Open Arts Alliance: A Big Thank You To The Community

From The Open Arts Alliance Staff

“How do you measure a year?” As Jonathan Larson asks in RENT, his Pulitzer Prize winning musical staged in a student version by Open Arts Alliance high school and leadership council students in summer 2024, the answer is “measure in love.”

It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has passed, but when we pause to think about everything we’ve achieved together, we felt we needed to write an open letter to our community thanking all of you for your continued support.

This year has been one for the books and included TEN different productions of NINE different shows. Our sold-out performances of The Sound of Music in March made way for the month-long residence of KC@BAT: a new musical debuting off-Broadway in May. Summer was filled with chocolate (in Willy Wonka) and wonder (in Alice In Wonderland), while sold-out classes of Frozen KIDS partnered with Neighbor to Neighbor to sponsor a food drive for our local community.

A Christmas Carol at Carnegie Hall stands out as a monumental milestone, not just for Open Arts Alliance, but for all of us who share in the joy of seeing young talent shine. The excitement in the air, the proud faces of our performers, and the full house standing ovation at Carnegie Hall were a testament to what happens when we all come together to nurture and celebrate the arts. Not only in the theatre seats, but in the schools and community centers where OAA was fortunate enough to bring free educational arts programs to senior citizens (many of whom have Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia) and to students who would otherwise not have access to world-class teaching artists.

What makes these achievements even more special is the sense of family and community that surrounds them. Every rehearsal, every performance, every volunteer—these are the moments where we truly see the heart and soul of Open Arts Alliance come to life.

As a non-profit, we rely on the generosity and continued support of our community to keep our programs vibrant, accessible, diverse and impactful. Your support has helped us continue to offer life-changing opportunities for young artists, put on unforgettable performances, and ensure that the magic of the arts is accessible to all.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are changing lives, inspiring creativity, and making the world a more beautiful place—one performance at a time.

With heartfelt thanks,

The Open Arts Alliance Staff:
Rocco Natale, Executive Director
Cindy Busani, Director of Programs
John Curtis, Artistic Associate
Jennifer Dunn, Director