New York City Children's Theater (NYCCT) will present its 2026 gala honoring its 30th anniversary on Monday, April 27th, at Elsie Rooftop, 1412 Broadway, NYC. It will be hosted by Emmy award-winning ABC7 anchor, Sandra Bookman, with a special video presentation by award-winning actor, composer, lyricist, playwright, and filmmaker Lin-Manuel Miranda, and features live musical entertainment by Anika Larsen, Storm Lever, Eryn LeCroy, and more to come!
2026 Family of Artists Honoree: Stephanie Klemons, presented by Lin-Manuel Miranda
An award-winning Broadway performer and choreographer, Stephanie serves as the Associate Choreographer and original Dance Captain of the groundbreaking musical Hamilton. She directed and choreographed NYCCT’s original productions, Pinocchio and This is Sadie. Klemons was also an original cast member and Dance Captain of In the Heights and If/Then, performing alongside Idina Menzel.
2026 Harmony Award Honoree: Common Sense Fund, presented by Madeline Calandrillo, Director of Education, NYC Children’s Theater
A steadfast champion of equity, access, and cultural enrichment, the Common Sense Fund has been a vital partner in bringing the transformative power of live theater directly to New York City's most underserved children — meeting kids where they are and ensuring that circumstance is never a barrier to artistic experience.
NYCCT’s 30th Anniversary Gala is a milestone celebration honoring three decades of bringing innovative, inclusive, and impactful theater to young audiences across the five boroughs. The evening will feature performances inspired by NYCCT’s productions, stories from children and families impacted by the organization’s work, and a celebration of the artists, educators, and supporters who have shaped its legacy. Proceeds from the gala will directly support NYCCT’s mission to create accessible, high-quality theater and arts education programs for children of all backgrounds. Generous corporations are supporting the 30th Anniversary Gala, including ABC7, The Great Bourbon Distillery, Wegmans, Kendra Scott Jewelry, Color Me Mine, Spyscape, Mercer Labs, and more.
The 2026 Gala Committee is composed of NYCCT Board members: Gala Co-Chairs, Kimberly Marshall and Bryan McCaffrey; Board Chair, Melanie Weinraub; Jennie Connery, Amber Kennedy, Anika Larsen, Matthew Quint, and Barbara Zinn Krieger, Artistic Director and Founder.
Tickets on sale now: Individual Gala tickets, $500; Gala tables, $5,000; Sponsorship packages, $10,000. For tickets, tables, or donations: https://www.nycchildrenstheater.org/2025/12/30th-anniversary-gala/
Monday, April 27, 2026
6:00 - 7:00 PM, Cocktail Reception
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Seated Dinner, Program, & Dessert
Elsie Rooftop, 1412 Broadway (at 39th Street), 24th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Event Venue
Elsie Rooftop, 1412 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, United States
