The Broward Performing Arts Foundation officially kicked off the 2022/2023 performance season with its Annual Reception in October. The event, which featured a cameo performance from the Broadway show, SIX, scored a ten among the guests who were celebrating their return to the theater.
From the balcony overlooking the Waste Management Lobby, Jasmine Forsberg, who played Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour, captivated all in attendance with her mesmerizing vocal range as she performed two songs from the award-winning musical which opened the following night at the Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater.
Foundation Board members: Robert Lochrie, Ann Burris, George LeMieux, Lisa Kitei, Dev Motwani
Welcoming guests, Lisa Kitei, president of the Foundation, noted that it had been three years since the last Annual Meeting was held at the Broward Center, and she credited the Foundation’s supporters for helping to secure the Center during that time. “Thanks to our donors and sponsors, we have achieved the goals set for us – especially over the last three years. We have positioned the Broward Center for growth.” Introducing the Foundation board chair, Senator George LeMieux, she thanked him for his advocacy role in securing significant government funding for the Broward Center and other hard-hit arts organizations under the federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.
LeMieux spoke of the important impact that the Broward Center had on the South Florida community, citing its annual activity of 700 events for 700,000 visitors, and more than 100,000 students. “The role of the Foundation is to keep this level of activity going – to support the programs and ensure the future of the Broward Center. Thanks to everyone here, we are succeeding,” he said.
Robert Lochrie, Chris Welch, Kurt Zimmerman, Patty Zimmerman, Brooke Lochrie
Before introducing Jasmine Forsberg, Broward Center President & CEO Kelley Shanley spoke to the impact of the Broward Center and shared some of the highlights of the coming season. “We are delighted to see audiences filling the theaters, guests enjoying Marti’s Bistro, education programs at full capacity, and an exciting calendar of performances at all of our venues,” he said. And to underscore the point, he presented a list of coming attractions that read like a “who’s who” of the entertainment world.
For more than 30 years, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations. Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities and capital projects. In 2019, the Foundation completed a $30 million capital campaign to renovate and restore the iconic Parker Playhouse. Prior to that, it raised $60 million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew and revitalize the Broward Center.
Soneet Kapila, Prabodh Kapila, Nancy Bryant, Jerry Taylor
For more information about the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, call 954-468-3284 or email Foundation@BrowardCenter.org.
About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.
