Online Play Readings to Benefit Two River Theater and Partner Non-Profits
ABOUT
The Reading Series
Readings selected for the series reflect the past, present and future of the theater’s diverse range of programming including reimagined classics and world premieres by the industry’s most adventurous theater artists.
“Among the many things theater does for us is to keep us honest about our desire and obligation to show up for each other and stay engaged in the present moment,” says Two River Theater’s Artistic Director, John Dias. “Two River’s family of artists are as eager to find ways to ‘show up’ as our audiences are. We’re launching this series—and partnering with other social justice/social service non-profits—as a way to respond to our present, celebrate our past and hope for our future.”
Benefit Tickets
Online benefit event tickets are $25 per reading and include access to live post-reading Q&As with the artists involved, hosted on Zoom. Online ticket sales will close four hours prior to event time. Tickets can be purchased from 3PM to 7PM on the day of the event by calling the box office at 732.345.1400. Sponsorships start at $1,000, and include additional benefits such as an invitation to a private virtual event with reading artists.
How to access readings:
Ticket buyers will be emailed a link to access each reading, three hours prior to the event’s start time. If you experience any issues, Two River staff will be available to assist you by calling 732.345.1400 or emailing info@trtc.org.
Donation Match
All donations made to Two River Theater in support of the series will be matched by a generous donor, to benefit five organizations with a pressing need due to the impact of systemic racism and COVID-19. Benefiting organizations are identified by the playwrights and directors involved in each reading and include: The Actors Fund, The Audre Lorde Project, The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and The Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Learning Center. All artists will be paid for their involvement in the series.
Co-Chairs
MARY ANSELL
CAROLYN CUSHMAN DESENA
Committee
ANN BAGCHI
AMANDA BUTTERBAUGH
CRYSTAL DICKINSON
MIA KATIGBAK
ROBIN KLEIN
MARY JANE KROON
ANNE MARIE SCHULTZ
CATHY SIVO
JOSE ZAYAS
UPCOMING READINGS
Benefit Reading Tickets: $25
The Next Act: Building the Future Together
For over 32 years, the vision and generosity of our community have shaped Two River Theater into what it is today. At this event, we will reflect on that legacy and the next act we are building together. Whether you’ve already made legacy plans or are just beginning to think about the future, we invite you to join us for a special conversation about planned giving and the future of Two River Theater. Featuring presentations by Artistic Director Justin Waldman, Robert D. Broege, Trusts & Estates Attorney at Jahos, Broege & Shaheen, LLP, and Christine Pronek, CPA, MST, Principal at WilkinGuttenplan.
Elephant Shoes
Cy is a deaf tech developer who is brilliant at finding the words for everything, except the ones that matter most. So when his best friend Chris falls for Roxy, Cy does what comes naturally: he becomes the voice behind every message, every perfect line, every moment that makes Roxy fall harder. The only problem? Cy is falling too. In a world built on instant translation, the hardest words are still the ones you have to say for yourself. Elephant Shoes asks what you do when the most important thing you've ever said isn't yours to say.
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson
August Wilson’s epic The Piano Lesson pits brother against sister as the Charles family fights over the fate of their prized heirloom—a hand-carved piano. One wants to get rich off its sale, the other will do anything to keep it in the family. In this Pulitzer Prize-winner, the ghosts of the past battle against the promise of the future.
Stir
Join us in the kitchen as two siblings piece together their mother’s beloved black bean recipe. Secrets simmer and memories are on the menu as they reconnect from across the country. Stir is fork-tender comedy that will excite your taste buds and leave you hungry for more.
Loch Ness
Awaken the myth of Loch Ness, a spellbinding World Premiere musical that weaves adventure and fantasy into an unforgettable journey that will take your breath away. Follow Haley, a spirited Scottish girl as she dives into the misty waters searching for truth and connection. Dazzling visuals swirl and a vibrant score soars, when the legend comes alive!
PAST READINGS
MAKE A DONATION
All donations will support Two River Theater while we are closed and will help us to prepare when it is safe to gather again.
In addition, all donations will be matched by one of our generous donors to benefit five organizations identified by the playwrights and directors involved in each reading: The Actors Fund, The Audre Lorde Project, The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and The Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Learning Center.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Please consider becoming a sponsor of this series.
For more information about becoming a sponsor, please contact Katie Benson at kbenson@trtc.org or 732.345.1400 ext. 1817.
For your tax records, please note that Two River theater is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and this contribution is fully tax-deductible as no goods or services were received in exchange for this gift.
$25,000 Sponsor
Streaming Recognition
- Verbal acknowledgement during all five broadcasts
- Acknowledgement in credits before and after all broadcasts
- Onscreen logo or name recognition during online live events with artists
- Verbal acknowledgement during online live events with artists
Online Recognition
- Logo placement on all email communications
- Acknowledgement in all social media posts
- Logo placement on website homepage and event page
- Logo placement or acknowledgment on registration page
- Acknowledgement in all press releases
VIP Access
- Tickets to all five readings followed by live Q & As with artists for up to 100 households per reading (ticket holders will be provided with a zoom link to access)
- Invitation for 100 to attend a Virtual Wrap Party with artists (attendees will be provided with a zoom link to access – date TBA)
- Code for 20% discounted tickets ($25 per reading)
- Use of the Two River Theater Library for one private event
- Invitations for four to all opening night receptions for an entire season after the theater reopens
- Engraved paver on our plaza at the $2,500 level
$15,000 Sponsor
Streaming Recognition
- Acknowledgement in credits before and after all broadcasts
- Onscreen logo or name recognition during online live events with artists
Online Recognition
- Logo placement on all email communications
- Acknowledgement in four social media posts
- Logo placement on website homepage and event page
- Logo placement or acknowledgment on registration page
- Acknowledgement in all press releases
VIP Access
- Tickets to all five readings followed by live Q & As with artists for up to 75 households per reading (ticket holders will be provided with a zoom link to access)
- Invitation for 75 to attend a Virtual Wrap Party with artists (attendees will be provided with a zoom link to access – date TBA)
- Code for 20% discounted tickets ($25 per reading)
- Use of the Two River Theater Library for one private event
- Invitations for four to all opening night receptions for an entire season after the theater reopens
- Engraved paver on our plaza at the $1,000 level
$10,000 Sponsor
Streaming Recognition
- Acknowledgement in credits before and after all broadcasts
- Onscreen logo or name recognition during online live events with artists
Online Recognition
- Logo placement on all email communications
- Acknowledgement in two social media posts
- Logo placement on website event page
- Acknowledgement in all press releases
VIP Access
- Tickets to all five readings followed by live Q & As with artists for up to 50 households per reading (ticket holders will be provided with a zoom link to access)
- Invitation for 50 to attend a Virtual Wrap Party with artists (attendees will be provided with a zoom link to access – date TBA)
- Code for 20% discounted tickets ($25 per reading)
- Invitations for four to all opening night receptions for an entire season after the theater reopens
- Engraved paver on our plaza at the $500 level
$5,000 Sponsor
Streaming Recognition
- Acknowledgement in credits before and after all broadcasts
Online Recognition
- Acknowledgement in two social media posts
- Logo placement on website event page
- Acknowledgement in all press releases
VIP Access
- Tickets to all five readings followed by live Q & As with artists for up to 25 households per reading (ticket holders will be provided with a zoom link to access)
- Invitation for 25 to attend a Virtual Wrap Party with artists (attendees will be provided with a zoom link to access – date TBA)
- Code for 20% discounted tickets ($25 per reading)
- Invitations for four to all opening night receptions for an entire season after the theater reopens
- Engraved paver on our plaza at the Group Level (add one line up to 22 characters)
$2,500 Sponsor
Online Recognition
- Acknowledgement in one social media post
- Recognition on website event page
VIP Access
- Tickets to all five readings followed by live Q & As with artists for up to 10 households per reading (ticket holders will be provided with a zoom link to access)
- Invitation for 10 to attend a Virtual Wrap Party with artists (attendees will be provided with a zoom link to access – date TBA)
- Code for 20% discounted tickets ($25 per reading)
- Invitations for two to all opening night receptions for an entire season after the theater reopens
- Engraved paver on our plaza at the Group Level (add one line up to 22 characters)
$1,000 Sponsor
Online Recognition
- Recognition on website event page
VIP Access
- Tickets to all five readings followed by live Q & As with artists for up to 5 households per reading (ticket holders will be provided with a zoom link to access)
- Invitation for 5 to attend a Virtual Wrap Party with artists (attendees will be provided with a zoom link to access – date TBA)
- Code for 20% discounted tickets ($25 per reading)
- Invitations for two to all opening night receptions for an entire season after the theater reopens
- Engraved paver on our plaza at the Group Level (add one line up to 22 characters)
BENEFITTING ORGANIZATIONS
The Actors Fund
The Audre Lorde Project
The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice
The Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Learning Center
TBD
SPONSORS
Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center
Two River Theater’s 2020/21 Season Sponsor
$25,000
Anonymous
Bank of America
$5,000
Anonymous
The Nancy Robin Karpf Fund
Katherine Kovner
Mary Jane and Richard Kroon
$1,000
Metrovation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Barrett
Carolyn Cushman DeSena
Tom Hessman
Aida and Brian Murphy
Lauren Nicosia
Patricia and Vernon Ralph
June Seligman
William Bruce Sherrill and Robert Cordrey
The Sivo Family
