Dear Friends,

In a year when everything changed, change at Rehearsal for Life was no exception. Our organizational structure shifted; our programming continues to adapt; and we gather for a Banned in Boston unlike any other.

Last spring, our Urban Improv program pivoted to virtual delivery, expanding our ensemble’s vision and practicing new ways to tell our stories and hear our students. In reflection of the year’s particular circumstances, our ensemble crafted new curricula to reflect student experiences and explore such topics as racism, gender identity, isolation, diverse abilities, anxiety, loss and grief.

In the midst of these changes, we have celebrated certain constants.

What has remained the same is our shared devotion to our students’ wellbeing; our belief in theater as a means to promote and achieve social justice; and our commitment to the ideal of universal access to high-quality, drama-based social and emotional learning programs. By activating this process, we not only imagine a just and equitable future, but are working, every day, to make that future a reality for all young people.

For 25 years, we have come together as a community through Banned in Boston to celebrate our students, our mission, our ideals and each other. We laugh together; we stumble over lines together; and, with full hearts, we sing together, “There’s no Boston like our Boston!”

We have FUN together! At the heart of our organization is a sense of joy — of play — of on-the-spot critical thinking and action.

In a year of “no” — a year that required the utmost spontaneity and flexibility — we said “YES” to our work, our community, and our joy. Against all odds, we bring you this special event tonight.

Thank you for taking part in Banned in Boston’s Silver Anniversary, our second Banned on the virtual stage, and our first-ever “Zoom musical.” Thank you for your support of the young people of Boston and the future we are building together. Thank you for saying “YES.”

On behalf of our students, our troupe, our staff, our volunteers and our supporters, enjoy the show!

James Benenson, Chair of the Board of Rehearsal for LifeElena Velasco, Executive & Artistic Director

Rehearsal for Life, Inc 670 Centre Street, Suite 8 | Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

617-524-7045 | rehearsalforlife.org

Rehearsal for Life’s mission is to strengthen young people’s social and emotional skills for every stage in life, through

dialogue, creativity and performance.

How to WatchBefore April 1st:

Register for the event with your cell phone number atevent.gives/bannedinboston.

On Thursday, April 1st:Log in to event.gives/bannedinboston

5-10 minutes in advance of 7pm showtime.

Banned in Boston: A World-Premiere Zoom Musical“Make It a Musical”

Rehearsal for Life’s Board of Directors

“Take A Chance On Me”Boston’s Best & Brightest

“Gospel”Urban Improv Ensemble

“Tribute”Faith Soloway & Chorus

“Finale”Full Company

Banned in Booze-ton: OUR SIGNATURE COCKTAIL RECIPE FROM BULLY BOY DISTILLERS

2 oz. vodka 2 strawberries 2 basil leaves 3/4 oz. lemon juice 3/4 oz. simple syrup

Muddle strawberries and basil leaves in bottom of glass or shaker tin. Add remianing ingredients and shake with ice.

FOr Tonight’s ShowHonorary ProducersKippy Dewey & Narcissa CampionLisa Schmid Alvord

Book, Music & LyricsFaith Soloway

ProducersIan BrownellFaith SolowayKristen ShermanElena Velasco

Director Ian Brownell

Music Director Faith Soloway

Music Producers Capital B & Cooper Evello

Video Editor & Special FX Mike Kligerman

Production Advisor Francie Karlen

Contributing Writers Sebastian Stuart & Urban Improv ensemble

Youth Mentor & Co-Stage Manager Jamie Ullrich

Digital Marketing & Co-Stage Manager Emily Duggan

Event Partners Corinthian Events & Event.Gives

Data Manager & Props Lisa McColgan

CastJames DiSabatino

Owner/Founder, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese

Marlo FogelmanCEO & Founder, marlo marketing

Maura HealeyMassachusetts Attorney General

Diane HessanCEO, Salient Ventures

David HowseVice President, Emerson College

Office of the Arts

Rosabeth KanterProfessor of Business Administration,

Harvard Business School

Sam KennedyPresident & CEO, Boston Red Sox

Shirley LeungColumnist & Associate Editor,

The Boston Globe

Harry McEnernyActor

Jim McGovernUS Congressman

Amina Michel-LordEducator, 3rd & 4th Grade Team,

Mission Hill School

Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBAPresident & CEO, DentaQuest

Faith SolowayHead Writer, Transparent

Stephen ColbertHost, The Late Showwith Stephen Colbert

Mohamad AliCEO, International Data Group

The Honorable Charlie BakerGovernor of Commonwealth of MA

Michael BobbittExecutive Director,

Massachusetts Cultural Council

Jared BowenArts Editor & Host, WGBH’s Open Studio

Jim BraudeCo-Host, WGBH’s Boston Public Radio

Brad BrownOwner, Blue Frog Bakery

Mary CallananActor, Singer, & Cabaret Performer

Andrea CampbellBoston City Council

Sonia Chang-DíazMA State Senator

Gerald ChertavianFounder & CEO, Year Up

Steve ConineCo-Chairman, Wayfair

Cast ContinuedKevin Tabb, MDPresident & CEO,

Beth Israel Lahey HealthSally Taylor

Musician & Artist

Jimmy TingleEntertainer & Comedian

Corey ThomasPresident & CEO, Rapid7

Dave WillisCo-Founder, Bully Boy Distillery

Will WillisCo-Founder, Bully Boy Distillery

Jen ZiskinCo-Owner,

La Morra/Heritage of Sherborn

Josh ZiskinCo-Owner & Executive Chef,

La Morra/Heritage of Sherborn

JC MonahanNews Anchor, NBC Boston

Steve PeljovichOwner, Michael’s Deli

Robert RiversChairman & CEO, Eastern Bank

Valerie R. RobersonPresident,

Roxbury Community College

Emily RooneyHost, WGBH’s Beat the Press

Kathy St. GeorgeActress

Shayna SeymourCo-Host, WCVB-TV’s Chronicle

Stephen ShermanExecutive Chef, Scarlet Oak Tavern

Urban Improv EnsembleIJ Chan

Cooper EvelloJackson JirardCamilo LinaresKevin MadisonMerle Perkins

Holly TarnowerDir. Elena Velasco

Board of DirectorsJames Benenson, Chair

Lisa Schmid Alvord, Co-Vice-ChairGeorge Bennett, Co-Vice-ChairLevin H. Campbell, Jr., Treasurer

Katie Kulikoski, ClerkNarcissa Campion

Lisa CaseTed Clark

Kippy DeweyRon Druker

Kendrick Terrell EvansAnn Hall

Francie KarlenSkye Morrison Kramer

Shaunda LewisYujing Li

Kristina Hare LyonsThalia McMillionTom O’RourkeLisa PierpontFaith Soloway

Elena Velasco, Ex Officio

Co-ChairsFiona & James Benenson

Lena & Brent BercLisa Pierpont & Brant Binder

Robin & Ted ClarkSandra & Paul Edgerley

Francie & Jon KarlenKristina & Patrick Lyons

HostsChristina & David Lavallee

Yujing LiFarrell & Tom O’Rourke

Ellen & Adam RizikaJulie & Jeff Stuecken

Lisa & Patrick TaffeMadelyn & Jon Terbell

Cast ContinuedA Salute to Kippy & CissaNo matter the chairs, committee, cast, sponsors, restaurants or locations — these founding producers (with producer #3, Lisa Alvord) have helped cement Banned in Boston in the local social scene for 25 years, raising millions of dollars in support of Urban Improv. This fundraising event and community-building experience like no other has, in turn, established Urban Improv as one of the most sought-after creative youth development programs for thousands of young people in the Boston Public Schools and beyond.

Innumerable Boston chefs and restaurateurs have been the anchors of merriment, food and fun for Banneds past. No matter from where you are watching, you can support our local eateries during a year of extreme challenges. Our media partner The Boston Globe has created #ProjectTakeout to support their survival during this critical time. Let’s embrace our civic duty and help our community of restaurants weather the pandemic. Let’s Order Take Out!

Cheers to the People Who Got Us Here

2021 SponsorsBENEFACTORS ANGELS

PRODUCERS MEDIA

INSTITUTIONAL

ANGELSLena & Brent Berc

Brookline BankLevin Campbell, Jr.

Lisa & Jeff CaseEastern Bank

Julie & Ron Druker / The Druker CompanySarah & Paul EdgerleyTerry & Tom HamiltonFrancie & Jon Karlen

Anne Kubik & Mike Krupka

DIRECTORSSusan & Paisley Boney

Kate & Tom GilbaneLeila & Herbert HooperKrista & Roger Scoville

David V.N. TaylorKate & Ben Taylor

Kendra & Peter Wilde

STARSLisa Schmid Alvord & Joel Alvord

Mimi & George BennettAlexi & Steve Conine / Wayfair

Ann & John HallCarl J. Martignetti

PRODUCERSDorothy Pizzella & Charles Baker, III

Eileen & Jack ConnorsWendy & Gordon Cromwell

FourBridge PartnersHilary Maddox

Kathy & Joe O’DonnellWendy Goldstein Pierce PR

Cori & Charlie RingSCS Financial

Lisa & Patrick TaffeCandy & Jay Walton

2021 Sponsors ContinuedARCHANGELS

Fiona & James BenensonRobin & Ted Clark

Cat & John BrownsteinEllen Epstein & Ian Brownell

Nancy Donahoe & Jon CohenPeggy Reiser & Charles CooneyNancy Brown & Sandy Gadsby

Sandy & Dozier GardnerBrett & Abby Gordon

Leila & Herbert HooperHeidi Hughey

Lisa LewisLouise Riemer

Ellen & Adam RizikaBarbara Roche

Kathleen & Ross SherbrookeJulie & Jeff Stuecken

Alexis & Laurence WintersteenFred Wright

Blair & Jack Wylie

PLAYERS

Our ProgramsTHE URBAN IMPROV METHOD: HOW & WHY IT WORKS

Teaching artists create realistic scenes, and, at a pivotal moment, the facilitator calls “Freeze!” Students are then invited to jump into the scene and use their minds, bodies and creativity to resolve the conflict, experiencing the consequences of their choices firsthand.

Urban Improv Rehearsal for Life’s flagship program, serving over 1,100 4th-8th grade students each year at our Boston partner schools.

Youth Unscripted Our high-school youth empowerment program builds teen leaders through the exploration of social issues and a culminating performance on March 26, 2021.

Re: Action Assemblies Interactive assemblies jumpstart dialogue on challenging topics.

Freelance Players Afterschool theater fosters imagination, self-expression, empathy and community through the creation and performance of original musical theater.

SPRING 2021 PRODUCTIONS:Write Something, May 8 @ 6:00pmTumbleweeds, May 14 @ 6:00pm

America’s Next Top Monster, May 15 @ 6:00pmBuzz On, May 21 @ 6:30pmHamletta, May 22 @ 6:00pm

The Sacred Secret, June 4 @ 6:00pm

Special Thanks ToBully Boy Distillers

Urban Improv Filmographer Jeyjey RomanYujing Li

Want to get more involved?Contact info@rehearsalforlife.org or (617) 524-7045.

Follow our socials!@RFLBoston@RehearsalForLife

@RFLBoston/RehearsalForLife

Gemma

Something I liked, was that they were all really open and fun.

Luis

I liked thatthe people of urban improv took today to get to know all of the students and all of them are extremely nice. I also like that they were taking time for all of us to get to know.

Ryan

Something I liked about Urban Improv is very cool and the people in it are very nice and care about students.

Emmett

One thing that I learned about urban improv is tha they arent trying to try super hard to connect with us like they dont lie about what they do to just like us and for us to like them u know whayt im sayin.

Molly

I liked how enthusiastic they were.

Annalise

I really liked it it was fun. It makes me feel happy they seem very exepting and happy they care about what we have to say and deep things we care about/have.

Fifth-grade newcomers to Urban Improv share excitement for their very first workshop session, spring 2021:

#ProjectTakeoutOrdering directly from your favorite spot doesn’t just mean a great meal—it means helping struggling restaurants and their workers.

For more tips on how to help go to Globe.com/projecttakeout