SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2008

"This place is phenomenal… I sat with the children backstage [during rehearsal this afternoon]. Thank heavens that we have a wonderful place like this beautiful venue to be able to have the children come and to be able to express themselves. They found their calling, they found their passion. As I sat there and watched the faces—just the joy and the happiness--it was just like watching Michael in Beijing. Because they found their love."

- Debbie Phelps, Principal – Windsor Mill Middle School, Baltimore, MD and mother of Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps

You can see the "Red Carpet" video short about the Understanding Hearts: Celebrating Teachers and Other Heroes Gala; it is also available on the CNN Headlines channel of COMCAST.

The Understanding Hearts Gala touched the hearts and minds of almost 400 Imagination Stage supporters and friends, who enjoyed a performance of students and professionals that included memorable video moments from the region's political and business communities, with luminaries such as Honorary Chair Chris Van Hollen, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jerry Weast telling stories about the teachers and heroes in their own lives. The program was kicked off with a funny and heartfelt welcome from writer and satirist Mo Rocca, an Imagination Stage alumnus and new member of the Board of Trustees.

LEFT: Debbie Phelps and Rep. Chris Van Hollen RIGHT: Maria-Luisa Rocca, Mo Rocca, Susan Lacz (Board of Trustees)

It's impossible to choose only one highlight of the evening, but for many people it might be the opportunity to hear from Imagination Award recipient Debbie Phelps. A 30-year veteran of Baltimore-area public schools as a teacher, administrator and principal, she is an experienced educator who spoke profoundly about her dedication not only to her own children but to the "624 stars" who are her students at Windsor Mill and her passion for discovering what will empower them and give joy and focus to their lives. She was instantly embraced by the 44 children who performed for the gala onstage, and in impromptu skits and speeches for Ms. Phelps backstage before the performance. The audience welcomed her just as warmly and gave her a standing ovation, applauding her fight to bring different and effective ways of learning to all the children who have touched her life. Click here for a video of Debbie Phelps’ speech, accepting the Imagination Award.

LEFT: Debbie Phelps and the cast RIGHT: Ms. Phelps backstage with Imagination Stage students

Students from Imagination Stage's education programs, including the Deaf Access Company, the I.S. Dance Ensemble, the Arts Access Company, the Summer 2008 Arts Express Camp, the 2007-2008 Speak-Out On Stage, Jr. Company, Early Childhood classes, the Musical Theatre Conservatory and Imagination Quest took the stage to present poems and songs about teachers and heroes. The professional company presented an excerpt from Miss Nelson is Missing!, which will be in performance during the holiday season. And, because more is always better for our gala, there was also a bountiful Silent Auction and a wonderful reception which featured interactive entertainment inspired by the upcoming plays of the 2008-2009 season.

We were honored by the attendance of Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, State Delegates Bill Bronrott, William Frick, Susan Lee and Melony Griffith. We were very pleased to welcome Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, County Council members Roger Berliner, George Leventhal and Don Praisner; Board of Education member Shirley Brandman; and former elected officials Connie Morella and Ida Ruben.

LEFT: Imagination Stage students Kit Fleming, Helen Khuri, Margaret Jones RIGHT: Imagination Stage student Elijah Lawrence

Many thanks to Gala Chairs Patrice and Scott Brickman and Marla and Robert Tanenbaum; Silent Auction Chairs Amber Hsu and Shari Kapelina; and to our major sponsors – COMCAST; The Floyd E. Davis Foundation; Ridgewells Caterer; The Blair Family; Joe Bohm and George Fritz and Horizon Builders; Patrice and Scott Brickman; Raul and Jean-Marie Fernandez; The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation/Tanenbaum, Cohen, Lerner Families; and Martin-Schaffer, Inc.– for their support of the Gala. For a full list of sponsors and donors, click here.

We hope to see you at our 30th anniversary Gala next year! Contact Alyson Brokenshire at 301-280-1628 or abrokenshire@imaginationstage.org for information on how to be a sponsor, serve on the Gala Committee or contribute to the Silent Auction.

Understanding Hearts: Celebrating Teachers and Other Heroes
Gala Committee

Honorary Chair
The Honorable Chris Van Hollen
US House of Representatives

Gala Chairs
Patrice and Scott Brickman
Marla and Robert Tanenbaum

Silent Auction Chairs
Amber Hsu*
Shari Kapelina

Committee Members

Jim and Mai Abdo
Peter Abrahams
Sally and Paul Amoruso
Ethan Assal
Marilyn Bagel
Lisa and Rollin M. Bell, III
Tracy and Adam Bernstein
David T. Blair
Joe Bohm and George Fritz
Susan and Bryan Brewer
Brenda Brody
Alan and Nancy Taylor Bubes
Kristin and Eric Burka
Andi Cleary
Maureen and Tom Curley
Karen and Chris Donatelli
Darian Drescher
Mark Ein
Raul and Jean-Marie Fernandez
Marie and Sean Frazier
Theo and Stephen A. Hayes*
Claudia and Tim Helmig
Lisa and John Henschel
Susan and Wayne Hunley
Ann and Richard Kane
Susan Lacz
Wendy and Tim Landres
Steve and Robyn Lustig
Carrie and David Marriott
Tina Martin and Mita Schaffer
Anne and LeRoy Pingho
Celeste and Mark Richardson
Margo and Michael Sadow
Jennifer and Jim Signora

*2007 Gala Co-Chairs

Understanding Hearts: Celebrating Teachers and Other Heroes
Corporate Sponsors

American Service Center
Art & Negative
COMCAST
DC Magazine
EagleBank
Embassy of Switzerland
Exquisite Designs
FBR Capital Markets Corporation
Forrester Construction Company
Heyman Mailing Services, Inc.
Highline Wealth Management
Horizon Builders
Kastle Systems
M&T Bank
Martin-Schaffer, Inc.
Office Movers, Inc.
PEPCO
PNC Bank
Ridgewells Caterer
Syzygy Event Productions
The Bernstein Companies
Total Wine & More
Transwestern
Unipark Valet and Parking Services
United Bank
Walker & Dunlop

Link to our pre-Gala webpage