Starmakers 2009 Honors Six Patrons of the Performing Arts
Point Park University Marks 15th Anniversary of Conservatory of Performing Arts’ Showcase and Gala.
Pittsburgh, PA, April 10, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Point Park University will honor six long-time patrons of the performing arts this month at Starmakers 2009, the annual showcase and gala fundraiser for the Conservatory of Performing Arts. The event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom.
Paul Hennigan, president of Point Park University, and Rich and Anne Marie Boyd, Starmakers honorary chairs, will bestow Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awards upon:
Shirley Barasch
Nadine Bognar
Dolores Bold
Dennis and Annie Cestra
Marsetta Lane Schweiger
The Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awards recognize persons or organizations whose leadership provides the arts with momentum and visibility. To mark the gala’s15th anniversary, the 2009 awards recognize the performing arts patrons whose vision has brought the event to where it is today.
Shirley Barasch, Ph.D. is an educator, poet and composer/lyricist. From 1969 to 2004, Barasch served as artist/educator, music director and chair of what is now the Conservatory of Performing Arts. She wrote and directed the Playhouse Jr. 45th anniversary event and helped to conceive the Starmakers gala as it became known. A success from the start, Starmakers over the years has underwritten new pianos, dance floors, renovation of Pittsburgh Playhouse theatres and other Point Park initiatives.
Nadine Bognar, chairman and CEO of Bognar and Company is a former Starmakers honorary chair. Bognar initiated an event kick-off party and graciously hosted it for years at the Duquesne Club. She is credited with launching a press conference to generate media attention in the event and to announce the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement honorees. Her support for Point Park University is unwavering.
Dolores Bold, one of Pittsburgh’s leading arts patrons, is legendary for her support for causes she holds dear, including Starmakers, the Conservatory of Performing Arts’ gala. This “Original Starmaker” collaborated on many of the earliest events with Marsetta Lane Schweiger. Point Park awarded an honorary degree to Dolores Bold in 1997 in recognition of her service to the University and the region.
Dennis and Annie Cestra served as co-chairs for the memorable1994 event, “Bringing Literature to Life,” which helped to set the stage for future galas. Dennis Cestra, a Point Park University emeriti trustee and 1972 graduate, and Annie Hanna Cestra continue to take an active role in Starmakers. The Howard Hanna Real Estate executives provide leadership in helping Point Park University showcase its student performers and grow the gala every year.
Marsetta Lane Schweiger, Pittsburgh business owner and arts patron, joined with Dolores Bold to co-chair the first Starmakers gala 15 years ago. Their work on this and subsequent events helped to turn Starmakers into Pittsburgh’s foremost celebration of the performing arts. Marsetta Lane Schweiger is also credited with developing and promoting the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awards, which began in 1997. The president of Marsetta Lane Temp-Services, Inc. takes pride in seeing the award and the gala evolve year to year.
After honoring the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awardees, President Paul Hennigan will recognize the following winners of Point Park University’s Rising Star Scholarships, which are awarded to junior Conservatory students based on academic excellence and talent.
Elly Noble
2009 Rising Star Scholarship Winner for Theatre
Jonathan Orner
2009 Rising Star Scholarship Winner for Cinema
Ahmad Simmons
2009 Rising Star Scholarship Winner for Dance
Starmakers 2009 will feature a display of photos about Point Park University’s rich tradition of theatre, musical theatre and dance in the Conservatory of Performing Arts.
A highlight of the evening will be performances by Conservatory of Performing Arts students. For ticket information, visit www.pointpark.edu/conferencesandevents.
Point Park University, founded in 1960, is an independent, four-year coeducational institution located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. Point Park enrolls approximately 3,800 full- and part-time students in 67 undergraduate programs and eight graduate programs offered through its School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication and Conservatory of Performing Arts.
See an overview of the Academic Village at Point Park University, the $210 million master space plan that is transforming the Downtown campus, by visiting www.pointpark.edu.
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Paul Hennigan, president of Point Park University, and Rich and Anne Marie Boyd, Starmakers honorary chairs, will bestow Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awards upon:
Shirley Barasch
Nadine Bognar
Dolores Bold
Dennis and Annie Cestra
Marsetta Lane Schweiger
The Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awards recognize persons or organizations whose leadership provides the arts with momentum and visibility. To mark the gala’s15th anniversary, the 2009 awards recognize the performing arts patrons whose vision has brought the event to where it is today.
Shirley Barasch, Ph.D. is an educator, poet and composer/lyricist. From 1969 to 2004, Barasch served as artist/educator, music director and chair of what is now the Conservatory of Performing Arts. She wrote and directed the Playhouse Jr. 45th anniversary event and helped to conceive the Starmakers gala as it became known. A success from the start, Starmakers over the years has underwritten new pianos, dance floors, renovation of Pittsburgh Playhouse theatres and other Point Park initiatives.
Nadine Bognar, chairman and CEO of Bognar and Company is a former Starmakers honorary chair. Bognar initiated an event kick-off party and graciously hosted it for years at the Duquesne Club. She is credited with launching a press conference to generate media attention in the event and to announce the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement honorees. Her support for Point Park University is unwavering.
Dolores Bold, one of Pittsburgh’s leading arts patrons, is legendary for her support for causes she holds dear, including Starmakers, the Conservatory of Performing Arts’ gala. This “Original Starmaker” collaborated on many of the earliest events with Marsetta Lane Schweiger. Point Park awarded an honorary degree to Dolores Bold in 1997 in recognition of her service to the University and the region.
Dennis and Annie Cestra served as co-chairs for the memorable1994 event, “Bringing Literature to Life,” which helped to set the stage for future galas. Dennis Cestra, a Point Park University emeriti trustee and 1972 graduate, and Annie Hanna Cestra continue to take an active role in Starmakers. The Howard Hanna Real Estate executives provide leadership in helping Point Park University showcase its student performers and grow the gala every year.
Marsetta Lane Schweiger, Pittsburgh business owner and arts patron, joined with Dolores Bold to co-chair the first Starmakers gala 15 years ago. Their work on this and subsequent events helped to turn Starmakers into Pittsburgh’s foremost celebration of the performing arts. Marsetta Lane Schweiger is also credited with developing and promoting the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awards, which began in 1997. The president of Marsetta Lane Temp-Services, Inc. takes pride in seeing the award and the gala evolve year to year.
After honoring the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement awardees, President Paul Hennigan will recognize the following winners of Point Park University’s Rising Star Scholarships, which are awarded to junior Conservatory students based on academic excellence and talent.
Elly Noble
2009 Rising Star Scholarship Winner for Theatre
Jonathan Orner
2009 Rising Star Scholarship Winner for Cinema
Ahmad Simmons
2009 Rising Star Scholarship Winner for Dance
Starmakers 2009 will feature a display of photos about Point Park University’s rich tradition of theatre, musical theatre and dance in the Conservatory of Performing Arts.
A highlight of the evening will be performances by Conservatory of Performing Arts students. For ticket information, visit www.pointpark.edu/conferencesandevents.
Point Park University, founded in 1960, is an independent, four-year coeducational institution located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. Point Park enrolls approximately 3,800 full- and part-time students in 67 undergraduate programs and eight graduate programs offered through its School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication and Conservatory of Performing Arts.
See an overview of the Academic Village at Point Park University, the $210 million master space plan that is transforming the Downtown campus, by visiting www.pointpark.edu.
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Contact
Point Park University
Mary Ellen Solomon
412-392-6190
www.pointpark.edu
Mary Ellen Solomon
412-392-6190
www.pointpark.edu
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