Rosie’s Theater Kids, the nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through the performing arts, is establishing its first Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board, which is still in formation, will bring together leaders from the performing arts, philanthropy, media, and business to offer strategic guidance, amplify RTKids’ mission, and help ensure that young people from across New York City continue to have access to high-quality, free arts education.
Chaired by longtime arts advocate Jan Svendsen Weiss, founder of ACTivate4Good LLC, the Advisory Board will include the following leaders:
- Emily Bear, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer and songwriter
- Shane Marshall Brown, communications strategist and arts champion
- Valerie DiFebo, philanthropist, business executive, and arts advocate
- Sue Frost, Tony-winning producer and arts education expert
- Christopher Jackson, Tony-nominated actor, singer, and composer
- Sandi Lurie, arts supporter, HR executive, and community leader
- Mayte Natalio, performer, choreographer and director
- Sam Pinkleton, Tony-winning director and choreographer
- Charles Randolph-Wright, theatre, film and TV director, playwright, producer
- Lamar Richardson, actor and Tony-winning producer
- Lea Salonga, Tony–winning actress and singer
- Stacie Weisbrot, award-winning producer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur
- Leslie Mayer, philanthropist and producer, who will serve as liaison to the Board of Directors
“We are deeply grateful to Jan for taking on this leadership role,” said Lori Klinger, founding artistic and executive director/co-founder of Rosie’s Theater Kids in a statement. “Her passion for expanding opportunities for young people, combined with the collective experience and generosity of this remarkable group, will strengthen RTKids’ ability to reach even more students across the city.”
The Advisory Board will work with RTKids’ leadership to elevate the organization’s visibility, broaden its supporters, and champion the work of its talented students.
Founded in 2003 by Rosie O'Donnell, Rosie’s Theater Kids is a nonprofit organization committed to providing free, conservatory-level training in dance, music, and drama to students from underserved communities across the New York metropolitan area. Visit RosiesTheaterKids.org
