair
Lisa Schmid Alvord, Co-Vice-ChairGeorge Bennett, Co-Vice-ChairLevin H. Campbell, Jr., Treasurer
Katie Kulikoski, ClerkNarcissa Campion
Lisa CaseTed Clark
Kippy DeweyRon Druker
Kendrick Terrell EvansAnn Hall
Francie KarlenSkye Morrison Kramer
Shaunda LewisYujing Li
Kristina Hare LyonsThalia McMillionTom O’RourkeLisa PierpontFaith Soloway
Elena Velasco, Ex Officio
Co-ChairsFiona & James Benenson
Lena & Brent BercLisa Pierpont & Brant Binder
Robin & Ted ClarkSandra & Paul Edgerley
Francie & Jon KarlenKristina & Patrick Lyons
HostsChristina & David Lavallee
Yujing LiFarrell & Tom O’Rourke
Ellen & Adam RizikaJulie & Jeff Stuecken
Lisa & Patrick TaffeMadelyn & Jon Terbell
Cast ContinuedA Salute to Kippy & CissaNo matter the chairs, committee, cast, sponsors, restaurants or locations — these founding producers (with producer #3, Lisa Alvord) have helped cement Banned in Boston in the local social scene for 25 years, raising millions of dollars in support of Urban Improv. This fundraising event and community-building experience like no other has, in turn, established Urban Improv as one of the most sought-after creative youth development programs for thousands of young people in the Boston Public Schools and beyond.
Innumerable Boston chefs and restaurateurs have been the anchors of merriment, food and fun for Banneds past. No matter from where you are watching, you can support our local eateries during a year of extreme challenges. Our media partner The Boston Globe has created #ProjectTakeout to support their survival during this critical time. Let’s embrace our civic duty and help our community of restaurants weather the pandemic. Let’s Order Take Out!
Cheers to the People Who Got Us Here
2021 SponsorsBENEFACTORS ANGELS
PRODUCERS MEDIA
INSTITUTIONAL
ANGELSLena & Brent Berc
Brookline BankLevin Campbell, Jr.
Lisa & Jeff CaseEastern Bank
Julie & Ron Druker / The Druker CompanySarah & Paul EdgerleyTerry & Tom HamiltonFrancie & Jon Karlen
Anne Kubik & Mike Krupka
DIRECTORSSusan & Paisley Boney
Kate & Tom GilbaneLeila & Herbert HooperKrista & Roger Scoville
David V.N. TaylorKate & Ben Taylor
Kendra & Peter Wilde
STARSLisa Schmid Alvord & Joel Alvord
Mimi & George BennettAlexi & Steve Conine / Wayfair
Ann & John HallCarl J. Martignetti
PRODUCERSDorothy Pizzella & Charles Baker, III
Eileen & Jack ConnorsWendy & Gordon Cromwell
FourBridge PartnersHilary Maddox
Kathy & Joe O’DonnellWendy Goldstein Pierce PR
Cori & Charlie RingSCS Financial
Lisa & Patrick TaffeCandy & Jay Walton
2021 Sponsors ContinuedARCHANGELS
Fiona & James BenensonRobin & Ted Clark
Cat & John BrownsteinEllen Epstein & Ian Brownell
Nancy Donahoe & Jon CohenPeggy Reiser & Charles CooneyNancy Brown & Sandy Gadsby
Sandy & Dozier GardnerBrett & Abby Gordon
Leila & Herbert HooperHeidi Hughey
Lisa LewisLouise Riemer
Ellen & Adam RizikaBarbara Roche
Kathleen & Ross SherbrookeJulie & Jeff Stuecken
Alexis & Laurence WintersteenFred Wright
Blair & Jack Wylie
PLAYERS
Our ProgramsTHE URBAN IMPROV METHOD: HOW & WHY IT WORKS
Teaching artists create realistic scenes, and, at a pivotal moment, the facilitator calls “Freeze!” Students are then invited to jump into the scene and use their minds, bodies and creativity to resolve the conflict, experiencing the consequences of their choices firsthand.
Urban Improv Rehearsal for Life’s flagship program, serving over 1,100 4th-8th grade students each year at our Boston partner schools.
Youth Unscripted Our high-school youth empowerment program builds teen leaders through the exploration of social issues and a culminating performance on March 26, 2021.
Re: Action Assemblies Interactive assemblies jumpstart dialogue on challenging topics.
Freelance Players Afterschool theater fosters imagination, self-expression, empathy and community through the creation and performance of original musical theater.
SPRING 2021 PRODUCTIONS:Write Something, May 8 @ 6:00pmTumbleweeds, May 14 @ 6:00pm
America’s Next Top Monster, May 15 @ 6:00pmBuzz On, May 21 @ 6:30pmHamletta, May 22 @ 6:00pm
The Sacred Secret, June 4 @ 6:00pm
Special Thanks ToBully Boy Distillers
Urban Improv Filmographer Jeyjey RomanYujing Li
Want to get more involved?Contact [email protected] or (617) 524-7045.
Follow our socials!@RFLBoston@RehearsalForLife
@RFLBoston/RehearsalForLife
Gemma
Something I liked, was that they were all really open and fun.
Luis
I liked thatthe people of urban improv took today to get to know all of the students and all of them are extremely nice. I also like that they were taking time for all of us to get to know.
Ryan
Something I liked about Urban Improv is very cool and the people in it are very nice and care about students.
Emmett
One thing that I learned about urban improv is tha they arent trying to try super hard to connect with us like they dont lie about what they do to just like us and for us to like them u know whayt im sayin.
Molly
I liked how enthusiastic they were.
Annalise
I really liked it it was fun. It makes me feel happy they seem very exepting and happy they care about what we have to say and deep things we care about/have.
Fifth-grade newcomers to Urban Improv share excitement for their very first workshop session, spring 2021:
#ProjectTakeoutOrdering directly from your favorite spot doesn’t just mean a great meal—it means helping struggling restaurants and their workers.
For more tips on how to help go to Globe.com/projecttakeout