<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend Lineup</strong></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/community-open-house" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Community Open House</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Norwalk Art Space</strong></p><p>Friday Nov 22, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm</p><p>Connect with your community and celebrate creativity at The Norwalk Art Space Community Open House, November 22nd. See all of the beautiful artwork and delight in the musical performances from the Fall semester students who attended FREE art and music classes. Take in all that this wonderful Art Space and our Community Partners bring to the region and offer families in Norwalk and the surrounding area.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/och-oy-a-considered-cabaret" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Och &amp; Oy: A Considered Cabaret</strong></a></p><p><strong>Westport Country Playhouse</strong></p><p>Friday Nov 22, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm</p><p>The show’s main title “Och &amp; Oy!” plays on Cumming’s Scottish and Shapiro’s Jewish backgrounds. The subtitle “A Considered Cabaret” are nods to Shapiro being known for ‘All Things Considered’ and Cumming for the show ‘Cabaret.’ Their show combines the best bits of public radio with the best bits of a musical, where they have deep, thought-provoking conversations and also entertaining perhaps slightly bawdy musical numbers. What comes together is an old-fashioned cabaret that offers a mix of songs, Q&amp;A. and personal storytelling – which both men have been doing in various ways for decades.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/2024-heida-hermanns-international-music-competition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>2024 Heida Hermanns International Music Competition</strong></a></p><p><strong>MoCA CT</strong></p><p>Friday Nov 22, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>The 2024 Heida Hermanns International Music Competition is for talented pianists ages 18-35 worldwide to compete. They aim to showcase exceptional piano performances and promote music entrepreneurship in musicians. The competition includes an online preliminary round and an in-person final round where participants demonstrate their technical prowess, interpretive skills, and musical expression. It’s a platform for emerging artists to gain recognition and connect with the global music community.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/sm-nc-nights-out-whiskey-woodfire" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>SM&amp;NC Nights Out: Whiskey &amp; Woodfire</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 23, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>Sips and Slices are perfect companions! Join us in the Knobloch Family Farmhouse for a night of “spirited” whiskey exploration paired with freshly made New Haven Style pies by the one-and-only Sally’s Apizza.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/greenwich-symphony-orchestra-bella-hristova-violin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bella Hristova, Violin</strong></a></p><p><strong>Greenwich Symphony Orchestra</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 23, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm</p><p>Audiences are thrilled by the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra's mix of contemporary and classical selections performed by accomplished professional musicians and world-renowned soloists, under the direction of Tony Award-winning Music Director, Stuart Malina.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-smithereens-with-guest-vocalist-robin-wilson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>The Smithereens with Guest Vocalist Robin Wilson</strong></a></p><p><strong>Ridgefield Playhouse</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 23, 8:00 pm - 11:45 pm</p><p>Founded in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have been creating electrifying, original rock’n’roll for more than 40 years. Today, The Smithereens include original members: Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums,) and Mike Mesaros (bass), with a rotation of special guest vocalists. This show will feature Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/former-u-s-poet-laureate-billy-collins-debuts-water-water-poems" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Water, Water: Poems</strong></a></p><p><strong>Wilton Library</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 24, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm</p><p>Come to the literary event of the season when Billy Collins, the former Poet Laureate of the United States will introduce Water, Water: Poem<strong>s</strong>, a wondrous new collection focused on the joys and mysteries of daily life. And on our stage for the first time - Collins meets Brubeck - where poetry and jazz come together in a very special pairing! In Water, Water, Collins combines his vigilant attention and respect for the peripheral to create moments of delight. Common and uncommon events are captured here with equal fascination, be it a cat leaning to drink from a swimming pool, a nurse calling a name in a waiting room, or an astronaut reciting Emily Dickinson from outer space. With his trademark lyrical informality, Collins asks us to slow down and glimpse the elevated in the ordinary, the odd in the familiar. It’s no surprise that The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal both call Collins one of America’s favorite poets.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/jack-lawrence-fall-concerts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Jack Lawrence Fall Concerts</strong></a></p><p><strong>Klein Auditorium</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 24, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm</p><p>Concert 1, 1 PM : Steel Pan Future Stars, Junior Stars, and All Stars, and Percussion, Jazz II, Saxophone, and Jazz I Orchestras. Concert 2, 4 PM : String, Sinfonia, and Virtuosi Orchestras. Classical selections, plus music by American songwriter Jack Lawrence. Concert 3, 6:30 PM : Principal &amp; Philharmonic Orchestras. Our 88 Principal Orchestra musicians will perform the “New World Symphony” (Symphony No. 9) by Antonin Dvorak under the baton of Christopher Hisey. The Philharmonic will perform works by Schubert, Sibelius, and Dvorak. In addition, GCTYO will present its inaugural Inna Berson Wetmore Excellence in Teaching Award to Bernice Friedson, longtime music educator and former Concertmaster of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the FCBUZZ EVENTS page at<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">&nbsp;https://culturalalliancefc.org</a>&nbsp;Sign up for the Cultural Alliance eBuzz to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p>Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of former Governor M. Jodi Rell, who passed away at a Florida hospital on Wednesday, November 20, following a brief illness. She was 78 years old.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Governor Rell was Connecticut’s 87th&nbsp;governor, serving from 2004 until 2011. She was only the second female governor in Connecticut history. She also served as lieutenant governor for ten years and as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives for ten years, representing Brookfield and Bethel.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“Governor Rell represented the very best of Connecticut values, expanding healthcare and childcare, and making Connecticut one of the first states in the country to recognize same-sex unions,”&nbsp;Governor Lamont said. “She became governor almost reluctantly and at a time of great turmoil, and she used her newly acquired authority to bring stability to state government in a way that was very much needed at the time, focusing on strengthening state ethics laws and rebuilding the trust of the residents of our state. Her style of leadership was not fabricated or manipulated in any way. The Jodi Rell that the people of Connecticut saw in public was the Jodi Rell that she was in real life – calm, rational, caring, approachable, and devoted to her family and to her state. During this time that I’ve had the honor of serving as governor, she has become a very good friend. We had a great bipartisan conversation at the Rell Center last year and had a lot of fun at the annual holiday parties at the Residence. I will miss her at the door greeting Christmas well-wishers next month. We will all miss Governor Rell, who left the state a better place. Annie and I extend our condolences to the entire Rell family.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Buffalo Rose is returning to Voices Cafe, promising to “rock the house” on Saturday December 7th at 8pm.</p><p>Buffalo Rose is a charismatic six-piece modern folk/Americana band from Pittsburgh, PA. They take the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level by crafting original songs which are emotive, meticulously arranged, and inspired by a world of idiosyncratic influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in. John Platt, of WFUV, founding of New Folk Initiative, gives a clue of what is in store: ​“Their sound is intoxicating - the combination of their tight string band rhythm and their supple harmonies.”</p><p>Buffalo Rose is a favorite here in Fairfield County, and we are so glad to have them back in Westport.</p><p><a href="https://voicescafe.org/show/live-in-person-damn-tall-buildings/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tickets and Information: </a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The concert date is Saturday, December 7th, doors open at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm. Tickets and information are available at </span><a href="https://voicescafe.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://voicescafe.org/</a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Concert admission is $25 per ticket. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Voices Cafe concerts offer a BYO setting with a choice of coffee-house style seating at tables or individual seating. Guests can bring their own beverages and snacks; coffee and sweet treats will also be available for purchase. Groups of four or more can reserve table space.</span></p><p>Voices Cafe concerts support social justice programs in our local community, under the guidance of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport. This concert will be held at 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport CT.</p><p><strong>About Buffalo Rose:</strong></p><p>Buffalo Rose is one of the country’s hottest modern folk/Americana bands, winning praise all over the country for their sound. Buffalo Rose's lineup of Lucy Clabby (vocals), Margot Jezerc (vocals), Bryce Rabideau (mandolin), Malcolm Inglis (dobro), Jason Rafalak (upright bass), and Shane McLaughlin (guitar, vocals) pushes itself and each other far beyond their perceived limits and blends their diverse and atypical approach to songwriting with the desire to see how unique a song can get and still feel like home. They use powerful vocal harmonies, strong playing, and an original vision to operate at every possible emotional level and put on dynamic live shows that are unforgettable experiences.</p><p>“These cats are a really good band, very entertaining. They have what it takes,” says Eddie Owen, founder of Eddie's Attic (Atlanta, GA) and host of Eddie Owen Presents. Folk music legend and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Tom Paxton says “How can a band be loose and tight at the same time? Listen to Buffalo Rose for the answer. I flat love them.”</p><p>Buffalo Rose takes the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level by crafting original songs which are emotive, meticulously arranged, and inspired by a world of idiosyncratic influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in. Their unique combination of artistry and enthusiasm makes Buffalo Rose one of the most vital and important groups working today. The band gleefully combines genres and ideas together to move acoustic music forward to a new, contemporary place without ever losing sight of its folk roots.</p><p>The band released their debut album,&nbsp;<em>The Soil and the Seed</em>, in 2018 and established themselves as a vocal, instrumental, and creative force. Since then, Buffalo Rose has dropped two EPs, 2019’s&nbsp;<em>Big Stampede</em>&nbsp;and 2020’s&nbsp;<em>Borrowed and Blue</em>, opened for the Wood Brothers, Mipso, Pokey LaFarge, Tyler Childers, Infamous Stringdusters, and shared a festival stage with the legendary Sam Bush.</p><p>The band’s upward trajectory continues into 2022 with their EP&nbsp;<em>Rabbit</em>, created in collaboration with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Tom Paxton, followed by a new full-length LP scheduled for release later in the year.</p><p>Learn more: <a href="https://www.buffalorosemusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.buffalorosemusic.com/</a></p>

<p>Westport, CT - Once again, MoCA CT will bring rising stars in the piano world to Westport, CT to compete over the course of two days in one of America’s most celebrated cultural events, the 2024 Heida Hermanns Piano Competition. The final round of the competition will take place from November 22-23, 2024.</p><p>This year’s three international finalists, Zehao ‘Nick’ Bai, Carter Johnson and Yongqiu Liu, were selected through an extensive application process where video submissions of their individual performances were chosen from over seventy competitors. The three will be the first ones to premiere a new commissioned work by internationally heralded composer Lowell Liebermann.</p><p>Kristen Young, Director of Performing Arts, stated, "We are thrilled to announce the addition of a newly commissioned work by renowned composer Lowell Liebermann to this year's Heida Hermanns International Music Competition. As we continue to celebrate and elevate the talent of young pianists, this exciting new piece adds an extraordinary dimension to the competition. Liebermann's composition, which reflects his unique voice and innovative style, will challenge and inspire our participants, giving them the rare opportunity to perform a world-premiere work. The Heida Competition has always been about pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, and this collaboration with one of America's leading composers is a testament to</p><p>our commitment to nurturing the next generation of pianists while expanding the repertoire for the piano."</p><p>Judges for the final in-person competition include Chairman of the Jury pianist Frederic Chiu of Beechwood Arts &amp; Innovation, a previously Heida winner himself, Inna Faliks, one of the most communicative and poetic artists of her generation, and ; and critically acclaimed pianist Miki Aoki. Video audition jurists included past Heida alumni Wenjie Lyu, Julia Siciliano, and Alexei Tartakovsky.</p><p>Event Schedule &amp; Special Highlights:</p><p>Friday, November 22</p><p>6:00 PM – 6:45 PM: Welcome Reception with Hors d’oeuvres</p><p>Begin the evening mingling with fellow enthusiasts and perhaps catch a glimpse of our esteemed jury and finalists.</p><p>7:00 PM – 9:45 PM: Finalists' Performances</p><p>Experience the exceptional talent of our three finalists. Witness the future of classical music as they showcase their technical mastery and artistic expression.</p><p>7:00 PM – 7:45 PM: Performance by Zehao ‘Nick’ Bai 8:00 PM – 8:45 PM: Performance by Carter Johnson 9:00 PM – 9:45 PM: Performance by Yongqiu Liu</p><p>Saturday, November 23</p><p>5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Mini Recital and Book Talk by Inna Faliks</p><p>Join Heida Final Round Judge Inna Faliks for an intimate recital and insightful discussion about her new memoir, Weight in the Fingertips. Gain personal insights into her journey from Soviet Ukraine to the world stage, and how her experiences have shaped her illustrious career.</p><p>6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktails</p><p>Enjoy delightful food and drinks while engaging in conversations with fellow guests, the jury, and the finalists. It's a perfect opportunity to share your passion for music with other like-minded people.</p><p>7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Judges' Performance and Awards Announcement</p><p>Be captivated by exclusive performances from our prestigious jury members:</p><ul><li>Frederic Chiu</li><li>Miki Aoki</li><li>Inna Faliks</li><li>Julia Siciliano</li><li>Alexei Tartakovsky</li></ul><p>Conclude the evening with the exciting Awards Announcement, where we celebrate the achievements of our finalists and crown the winner of the 2024 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000, and each of the other finalists will receive a prize of $2,500, generously donated by Norman and Suzanne Sorensen.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Prior winners include celebrated pianists who have gone on to perform in the world’s most important halls, such as Spencer Myer, Frederic Chiu, Josh Wright, Timur Mustikimov, and Yue Chu.</span></p><p>Tickets can be purchased for individual events or as a two-day package. Tickets include hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://news.hamlethub.com/fairfield-connecticut/stories/theheida.mocact.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">theheida.mocact.org</a><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">&nbsp;</span>or call<a href="https://news.hamlethub.com/fairfield-connecticut/stories/203.222.7070" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">&nbsp;</a><a href="203.222.7070" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">203.222.7070</a>&nbsp;to learn more</p><p>and purchase tickets.</p>

<p>Westport, CT - Books may be the mainstay, but The Westport Library also carries a wide array of media offerings. From DVDs and Blu-rays, to board games, electronics, and other useful equipment, the Library is committed to expanding its diverse media catalog — and now even offers vinyl records and video games!</p><p>The vinyl collection is on display in the Hub near the Reference desk. Vinyl records can be taken out for 10 days, with an allowance of three records to be taken out at a time.&nbsp;</p><p>Currently, the vinyl collection includes classics like Bob Dylan’s&nbsp;<em>Blonde on Blonde</em>&nbsp;and Pink Floyd’s&nbsp;<em>Dark Side of the Moon</em>, as well as newer releases like Hozier’s&nbsp;<em>Unreal Unearth</em>&nbsp;and Beyonce’s&nbsp;<em>Renaissance.&nbsp;</em>With 100 records across nine genres — rock, pop, R&amp;B, hip hop, jazz, folk, blues, country, and even local artists, including&nbsp;<a href="https://versorecords.westportlibrary.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><em>Verso Records: Volume One</em></a>, a limited press compilation of emerging Connecticut and tri-state area artists recorded in the Library’s own Verso Studios — the collection offers something for everyone.&nbsp;</p><p>For more information on vinyl records, check out the Library’s&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/CollectingVinyl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Collecting Vinyl Resource Guide</a>.</p><p>For the audiophiles and media preservationists, your favorite album can be paired with one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://catalog.westportlibrary.org/polaris/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&amp;pos=25&amp;cn=604351" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Crosley Cruiser Turntables</a>&nbsp;available in the Library of Things, and you’ve got everything you need for a listening party.</p><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/LOT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Library of Things</a>&nbsp;has much to offer in the media realm, including two Nintendo Switch consoles — and now Switch games are available for borrowing as well, making The Westport Library your one-stop shop for gaming.</p><p>The collection of games is on display by the Patron Services desk. Games can be taken out for one week; holds and renewals are not available at this time.</p><p>If interest grows, so will the Library’s collection. There are currently 50 games available, including fan favorites like&nbsp;<em>Mario Party, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, Animal Crossing: New Horizons,</em>&nbsp;and many more.They're going fast, so grab your must-plays — and your favorite albums — before they're gone!</p><p>Library of Things:&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/LOT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/LOT</a></p>

<p>Westport Country Playhouse has named new members to its Theatre Council, an advocacy group supporting the artistic and&nbsp;community-building mission of the historic theatre, now in its 93rd&nbsp;year.</p><p>The Theatre Council of Westport Country Playhouse is a group of volunteer leaders from Fairfield County and beyond. Members serve as theatre ambassadors through the promotion of and advocacy for the Playhouse’s artistic integrity, expansion of new patronage, and cultivation of a diverse and inclusive environment across its audiences and programming. The Council was initially formed in 2020, but became inactive during the global pandemic.&nbsp;It recently has been revived, under the guidance of Ben Frimmer, Playhouse trustee.</p><p>“I am so excited to bring the Theatre Council back to the Playhouse,” said Frimmer. “The Theatre Council is an incredible ‘friendraising’ group that raises awareness of who&nbsp;we are and what we do. Our tremendous team of volunteers spend their time planning exciting, new events for our members and friends and also increase our audiences by bringing&nbsp;new people into our theatre community.”</p><p>Frimmer<strong>&nbsp;</strong>is a producer, director, and theatre arts educator with over 60 productions and 30 years of experience. He is the director of Coleytown Company and holds a BFA in acting from Ithaca College and an MA in educational theatre from NYU. He serves as deputy chief of Weston EMS and is a Connecticut State EMS instructor.&nbsp;</p><p>Theatre Council members are educators, artists, community organizers, and other individuals who believe theatre, and the Playhouse&nbsp;specifically, to be a vital cultural institution in Connecticut and the performing arts at large. Participants are selected by application, adjudicated by members of the Playhouse board of trustees.</p><p>Westport Country Playhouse Theatre Council members are:</p><p><strong>Ari Benmosche</strong>&nbsp;is the owner of Westport-based JACA Management and serves as president of JACA Entertainment Corp., overseeing the operation of a historic, single-screen movie and vaudeville theatre in Suffern, NY. Benmosche is currently serving as an elected official on the Representative Town Meeting for District 8 in Westport.</p><p><strong>Carin Freidag</strong>&nbsp;holds a BA in theatre. Although she went on to a career in the corporate world, she has been involved voluntarily in local theatre as a performer and serving on the board of the Wilton Playshop for many years. Freidag was an original member of a previous iteration of the Westport Country Playhouse Theatre Council in 2020.</p><p><strong>Ivy Kramer-Gosseen</strong>&nbsp;is a senior account executive at Winston Staffing in NYC. She holds a BA in both psychology and sociology from the University of Wisconsin and an MSW from NYU. She is currently on the executive board of AWARE-CT and the Federation of Greater Fairfield County. She was formerly president of Hadassah of Westport.</p><p><strong>Jeff Gurner&nbsp;</strong>has made a career in the arts for three decades, working as an actor, director, producer, musician, writer, and educator. He has performed on and off Broadway, regionally, on national and international tours, and in television series, and is an award-winning audiobook narrator. His theatre production company is Tequila Talking Theatrical.</p><p><strong>Kerri Joller</strong>&nbsp;is an HR leader and executive coach with over 15 years of experience working with high-growth organizations in NYC. She graduated from The University of Delaware with a BA in business marketing and is a Certified Professional CoActive Coach (CPCC). As a youngster, she volunteered at the Playhouse as an usher with her grandmother.</p><p><strong>Diana Mashia</strong>&nbsp;has spent her career at the intersection of finance, strategy, research, and social impact. She manages operations and marketing for Mastercard Community Pass. She a holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a B.A. from Barnard College in art history and economics.</p><p><strong>Carolina Mata</strong>&nbsp;has led communication and stakeholder experience functions at organizations including IBM, Xerox, Pitney Bowes, Whirlpool, and Activision Blizzard,&nbsp;building campaigns and messages that resonate, engage, and inspire. She holds a BA degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.</p><p><strong>Rachel Rosado Murray</strong>&nbsp;is an entertainment attorney and performer. She received a BFA in acting from the University of Connecticut, where she was a three-time recipient of the UConn Fine Arts Talent Scholarship. She earned a J.D., cum laude, from New York Law School. Her extensive on-stage experience includes the outdoor symphonic drama, “The Lost Colony.”</p><p><strong>Rabbi Zachary A. Plesent</strong>&nbsp;serves as the associate rabbi at Temple Israel in Westport, and is an alumnus of Indiana University. Theatre has long been a love of his, and his rabbinic studies in New York allowed him to be a frequent theatregoer during his time at seminary.</p><p><strong>Sara Robbin</strong>&nbsp;is a graduate of Cornell University and Emory Law School. After practicing law for many years at both a large NYC law firm and in-house at the 9/11 Memorial &amp; Museum, she found her true passion as a legal writing professor at Fordham Law School. She now has her own company assisting students with college and graduate school admittance essays.</p><p><strong>Elizabeth Salem</strong>&nbsp;graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in music. She performed professionally on the New York stage, television, and in independent films, and co-founded a non-profit theater company. She owns Salem Productions, a production and investment company primarily focused on developing original work in NYC and London.</p><p><strong>Meredith Walker</strong>&nbsp;is a seasoned theatre educator with over 15 years of experience in the field. She holds a BA in theatre studies from the University of Connecticut and an MA in theatre education from Emerson College. Currently, she serves as the director of admissions for the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, a new two-year college conservatory program.</p><p><strong>Claire Wilkes</strong>&nbsp;began her career in non-profit theatre administration with the Women’s Project, now the WP Theatre. As an actor, she appeared in multiple productions with The Westside Repertory and Third Eye Repertory. She is a proud alumna of Barnard College, and TRU’s Producer Development and Mentorship Program.</p><p>Westport Country Playhouse 2024 Programming and Season Sponsor is Barbara Streicker. Media sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. Westport Country Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.</p><p>A complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>