Power of Connection: ImpACT Event Recap

On September 17, 2020, more than 50 First Stage advocates and guests tuned into First Stage’s eighth annual (and first ever virtual) ImpACT Event. Sheri Williams Pannell, the host of our event, led guests through a 60-minute program, in which they heard updates from First Stage’s leadership and program staff, a keynote address from Jill Wiench, Child Life Specialist from Children’s Wisconsin, inspiring performances by our students and alumni, and learned about our HOPE Fund.

Artistic Director, Jeff Frank candidly shared how First Stage has been significantly challenged by the COVID-19 crisis. With grit and ingenuity, our staff was quick on their feet, listened intently, and made prudent and effective decisions. Since March, First Stage has regrouped for virtual and small group in-person Theater Academy programming—which included delivering in-person programming outside at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee Fratney site this past summer—and our artistic team found projects to help First Stage stay connected to our audiences.

Sheri Williams Pannell, First Stage Artistic Associate

 

“Our challenge over the last six months and into the coming season is how we keep that connection—or rather—how do we make it stronger than ever.” – Jeff Frank

 

First Stage also shared our reaffirmed commitment to antiracism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) competencies within our organization, Theater Productions, and Programming. EDI Committee Chair, Samantha Montgomery, shared an update on First Stage’s progress.

 

“Our EDI team has been meeting weekly throughout the summer and we have been working relentlessly to develop our EDI plan. Once our plan is completed, we will share our new direction with you. Our EDI plan is a proactive living document that will be revisited quarterly by our EDI committee. We are dedicated to making the necessary changes that are needed to bring reconciliation and healing to our arts community.” –Samantha Montgomery

 

Guests heard more about the importance of connection from keynote speaker, Jill Wiench, a Child Life Specialist from Children’s Wisconsin—First Stage’s virtual season sponsor.

Jill has been a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for over 22 years. As a CCLS, Jill works with children and their families to confront and cope with a wide variety of potentially stressful and/or traumatic events due to a healthcare related diagnosis. These experiences can lead to feelings of fear, confusion, loss of control and isolation that can inhibit their development and have negative effects on their physical and emotional health and well-being.

Jill Wiench, Certified Child Life Specialist 

 

“According to research, loneliness is on the rise and our social connections seem to be falling by the wayside, but connections are so much more important than one would think. It is vital that we do not completely disconnect with one another during this time of social distancing. We need to make sure that children and teens (and ourselves) are still able to make connections with peers in a safe manner during this pandemic.” – Jill Wiench

Providing meaningful ways to connect has always been and continues to be at the heart of First Stage’s mission. Hearing from First Stage alumni was among several meaningful moments of the ImpACT Event. Each alumni spoke of their journeys beyond First Stage and how it was positively impacted from the training they received from First Stage. Interestingly, not all of their journeys traveled in the direction of theater. Their journeys ranged from being an engineering doctoral fellow researching human-robot interaction, to co-authoring a New York best seller called “Killer Chef.”

 

Many alumni spoke of the First Stage teaching artists who encouraged their development of life skills through stage skills—skills that they continue to use to this day. To support the talented staff who make this kind of impact possible, as well as endure the financial effects related to COVID-19, First Stage created a special relief initiative called the HOPE Fund. This fund was unveiled it at the ImpACT Event.

If you missed our annual ImpACT Event this year, the archived recording can be viewed here.