Testimonial #8: Theresa Salerno

December 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you to become who you are today?

The arts, to me, growing up was my savior. Being able to perform and take myself out of my world to be in another was life saving to me. I enjoyed so much all of my school musicals. I also enjoyed the flute, marching at Hofstra with my sax, and my weekly piano lessons. I truly feel without my music and performing I would have never made it. As you read along your notes on a page you are instantly into the magic of the arts.

I also feel that music will heal you. To this day, I am thankful that I was able to enjoy and appreciate the gift of music .With this blog you can make a difference and leave your foot print on this earth to let people know that there is hope. Many kids today don’t have an out. Music and performing must go on!!!! Maybe it will help them to escape from the real world for a little and have fun exploring another.

Filed Under: Arts Advocacy, Testimonials, The First 100 Stories Tagged With: , ,

Still Advocating for Arts

December 12, 2011 by 4 Comments
Still Advocating for Arts
by Lisa Mancuso.
Northport Observer.
December 12, 2011.

Dr. Frances McGarry taught English and theater in the Northport‑East Northport school district for more than 25 years and loved every minute of it. She loved helping her students discover their hidden talents, cultivate their creativity and instill in them a love of the arts.

During her long, successful career in the district, Dr. McGarry, 60, taught such courses as Playwriting and Literature Appreciation. She created theater programs for her junior high school students and eventually brought the programs to the high school: Theatreworks Troupe for 11th and 12th graders and Theatreworks for students in grades 9‑12.

“I was born and raised inNorthport, my son went to Northport schools and my husband, also a retiredNorthport teacher, was born and raised here,” said Dr. McGarry. “I had amazingteachers at Northport. They were truly my inspiration.” Dr. McGarry said shewas a shy girl, but an English teacher encouraged her to try acting and afterplaying a Holocaust survivor in a classroom improvisation and receivingapplause for her efforts, she was hooked. “I was always grateful to my teachersand always wanted to come back to Northport to teach,” she said.
But teaching wasn’t the 5’2”Northport native’s only focus. Along the way, she earned her doctorate ineducational theater at NYU, directed and acted in plays, did voice‑over workand taught as an adjunct and visiting professor in a number of collegesincluding NYU, Nassau Community College and Brooklyn College.
In 2005, Dr. McGarry decidedto retire. It was time to move on, she told herself. Although sad to leavebehind her students, Dr. McGarry was excited to begin a new chapter of herlife. She knew she wanted to remain active in the arts so she decided to pursuea career with not‑for‑profit arts organizations. She landed her dream ob as aneducation director but after four years, the position was eliminated due tobudget cuts.
Losing that positionconvinced Dr. McGarry even more that the arts in schools was in danger and isoften perceived as a luxury and not a necessity especially in these tougheconomic times. Never one to remain inactive for too long, Dr. McGarry decidedto fight back. She turned her energy and efforts to create a website whosemission is to advocate for the arts not only in the classroom, but in the homeand in the world.
After working on it for a fewmonths, Dr. McGarry launched her website, http://www.francesmcgarry.com and she isexcited for what she hopes to accomplish through her new venture. The site isfilled with information and resources pertaining to the arts and includes alink to Dr. McGarry’s latest project, her blog ‘First on Line with Fran’ whereshe asks people to “. . . join me in discussions on how ordinary people aredoing extraordinary things in The Arts to make our world a richer, deeper,better place to live.” Dr. McGarry is hopeful the blog may turn into atelevision talk show in the near future. She has also started ‘The First 100Stories Campaign’ on her website and here you can tell Dr. McGarry your ownstory about how the arts have impacted your life. (Check out the testimonialfrom one of Dr. McGarry’s former pupils, actress and Northport native EdieFalco.)
Although maintaining herwebsite is nearly a full‑time job, Dr. McGarry is also continuing to pursue heracting career and will soon begin a film project “Ava’s Short” in January. Sheis also currently appearing on stage in New York City this weekend in a production of At the Topof Our Lungs: An Uncensored Collection of Scenes, Songs & Monologues at theTriad Theater, 158 W. 72nd Street.For tickets to the upcoming show and more information, visit Dr. McGarry’swebsite.
Filed Under: Arts Advocacy, Educational Theater, First Online with Fran, Publications Tagged With: , , , ,

At the Top of Our Lungs Opens This Week!

December 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment
In case you haven’t heard, there are fourteen fabulous women shouting, “At The Top of Our Lungs! opens this week.” It’s sassy, it’s smart, it’s good for the soul.  Support our mission to raise money and revitalize the spirit of local organizations that empower under-served women & girls.
Thursday, December 8 at 7 PM 
Saturday, December 10 at 9:30

Sunday, December 11 at 3 PM

Click here for more info and to buy tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/209106


Filed Under: Arts Advocacy Tagged With: , , , ,

viBe Benefit Performance

December 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

“At the Top of Our Lungs”
ogues
Directed by
viBe Board Andrea Bertola
Assistant Directed by Lauren Balaban
girls.

At The Top of Our Lungs is a lively production aimed attackling stereotypes that women confront. It’s hysterical and heartwarming,sassy and uplifting. This show is an eclectic mix featuring pop songs, Broadwayfavorites, spoken word poetry, monologues, burlesque and more! Grab a tablewith friends, enjoy some cocktails and be entertained by this insanely talentedcast.

FEATURING!!!

Christine Marie Evans…Courtney Nolan Smith…JustineBeirne…Jena Ellenwood…Dana Fortunato…Michelle Wilson…JessicaEdwards…Sue Dubrovich…Frances McGarry…Cindy Keenan…LindsayBracco…Jessica Stewart…Dee Dee Katchen…Jillian Hassett

PerformDat……es:

December
at Triad Theater
158 W. 72nd St. 2nd Floor
Click here for more info and to buy $15-20 tickets:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/209106
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