New “Pasta”bilities realized with First Stage’s 11th annual Wine Tasting & Dinner

While First Stage’s 11th annual (and first virtual) Wine Tasting & Dinner looked different from years past, the goals stayed the same—to bring people together to enjoy excellent food and wine, and raise critical funds for First Stage.

Created eleven years ago by parents of First Stage students who wanted to have an event that complimented the family-friendly Make Believe Ball, the Wine Tasting & Dinner continues to keep First Stage alumni families and the community engaged and with a fun, adult-only event.

 

This year, more than 100 guests tuned into our livestreamed event on November 20, 2020 safely from home and enjoyed a unique culinary experience, exclusive wines, and an exciting program hosted by First Stage Board Member La’Ketta Caldwell, Managing Director Betsy Corry, and Artistic Director Jeff Frank. The program featured videos about the event’s food and wine, as well as inspiring testimonials and songs from some of our alumni and students.

 

Prior to the event, guests received a hand-made crate that was specially crafted by First Stage’s scene shop staff. These one-of-a-kind crates contained hand-made pasta and sauce from Chef David Magnasco’s exclusive line, Pasta da Maddalena as well as delicious wines selected by Sommelier Philip MacConnell of The Chef’s Table, and Wine Specialist Dan Grenda of Capitol-Husting.

 

Guests heard from our alumni who shared how their First Stage experiences shaped who they are today. Each one of them has gone on to accomplish great things—both in the performing arts and in other careers. Alumni ranged from a Julliard School drama student; LA-based television writer-producer; writer-producer who co-authored Killer Chef, a New York Times Best Seller; to an engineering doctoral fellow researching social, physical, human-robot interaction.

Alumni and current students also gave stunning performances during the event—which included beautiful renditions of “No One is Alone” from INTO THE WOODs and “Everything I Know” from IN THE HEIGHTS.

                     

First Stage Alumni: Joel Boyd (right) shares about his career in L.A. and
Emily, Cole and Austin (left) perform "No One is Alone."

Alumni, Emily Pogorelc, Cole Winston, and Austin Winter performed “No One is Alone.” Emily is an opera singer, currently based in Munich, Germany and working at Bayerische Staasoper. Cole is finishing up his senior year at Indiana University, where he is earning a BFA. Austin is a Chicago based designer/performer who just completed his Masters of Music in Musical Theater Pedagogy.

Current First Stage student, Abby Hanna performed “Everything I Know.” Abby has been a part of First Stage since she was 8 years old. Now a high school senior, she has been in many mainstage productions, countless Theater Academy classes, including our rigorous Young Company program and has been a vocal advocate for First Stage for many years by speaking and performing at various events for the United Performing Arts Fund.

 

The Wine Tasting & Dinner event raised nearly $70,000—enabling First Stage to continue transforming lives through theater especially during this challenging time. Guests participated in a silent auction filled with unique packages that included many libations, hand-made items from First Stage artisans, and gift certificates for massages, salons, and golfing.

 

In addition to the silent auction, First Stage raised funds for our special initiative, the HOPE Fund, created to help our organization endure the financial effects related to COVID-19 during our 2020-2021 season.

While we cannot wait to be able to gather together in-person for the Wine Tasting & Dinner event in the future, this year taught us that there are certainly other “pasta”bilities when it comes to enjoying good food and wine while continuing to support theater that transforms lives. First Stage is grateful to our dedicated and generous sponsors and guests who helped us raise critical funds during this year’s Wine Tasting & Dinner to help further our mission.

 

Thank you to our Sponsors: Boldt, N2 Advantage, Amy & Bob Arzbaecher, Caryn & Jim Esten, Lynn & Scott Molitor, Melissa & Eric Nelsen, and Donna & Joel Nettesheim.

 

Thank you to our 2020 Wine Tasting & Dinner Committee: Bob Arzbaecher, Secily Clason, Kathleen Dohearty Penniston, Tricia Landrum, David Magnasco, Melissa Nelsen, Corrie Prunuske, and Kristin Severson.

 

If you weren’t able to join us for the livestream of our event, you may view our recorded presentation.