The power of partnership and the significance of arts education took center stage at this year’s annual Riverside Theatre Friends Fall Luncheon. More than 420 guests celebrated arts, education and community at the “Where Friends Meet” themed luncheon, which began with a presentation on the Stark Stage.
The event, which benefited Riverside Theatre’s ever-expanding youth programs, showcased its community-based collaborations, including with the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, the Learning Alliance, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and the School District of Indian River County.
Jon Moses, Riverside’s executive producer and CEO, explained during a short film presentation that it is through such partnerships “that every child in our community, regardless of their situation, has access to dream, has access to express, has access to find their voice. And in some particular cases, be or feel seen for the very first time in their life.”
Adam Schnell, Ballet Vero Beach artistic director and CEO, said that Riverside has provided the ballet company with rehearsal space free of charge for the past 12-plus years, allowing it to flourish and stay true to its commitment to promote dance as a universal language.
Through this residency, BVB has built community programs to strengthen childhood literacy through arts integration. Its Stage to Page program with the Learning Alliance will reach over 1,800 elementary students this year to support the county’s Moonshot Goal of having 90 percent of third-graders reading at grade level. BVB also partners with Childcare Resources with its First Steps program, incorporating movement with early childhood development.
“We need the arts more than ever nowadays,” said Schnell.
He reminded them that BVB’s production of “Nutcracker on the Indian River” would be returning to the main stage at Riverside Theatre this season, featuring over 20 professional dancers along with lots of local students.
Moses emphasized the transformative power of arts education with a quote by Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
He paraphrased a continuation of Einstein’s argument, saying, “While knowledge may teach our youth the facts of the world, imagination teaches them how to reimagine that world into whatever they want it to be.”
Moses explained that when students step onto the stage, they aren’t just learning lines, choreography or music.
“They’re learning confidence, collaboration, empathy and creative problem-solving skills. By fostering imagination and ensuring accessibility, arts organizations are not just building better artists but better citizens who are curious, collaborative and ready to envision a better future,” said Moses.
“At Riverside, we always strive to create the whole student, both on campus and also on site at all of our wonderful partnerships,” said Kevin Quillinan, director of theater education.
He commented that the interest in children’s programming has grown so much that they needed to add another week of camp this past summer.
Guests were treated to a dynamic sampling of the children’s programming, which included traditional and pop ballet performances by BVB dancers, a tailor-made piece featuring GYAC students, and a sneak peak of “Matilda, Jr.” by students showcasing a work produced in the adjacent Education Center.
Following the performances, everyone moved to the Orchid Lounge or Waxlax Theatre where they enjoyed a light luncheon. The palette of the day, envisioned by event co-chairs Stephanie Pickering and Jenna Suleman, whose children have been involved in the youth performing arts programs, was anchored by vibrant Pantone colors, reflecting the creative and dynamic programs being supported.
For more information, visit RiversideTheatre.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
