Assemblywoman Buttenschon presents grant to Broadway Theatre League for youth programming

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) presented the Broadway Theatre League of Utica with a $15,000 grant on Aug. 17 to support its Students on Broadway program. The program works to make the arts more accessible to children attending K-12 in area schools and gives children the opportunity to attend field trips, matinee programs, and theater and other live arts performances at little to no cost to families.

Buttenschon's donation came from member funding from the State Assembly. She said that she chose the League after meeting with them last year and being introduced to their youth programs.

"We have seen within the numerous meetings that I've had with youth advocacy, that we have to provide as many opportunities for our youth," said Buttenschon. "This is just one example of how this programming can support our youth within the area."

The Broadway Theatre League of Utica is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1957 with the goal of producing, presenting and promoting Broadway level plays and performances to the community of Utica. It offers a subscription-based service where members can pay a yearly fee to reserve seats for each show it puts on at Utica's Stanley Theatre. In recent years, the League has presented up to 12 shows a year, this year it will present nine.

"Our biggest donors are actually ticket donors and patrons," said Danielle Padula, Executive Director of the Broadway Theatre League. "It's mostly done by everyday people who thoroughly love the theater and are members of Broadway Utica."

See the lineup: 'Book of Mormon' to open Broadway Theatre League of Utica's 65th season.

The Students on Broadway program brings children from nearby schools to shows at the Stanley Theatre and allows them to talk to cast members and various stage workers, such as sound engineers, lighting technicians and set directors.

"Our main initiative in this program is to unleash the creative potential in children," said Padula.

Padula stressed the importance of the Students on Broadway program's ability to provide exposure to theatre and the performing arts to children who may otherwise not get the chance. She said that for children coming from low-income families, high ticket prices can pose an insurmountable barrier to experiencing theater. Last year alone, 200 children and chaperones were able to receive free tickets through funding received by donors.

"A lot of times this is the child's or youth's first time seeing a show," said Padula.

Padula also mentioned the League's Student Ambassador program, which takes eleventh and twelfth grade students on field trips to New York City to see shows on Broadway.

"That is where they really take in the whole production from the ground up and get to not only visit the city, but to see a true live Broadway production," said Padula. "It's awesome. Especially to witness it and be there with them for their first time, it's so cool."

Padula has been with the League since March of 2019. A born and raised Utican with experience in event-planning and non-profit organizations, she said that she is proud to work downtown with students and highlight local talent.

"It's just something I'm really proud of, so it definitely feels like home working here," said Padula.

The League will be kicking off this year's theater season on Friday, Sept. 23 with a showing of "The Book of Mormon." Donations can be made and tickets purchased at broadwayutica.org.

In other business news

Hannaford Supermarkets has announced its new Groceries to Grads tuition reimbursement program. Through the program, full-time associates will be eligible to receive $5,520 in annual tuition assistance at any accredited college or university. Part-time associates who work 10 hours a week or more will be eligible for up to $2,000 in annual assistance based on their average hours worked. Additional discounts will be available at six partner universities: Saint Rose College in Albany, Husson University in Bangor, ME; The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, ME; Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH; Thomas College in Waterville, ME and University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME. For more information about career opportunities at Hannaford Supermarkets, visit Hannaford.com/Careers.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) announced on Aug. 16 that $3.1 million in Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants will be handed out to 32 community-based organizations across the state to support projects addressing environmental and public health concerns.

“Community Impact Grants support nonprofit, community-based organizations implementing a wide range of projects addressing multiple environmental concerns that adversely impact the quality of life in minority and low-income communities across the state,” said Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the NYSDEC. “Governor Kathy Hochul and all of us at DEC remain committed to prioritizing Environmental Justice and working collaboratively with these grantees to advance sustainable solutions."

Utica Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. is receiving $100,000 of this grant money to help with their Utica Healthy Homes Neighborhood Assessment program. This program helps to identify properties with environmental health and lead hazards.

Oneida Nation Enterprises will host its "Get in the Game" hiring event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12 at Turning Stone Resort Casino, 5218 Patrick Road, Verona. The Casino is offering a variety of full- and part-time positions, and qualified applicants will receive on-the-spot job offers and $1,000 signing bonuses for select roles, along with opportunities for affordable employee housing.

Indium Corporation, an electronics manufacturing company that specializes in circuitry and semiconductor production, has immediate job openings at its Rome facility where it will holding a job fair from 12-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 5836 Success Drive. The fair will allow prospective employees the chance for immediate interviews.

This article originally appeared on Times Telegram: Broadway Theatre League in Utica receives grant for youth programming