Some of the best of Roosevelt Island’s creative community gathered at The Sanctuary last week, toasting local hero Wendy Hersh. Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance (MSTDA) played host at the Star Award ceremony.
by David Stone with Kimbirdlee Fadner and Andrew Enock
Photos: Irina Hage, Irina Island Images
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Honoring Wendy Hersh
Here’s what I learned from MSTDA Artistic Director Kimbirdlee Fadner about the Wendy Hersh Star Award event.
On Thursday, July 11th, 2024, the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance in Roosevelt Island, New York honored Wendy L. Hersh, President of Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and Founder of the Roosevelt Island Food Pantry, as a star of our community. The MSTDA Star Award is presented biannually to a local hero to recognize their life achievements while raising needed funds for the non-profit performing arts organization.
For decades, Wendy has played a vital role in the Roosevelt Island Community. Joining the MSTDA board in 2007, she was instrumental in administering the scholarship program. Since taking on the role of president at RIDA in 2015, Wendy has been a driving force in providing essential services.
Many Roosevelt Islanders rely on RIDA for weekly food pantry access, home delivery of groceries, provision of disability equipment, and the annual distribution of school supplies for students on the Island. Her outstanding efforts have successfully secured grants from numerous agencies and foundations for RIDA.
Wendy Hersh had this to say after receiving her award:
“My daughter was very shy, and thanks to MSTDA it sort of brought out my daughter, who she was, who she is today and gave her a foundation. It’s not just about being talented or singing or acting, but it’s more the self esteem, what it brings out of people, giving them confidence and that’s what it did for my daughter and so many.”
The pre-dinner cocktail hour ignited a strong sense of community as esteemed guests, donors, sponsors, and performers congregated, exchanging stories and enlivening the atmosphere.
This was followed by a splendid dinner arrangement courtesy of the exceptional Sanctuary staff, accompanied by captivating performances from both past and present MSTDA performers, spanning from our youngest talents to Max Ehrlich and Orianna Hillard from the cast of Broadway’s Aladdin.
Ehrlic was choreographer for the latest production of The Monkey King, A Kung Fu Musical, the work by Jonathan and Kimbirdlee Fadner that was commissioned by MSTDA in 2018.
MSTDA confidently offers scholarships and work-study opportunities to qualifying families and individuals. Scholarship awards range from 20% to 80% of the class fees. Building on the success of the 40th anniversary fundraiser, MSTDA aims to expand services to the community and performers of all ages in future seasons.
Prospective contributors can contribute at a specified level to support production costs, hire industry professionals, and provide necessary scholarship funds to the theatre, dance, and music programs. Contributions from season sponsors are tax deductible.
About the Performances Highlighting Wendy Hersh’s Star Award
“We are so proud to highlight MSTDA current and past stars and students,” Kimbirdlee Fadner adds. “And we had some special guests – a Broadway appearance and a very special surprise alum performance by Wendy’s daughter!”
HELLO DOLLY: “Elegance” Quartet: A grand showing of current teen students and aspiring stars of MSTDA.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF TH EDOG IN THE NIGHT TIME: Monologue by Bryan Cusick: Tells the journey and triumph of a child who overcomes his disabilities by discovering his gift in “maths”.
ROLLING WARRIOR: Jack Fadner wrote this song as his first assignment going into 6th grade at PPAS. It is based on the book Rolling Warrior, by Judy Heuman who fought for the rights for disabled people and helped pass the American with Disablities Act.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Speaks of the possibilities of a new reality for anyone, no matter what their life circumstances are.
Bios of featured Broadway Guests:
Orianna Hilliard is a Broadway actress currently appearing in Disney’s Aladdin. She toured with the national tour of Aladdin before joining the Broadway company as a swing. She also played Diana Morales in the national tour of A Chorus Line set by original cast member, the iconic Baayork Lee. She earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering and thought the only logical path after that was to be on Broadway.
Max B Ehrlich is in Aladdin on Broadway performing in the ensemble and understudying the street rat himself. His Broadway touring credits include Aladdin, Miss Saigon, The King and I and Mamma Mia.
DEFYING GRAVITY – Lauren Burrows is Wendy Hersh’s daughter and talented MSTDA alum. She made a video in honor of her mom which was projected on the big screen!
An Emergency, Apparently
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