Senate Resolution No. 2646

BY: Senator REICHLIN-MELNICK

CELEBRATING the 75th Anniversary of Elmwood
Community Playhouse, Inc. on June 11, 2022

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and
entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and
cultural enrichment of their communities and the great State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Elmwood Community Playhouse, Inc., on
Saturday, June 11, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Located in Nyack, New York, Elmwood Community Playhouse has
provided the mid-Hudson Valley with high-quality theater for 75 years;
and

WHEREAS, In 1947, a group of theater-makers performed in several
locations in Rockland County; 11 years later, they purchased St. Paul's
Lutheran Church, built in 1892, on Park Street in Nyack, and in 1961,
Elmwood Community Playhouse, Inc., was officially registered as a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization, named after the "Elmwood" phone
exchange in downtown Nyack; and

WHEREAS, The performances at Elmwood Community Playhouse are
thoroughly professional in every aspect except one: the performers all
donate freely of their time solely out of love and a commitment to
excellence; despite the stereotype, they proudly embrace the community
aspect of the theater; and

WHEREAS, Elmwood Community Playhouse is a gathering place; in
addition to performances, its meetings, opening and closing night
parties, and workshops provide a space to come together, discuss,
debate, and participate; Elmwood engages with local groups; it belongs
to and collaborates with the Rockland Institute for Non-Profits, the
Arts Council of Rockland, the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, and the
Rockland Community Foundation, as well as hosts benefits for dozens of
additional local groups; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Elmwood Community Playhouse is a resource; it
loans out its extensive collection of costumes, furniture, and props to
schools and other theaters throughout the area; it fosters partnerships
and provides performance opportunities for underserved communities, such
as with ARC of Rockland and Music For Life Creative Arts Therapy; and

WHEREAS, Through Elmwood Community Playhouse's history, it has been
able to provide to the 99-seat audience a wealth of entertainment and
has staged more than 392 main stage productions, including plays,
musicals, an opera, and original world-premiere shows; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Elmwood Community Playhouse has offered
performing arts classes for children and tutored many through its
technical production mentoring program and has staged workshops and
monthly readings; and

WHEREAS, Since 1948, Elmwood Community Playhouse has had over 2,390
people volunteer and have entertained over 275,000 audience members; and

WHEREAS, A vibrant arts community encourages collaboration, instills
local pride, draws people together, and is essential to a community's
vitality; since its inception, Elmwood Community Playhouse has greatly
contributed to the richness of New York's cultural palette and remains
steadfastly dedicated to ensuring this gem remains in all its glory for
decades to come; and

WHEREAS, The arts are the building blocks of civilization; they are
central to human expression; they enlighten us and inspire the
imagination; educational institutions, individuals, and organizations
which further such worthy purposes richly merit the recognition and
appreciation of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, As Elmwood Community Playhouse in Nyack looks back with
great pride to its beginnings, viewing, with just satisfaction, its
successful evolution, it renews both its dedication to supporting
artistic excellence, and its commitment to the community it has served
for 75 years, expressing its appreciation to all those who have helped
to sustain and enhance it over the years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Elmwood Community Playhouse, Inc., on
Saturday, June 11, 2022; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elmwood Community Playhouse, Inc.