With respect to New Paradigm Theatre’s NEA Funding:
New Paradigm Theatre’s Annual Gala Takes on New Urgency Amid Funding Changes
May 4, 2025 – New Paradigm Theatre (NPT) is gearing up for its annual fundraising gala with an increased sense of purpose this year.
Recently awarded its second National Endowment for the Arts Grant, NPT received unsettling news on May 2nd: the funding recommendation for their project has been withdrawn, leaving them in need of an additional $10,000 to support their students and the production of Hairspray.
This year’s gala, themed as a “Live Taping of the Corny Collins Show,” offers a unique twist. Attendees will become the “studio audience” and engage in live interviews hosted by the iconic character Corny Collins, featuring special guests Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the talented composers behind Hairspray and the new Broadway musical Smash.
Audience members can also look forward to exciting performances from the cast of Hairspray, with an array of entertainment in store.
“We knew this might happen,” said Kristin Huffman, Broadway veteran and NPT Artistic Director. “Our mission is centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community engagement. While we address pressing social issues that affect our students, this funding loss is a gut punch. Our production costs exceed $62,000, and this gala is our main fundraising event. We hope our supporters and newcomers to NPT will recognize the importance of our work and join us for an enjoyable evening.”
NPT’s commitment to community extends beyond the gala. Each summer, the theatre partners with a nonprofit organization that aligns with the themes of its summer production. For this season’s *Hairspray*, NPT is privileged to partner with The Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum, promoting awareness of the important narratives represented in the show. “Hairspray depicts an era of identity, defiance, social creativity, and a strong desire for change,” said Jeffrey Fletcher, Executive Director of the museum.
In addition, NPT has trained its youth board of directors to discuss the themes of *Hairspray* and inclusion through school programs and Talk-Backs following performances from August 8-10.
Tickets are available for purchase at: https://npt.ludus.com/
Donations can be received at : https://nptheatre.org/donate/
New Paradigm Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social responsibility and nurturing creative problem solvers, leaders, and engaged global citizens through theatre arts education and productions.
If you are out of state, you can watch us streaming the event and donate “Telethon” style! Join us in making a difference!
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For more information, please visit our website: [www.nptheatre.org]
If you would like to stand with New Paradigm, please consider making a donation here.
NEWS & EVENTS
BROADWAY WORLD: NPT chooses The Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum for“Hairspray”
Hosting Hairspray
HAIRSPRAY REGISTRATION
View images from the 2024 Holiday Show
Meet the Teachers of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
View images from Grease
NPT Receives $20,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts
“New Paradigm Theatre [NPT] recently received a $20,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and $10,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to support its summer educational and production programming ….
Grants such as this, as well as individual donations received at NPT’s recent Gala, which honored Carole Demas (original Broadway “Sandy” in Grease, and Carole in “The Magic Garden”), are essential to NPT’s efforts to provide outstanding experiences to youth and adults in our community.
“This grant will help us provide salaries for professional directors, designers, teachers and actors, all of whom work diligently with our youth. In addition to this grant, all of the donors who came to our Gala on May 5th have added to our ability to accomplish our unique mission. While we love putting on a great show, we really love teaching young people how to use what they learn through the arts to become outstanding leaders,” says Kristin Huffman, NPT’s Artistic Director.”
WATCH: NPT Founder Kristin Huffman Interviewed on Broadwayworld.com [time stamp 14:00]
The Full Story; NPT’s Interview with NPR (WSHU) [time stamp 15:46]
THEATRE
We are New Paradigm Theatre Co., a professional nonprofit theatre mobilizing the power of performance art to reach beyond one community, town, city, and county.
PROJECTS
We’ve established ourselves in our local community through theatre productions, master classes, and mentor programs.
PRESS
Our performers get exposure to media and press, so they’re ready for public speaking and press in their career, or to get experience to make it their career!
Thank you to these organizations for the generous grant support!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
