WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Cappelli Enterprises. February 14, 2007 (EDITED): The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) today announced a one million dollar fund-raising campaign that is designed to assist the not-for-profit theater in the creation and presentation of additional programming to serve the White Plains community.
Kathy Davisson, left, and The Super Developer, Louis Cappelli, shown on Opening Night of the White Plains Performing Arts Center, November, 2003. The Super Developer is jump-starting a new start for the troubled Arts Center which is only staging two general interest entertainments this spring and is supporting a very limited schedule with children’s productions this spring. It is Mr. Cappelli’s second major gift to WPPAC in a year. His $100,000 Gift helped bail the theatre out of a $300,000 deficit last year brought about by massive losses on the venture, Saving Aimee. Photo, WPCNR News Archive
In launching the campaign, the WPPAC announced a $250,000 pledge from Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., the Valhalla-based real estate development company that built the theater for the City of White Plains in 2003, as part of City Center at White Plains. The first of the five monthly installments of $50,000 that comprise the Cappelli grant was received by the WPPAC in mid-January.
“The contribution from the Cappelli organization will help jumpstart our fund-raising activities, and we are very grateful for the company’s continued support,” said John J. Ioris, President of the Board of Trustees of the WPPAC and a White Plains resident. “The funds will allow us to add the staff necessary to take the organization to the next level in its program development.”
Mr. Ioris continued, “It is my hope that our board members will take this pledge of support from Cappelli Enterprises as encouragement to help rally other members of the business community in assisting with the future of the WPPAC. Together, we hope to make our Center a more integral part of the growing and culturally diverse White Plains community.”
Bruce Berg, Executive Vice President of Cappelli Enterprises, said, “On behalf of Louis R. Cappelli and the company, we are pleased to support The White Plains Performing Arts Center. We believe that the theater is poised to become the cultural centerpiece of White Plains. The influx of luxury development in the downtown – including our own current project, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester and The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester hotel – necessitates that there be an outstanding performing arts center. An integral part of the audience is here in the condominiums and rental apartments that surround City Center. They are interested and excited by the prospect of more live theater. The demand will only increase when the hotel opens, residents move into The Ritz, and other developments that are planned for the area are built.”
Kathy Davisson, the WPPAC’s General Manager, stated, “The organization’s mission is to be a leader in the production and presentation of first-class cultural entertainment, and to provide outstanding education and outreach programs in a state-of-the-art facility. It is our goal to bring quality, inclusive, live theatre to our community, and to make a difference, while highlighting the diversity of cultures and ethnicities. Our support of family oriented programming will assist young people with their cultural and intellectual growth process by exposing them to the best family theatre and events.
The White Plains Performing Arts Center, Inc. is a professional, not-for-profit, producing and presenting company that continues to bring innovative, eclectic and always-entertaining new plays and musicals to its beautiful new facility. The theater, a 410-seat, $6 million facility, also hosts local, national and international performing artists whose work reflects Westchester’s diverse population.
Created in 2003, the WPPAC, a 501 (c)(3) corporation, has a 10-year contract to operate the theater, which is owned by the City of White Plains within the City Center complex. The WPPAC’s operations are supported by ticket sales, individual and corporate contributions, grants from foundations both public and private, and generous support from the City of White Plains.
If you are interested in contributing to the fund-raising efforts or wish to make a donation to the WPPAC, please contact Kathleen Davisson at (914) 328-1600.
Cappelli Enterprises Inc. is a leading real estate developer and general contractor in the Northeast. Headquartered in Valhalla, NY, the company has built more than 10 million square feet of mixed use, retail, waterfront, residential, office building, laboratory and parking facilities.
