From the Producer...

A Special 20th Anniversary Issue

November 11, 2005

Dear Friends of the Theatre Patron:

Twenty years ago, seven children sat in my living room as we began work on a new musical called “Really Rosie.” This was the very first show of a newly developed group called “The High Bridge Children’s Workshop.” Now those “children” are almost 30 years old and are doctors, teachers and other professionals! Some are even parents themselves! As you well know, the group is now called “ShowKids Invitational Theatre.” But did you know that SKIT has done to date over 50 productions, has been nominated for 76 Perry Awards and currently works with over 125 children plus has always had a waiting list of children wanting to join? A lot has happened in twenty years!

Your support has made all of this possible! Your support has also helped us to achieve the honor of being given the “Outstanding Community Theatre” Award in 2001. It has helped us to achieve awards for “Outstanding Direction of a Musical, “Outstanding Costumes” and “Outstanding Choreography” in addition to many others! These awards were given to us in competition with over fifty adult community theaters and 252 productions! The generous contributions of our patrons have helped us to develop the professional quality that has inspired the honors bestowed upon us! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support!

Theater continues to be more important than ever for all of us, especially for our children. Sir Peter Hall, Director of the Royal National theatre, said of theater, “Theatre is a bonding experience at any time, but it is extraordinarily greater at this moment People want theatre, opera, and dance even more than before. It has to do with declaring that you are not alone, you’re not lost, you’re not defeated, and that you are determined to carry on.”

This past year, people once again contributed generously to our Friends of the Theatre Program. This allowed us to produce three very successful shows, “The Wizard of Oz,” “Hello Dolly!” and “Really Rosie”. The funding is greatly needed for us to continue to provide the same professional quality programs. Our finances are quite limited at this time. Therefore, if you can find it in your hearts and within your finances to donate to Friends of the Theatre this year, your help and support will be appreciated even more than usual. The funds will be used wisely to continue to bring high quality theatre to our area and to enrich the lives and uplift the spirits of both children and adults. We are striving for $20,000 in honor of our 2O year! Please help us to achieve our goal! Thank you!

Sincerely,
Carolyn B. Newman
Producer/Director

P.S. Aristotle said that theatre is a healing art. At this time in our country, we all need healing, and some more than others. And so, on Sunday, January l5 at 2pm we will be doing a special benefit performance called, “SKIT Cares.” 100% of the profits will be donated to help the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Please come and see SKIT members plus SKIT alumni from the past 20 years recreating their most memorable performances! All seats are reserved, so call now for the best seat selection (908-638-5959)! We hope you can be a part of this very special event!