Dear Friends,
Welcome to A Night In Lights and thank you for joining us for this very special evening in support of State Theatre New Jersey.
Tonight represents the extraordinary power of community coming together in support of a shared belief: that the performing arts should be accessible, inspiring, and welcoming to all. Your generosity and partnership make it possible for State Theatre to serve more than 30,000 children and families each year through arts education programs, affordable ticketing initiatives, school performances, community outreach efforts, and inclusive cultural experiences that reach far beyond our stage.
As we gather this evening, we are especially proud to celebrate the inaugural recipients of the State Theatre Spotlight Awards, recognizing individuals whose work and dedication have strengthened the arts and expanded opportunities for connection and creativity throughout our community. We are honored to recognize Svetlana Shmulyian and Craig Werner for the lasting impact they have made through their talent, leadership, and commitment to the mission of State Theatre New Jersey.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to our Gala Co-Chairs, Eileen Harkins and Alma Scott, the Gala Committee, our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and the dedicated State Theatre staff whose passion and hard work made tonight possible.
Most importantly, thank you for believing in the transformative power of live performance. Your support ensures that State Theatre New Jersey can continue creating meaningful experiences that educate, uplift, and bring people together for generations to come.
We are deeply grateful to celebrate this evening with you and hope you enjoy a memorable and inspiring night.
With gratitude,
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Sarah K. Chaplin | Wendy Wiebalk, Esq. |
Friends and Supporters of State Theatre,
Welcome to this year’s A Night In Lights Annual Benefit Gala! We’re thrilled to share this special evening with all of you who make the magic of State Theatre New Jersey possible.
enerations to come.
We hope this evening leaves you with some incredible memories and pride in the enduring impact we create—together—here at State Theatre New Jersey.
Enjoy your evening!
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Robert J. DiLeo | John Reissner |
Born and raised in Dunellen, NJ, John and Jeanne Fitzgerald have been steadfast supporters of the performing arts and education across the state for decades. Married for 40 years, the Fitzgeralds have dedicated their personal and professional lives to enriching the cultural and civic fabric of New Jersey.
John currently serves as the President & Chief Executive Officer of Magyar Bank, headquartered in New Brunswick. An industry veteran with over 35 years of experience, John joined Magyar Bank in 2001, where he established the Commercial Lending Department before becoming President & CEO in 2010. A graduate of the University of Maryland and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, John is active in numerous professional and community organizations. He is also a past Chair of the New Jersey Bankers Association, past Chairman of the Board of the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce, past President of the North Jersey Chapter of the Risk Management Association, past President for the Community Bankers Association, and a former member and past President of the Dunellen Board of Education.
John’s commitment to the arts has been especially visible through his long-standing involvement with State Theatre New Jersey. He currently serves as Chair of the Board, where he has played a crucial role in guiding the theater through significant strategic initiatives, including a major renovation campaign completed in 2021 and the expansion of community arts access programs to advance STNJ’s mission of bringing the power of live performance to diverse audiences. John and Jeanne have co-chaired several of STNJ’s Annual Benefit Galas in support of arts programming and education.
Jeanne, a graduate of Douglass College at Rutgers University, retired after 28 years as a special education teacher in the Springfield Public School District. Jeanne continues to work with special needs individuals through the Division of Developmental Disabilities of NJ. Jeanne helps individuals increase independence by teaching life skills and ways to participate meaningfully in the community. Jeanne is also an active volunteer at Lifetown, providing opportunities for recreation, education, and therapeutic play for individuals with special abilities and their families in Livingston, NJ. Her passion for education and the arts has informed her decades-long involvement with nonprofit organizations, where she continues to volunteer her time and talents. Jeanne’s background as an educator has fueled her belief in the transformative power of the arts to inspire learning and build empathy, particularly among young people.
Together, John and Jeanne Fitzgerald exemplify dedication to the performing arts and unwavering service to their community, making a lasting impact across New Jersey. They are the proud parents of two children, Christina and Jay.
Eileen Harkins*
Gala Co-Chair
Johnson & Johnson, retired
Alma Scott*
Gala Co-Chair
Johnson & Johnson, retired
Hiam Boraie*
Boraie Development
Christine Bucca
Leader & Berkon, LLP, retired
Saul Curtis
PricewaterhouseCoopers, retired
Laura DeCandia
Johnson & Johnson
Elena DiLeo
NAI DiLeo, Bram, & Co.
Joey K. Grinkley*
Merck
Craig J. Guiffre*
American Benefits Consulting
Lisa Martin*
GlaxoSmithKline, retired
John Reissner
Magyar Bank
Todd A. Shamy
Kenvue, retired
Robin E. Suydam*
Franklin Mutual Insurance Companies
Wendy L. Wiebalk, Esq.*
Chartwell Law
Doris “Dee” Zampella
EAB Insurance Group
*Trustee, State Theatre New Jersey
STANDING OVATION SPONSORS
SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Campbell
Alma Scott
ENCORE SPONSORS
Boraie Development LLC
Cahill, Wilinski, Rhodes & Joyce
EAB Insurance Group
John and Jeanne Fitzgerald
Johnson & Johnson
NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and The DiLeo Family Foundation
CENTER STAGE SPONSORS
Lisa and Rick Martin
Todd A. Shamy and Joey Kareem Grinkley
Robin E. Suydam and Paul Corkery
MARQUEE SPONSORS
The Bauer, Dammann, Palumbo & Malewski Group
Benjamin and Christine Bucca
Cahn & Parra, LLC
Stephan DeMicco and Jeanne Fox
IBEW Local 456
Sharon Karmazin
Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.
Presidential Cleaning
Sherman Atlas Sylvester & Stamelman LLP
Somerset Regal Bank
Turner Construction Company
Unity Bank
RED CARPET SPONSORS
Eileen Harkins
Reilly Financial Group
Peter and Maggie Stavrianidis
World Insurance Associates, LLC
DONORS
Autoland Toyota • Jeanne and Paul Benner • Saul Curtis • Stephan DeMicco and Jeanne Fox • DIG Construction LLC • Dean J. Donatelli • Eileen Harkins • Yvonne Harrison and John Dowbackuk • Kevin Hoagland and Eileen Weber • Sergio Iacovitti • Colleen and Michael Maroney • Lisa and Rick Martin • My Local Roofer, LLC • Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Nissenblatt • Dennis and Doris O’Dea • Joan Poole • John and Julie Reissner • Schiller, Pittenger and Galvin, P.C. • David Simon and Risa Trinker • Spectrums End LLC • Robin E. Suydam and Paul Corkery • Kelly Walsh • Warren Zimmerman
Show your support for State Theatre New Jersey and take home something special for yourself!
Whether you have your eye on signed memorabilia from some of STNJ’s top performances, a unique experience, tickets to see your favorite team, or a fun and romantic night out on the town, our Signature Silent Auction has something special for you!
Make sure to include your mobile phone number when you create your account to subscribe to bid alerts and for instant notifications if you’re a winner!
Auction closes at 10:30pm on June 7, 2025. Winning bidders can pick up their items upstairs in the Studio at the end of the Gala or arrange pickup with STNJ staff the week of June 9-13. For more information and to participate, visit STNJ.org/Auction.
Beasley Media Group
Cambridge Wines
Marlene Canavera
Catherine Lombardi
Saul Curtis
Delta’s Restaurant
Eskaysi
Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club
The Frog & The Peach
George Street Playhouse
Hamilton Jewelers
Eileen Harkins
Harvest Moon
The Heldrich Hotel
Hyatt Regency New Brunswick
Magyar Bank
Mountain Tap Brewery
Mythology Distillery
New York Jets
Polished Planters
Raspa Jewelers
Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar
Sophie’s Bistro
Stage Left
Steakhouse 85
Robin E. Suydam & Paul Corkery
Stephen Taylor Portrait Artist
Venus Jewelers
We offer sincere appreciation to the following individuals and businesses for their generous support of this year’s A Night In Lights Annual Benefit Gala through the exemplary services provided and
in-kind donations made.
A special thank you to the State Theatre Staff and Gala Committee for their dedication and commitment to making this event a success, and also to the volunteers who helped.
AJ Images
Jeffrey Auger Photography
Bright Thyme Catering
GS-JJ Enamel Pins
IATSE Local #21
La Vie En Rose Talent
New Brunswick Police Department
Party Rental Limited
Star-Lite Stained Glass
Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com
