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Fête at the Farm
Sat, June 3, 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR & CEO

John Fitzgerald and Sarah Chaplin

Dear Friends, 

Welcome to State Theatre New Jersey’s Second Annual Fête at the Farm! Our annual Benefit Gala is our most important fundraising event of the year, and we thank you for being a part of it.  We are especially grateful for your generosity, loyalty, and partnership as we and other arts institutions continue to recover from the pandemic closures. The support of friends like you, who believe in our mission, enables State Theatre to present renowned international artists, sustain arts education programs that enrich children from pre-K through grade 12, and continue the work of overcoming barriers to arts access. 

Tonight, we recognize and pay tribute to two exceptional honorees: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the founders of the Wash & Learn New Brunswick program. Both have impacted our community and State Theatre’s mission in immeasurable ways. 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the leader in advancing health equity in NJ and around the world. They are also an incredible community partner, making a transformational gift to The Next Stage Campaign.   

Gisela Ciancia, Maritza Acevedo, and Anne-Marie McMahon are the founders of the Wash & Learn New Brunswick program, which creates opportunities for students and families to experience playful learning spaces where early literacy resources and time are specifically carved out for parents to talk, read, sing, and create with their young children alongside educators. Held at area laundromats, this program meets children and families where they are to increase literacy.

We thank the Gala Committee for working to make Fête at the Farm a success, and our Gala Chair, Craig Guiffre, for his steadfast commitment to State Theatre. We also extend very special thanks to Robin Suydam and Paul Corkery, Ryck Suydam, and the Suydam family for making their gorgeous farm available to us for this event once more.

On behalf of the State Theatre Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers, we thank you for your generous support and for joining us for this special evening of celebration. 

Warm regards,
Sarah Chaplin John Fitzgerald
Sarah K. Chaplin John S. Fitzgerald
MESSAGE FROM THE GALA CHAIR

Craig Guiiffre

Good Evening, Fête at the Farm Guests,
 
Welcome to our 2nd Annual Fête at the Farm! We appreciate your support as we celebrate over 100 years of State Theatre New Jersey—its incredible mainstage performances and its impact on our community.
 
My sincere congratulations to our honorees, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the founders of Wash & Learn New Brunswick. Both have had a profound impact on the State Theatre and the children and communities we serve.
 
As you tour the farm we hope you’ll take a moment to visit the bar in the washhouse, enjoy your hors d’oeuvres on the island in the pond, and play some lawn games with new friends by the boathouse as you enjoy some of our best local musicians.  

Thank you for joining us to enjoy this evening’s headliner The Bacon Brothers, and we look forward to seeing you on the dance floor under the stars!

Sincerely,
Craig Guiffre
Craig Guiffre
GALA LEADERSHIP & COMMITTEE

Craig Guiffre, Chair

Hiam Boraie   Farryn Melton
Ben & Christine Bucca   John Reissner
Saul Curtis   Robin Suydam
Eileen Harkins   Wendy Wiebalk
Jean McDonnell    
GALA SPONSORS

HARVESTER

American Benefits Consulting


GROWER

Robert and Joan Campbell


CULTIVATOR

Boraie Development

EAB Insurance Group

Franklin Mutual Insurance Company

Magyar Bank

NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co.

Alma Scott


PLANTER

Carole J. Banfield

Benjamin and Christine Bucca

Christine & Katherine Carley

DLR Group

The Green Jade Group at Morgan Stanley

I.B.E.W. Local Union 456

Anthony and Jaclyn Stone

Turner Construction Company

BID NOW IN OUR SILENT AUCTION

Silent Auction

All proceeds help provide education and community engagement programs for children, families, and underserved residents, and support the continued excellence of our world-class mainstage performances.   

Bid Now

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