Ridgefield Playhouse Wraps Up Record-Breaking 20th Lier Foundation Arts in Education Season Hosting 17,000 In-Person Students and Reaching More with Over 102,000 Virtual Views
Monday, June 10, 2024) On June 3, 2024, the Ridgefield Playhouse wrapped up its 20th Lier Foundation Arts in Education (AIE) season. The AIE program introduces students to the arts through a full roster of one-hour, curriculum-related shows. This season, the Playhouse held 34 free live and virtual performances, hosting a record-breaking 17,000 in-person students and reaching over 102,000 more with virtual views, making the Playhouse’s AIE program one of the largest in the state of Connecticut.
Additionally, during this AIE season, the Playhouse served more than 650 students free lunches, covered the cost of 31 buses, and conducted 26 in-school language arts workshops in Title I schools. The 20th AIE season also saw the launch of the Playhouse’s “From Page to Stage” initiative, which promotes education and fosters a love of reading both at school and at home. As part of the initiative, 3,500 free books were distributed to students attending curriculum-related performances.
“What has made our Arts in Education program so successful is the relationships we build with teachers – that is one of the things I am most proud of. We strive to be their partner, augmenting what they are doing in the classroom,” stated Jodi Simon Stewart, Arts in Education Director, Ridgefield Playhouse. “Our diverse programming ignites a love of learning by sharing live, curriculum-related shows with students who then are excited to go back to school and continue their learning. Whether the show is exploring science, literature, or culture, it brings the topic to life on stage and engages students' imagination and excitement for the topic.”
The Playhouse was able to offer its 20th Lier Foundation Arts in Education season for free because of its 20 for 20 Campaign, which raised more than $200,000. Total funding for the campaign was in part made possible by the generosity of the Playhouse’s Fall Gala patrons, the Playhouse’s 7th Annual Bernie Williams Day fundraiser, the Lier Foundation, Rudy Ruggles, and many more.
“When we first decided to offer our Arts in Education program for free, we knew it was an ambitious undertaking. We hoped to start a tradition that introduces the arts to students for free for years to come. And we did it,” said Ashley Paltauf, Executive Director of Operations. “During the 2023-2024 school year, we impacted the lives of more than 119,000 students. We alleviated the many obstacles schools face when planning a field trip, such as raising funds for tickets, covering the rising costs of busing, and providing lunch for Title I students. However, we could not have achieved this ambitious goal without our community’s support. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s Arts in Education success. We cannot wait for our 21st season.”
- 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
LEADERSHIP FUNDING for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math performances provided by:
- Rudy Ruggles
PARTNERS:
- AAA Northeast
- Christine & Ron Agard
- Lauren & Carl Bailey
- The Barker Welfare Foundation
- Matt Bartelme & Kelly Moriarity
- Jackie & Bill Bishop
- Kimberly & Chris Bishop
- Books on the Common
- Madeline & Kent Calhoun
- Ann & Steve Carlson
- Jeannine & Thomas Carr
- Martha & Dick Cavett
- Diane & Anthony Dalessio
- Deborah & Dan De Clercq
- Eric Diefenbach & James Keith Brown
- Elizabeth Murray Ellis
- Emerson Charitable Trust on behalf of Branson Ultrasonics
- Enterprise Holdings
- Darlina & Michael Fleitz
- Liz & Steven Goldstone
- Sameena & Peter Groves
- Carolyn & Jon Hageman
- Lillian Kraemer
- George Landegger & Isabelle Bellis
- Rebecca & Stephen Mucchetti, Sr.
- Annie Mulgrew & Brock Emmetsberger
- M&T Bank
- Macy’s
- Peggy & Rudy Marconi
- Robert Markumas
- The Meek Foundation
- Carol & Thomas Newman
- Darlene & Paul Ottolini
- Cheryl Patterson-Zaic & Gregory Zaic
- The Perlmutter Family Foundation
- Peggy Reed & Patti Fernandes
- Meredith & Eric Reuben
- Ridgefield Playhouse Board of Directors
- Savings Bank of Danbury
- Katy Schermann
- Paul Shaffer
- Charlotte & Kameron Shahid
- Lisa & Alan Smith
- Rachel & Joe Sondheimer
- Beth Walters-Storyk & John Storyk
- Dianne & Tom Thulin
- Union Savings Bank
- Wendy & Stephen Wooters