Stars Turn Out for Tisch Gala Celebration

By Richard Pierce

      The Tisch School of the Arts can count among its alumni and students some of the most gifted people in the arts and entertainment, and every year many come out for one night to be a part of the school’s annual benefit gala. It was no exception last November when an impressive roster of talent assembled by Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell and her staff turned out to celebrate the school’s alumni/artists from Broadway, film, and television.
      Alumni honoree and 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin ’94, actor and Tisch Dean’s Council co-chair, was handed his award by film and television star Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order SVU). Performing in his honor was Broadway legend Elaine Stritch.
      “Of course, I’m very grateful to have been this year’s alumni honoree,” said Baldwin. “More importantly, however, I am pleased to learn that the gala raised some real money for the school. In these economic times, this is work that will become more difficult, but that we must do.”
      Honoree Maurice Kanbar, inventor, philanthropist, and namesake of the school’s Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, was saluted by the Oscar-winning filmmakers and brothers Joel ’78 and Ethan Coen. Alumna Laura Benanti ’02, a Tony winner for Gypsy, performed in his honor. Philanthropist Iris Cantor, who gives generously to the arts and medical causes, was presented her award by Dean Campbell, and alumnus and actor Raúl Esparza ’92 (The Homecoming) sang in her honor.
      The event, which took place at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, the Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, opened with Rainn Wilson ’89 (The Office) introducing 10 fellow TSOA alumni from the Graduate Acting Program who performed in honor of their beloved faculty member and mentor, Zelda Fichandler, former chair of the Graduate Acting Program, who is also a Presidential Medal of Arts winner and considered to be the founder of regional theatre in America.
      A-list celebrities in the audience included Tony Bennett, Tom Skerritt, Tina Fey, and many members of the cast of Saturday Night Live. Hosts for the evening were Campbell; honorary chairs Chris Columbus ’80 and Lorne Michaels; and gala co-chairs, alumna Patrice Auld ’77 and Rosemarie DiLorenzo.