BROADWAY SERVES is a NYC based service organization whose mission is to connect theater professionals to volunteer opportunities, locally, nationally, and abroad. We are committed to creating a platform for theater makers to “be the change beyond the stage” by engaging in activities that directly impact the needs of our most vulnerable communities. By partnering with organizations whose missions align with ours, as well as developing socially responsible original programming, we create a bridge between the theater industry and the community at large to address issues of accessibility to basic human rights.
History of
BROADWAY SERVES
BROADWAY SERVES is a NYC based service organization whose mission is to connect theater professionals to volunteer opportunities, locally, nationally, and abroad. We are committed to creating a platform for theater makers to “be the change beyond the stage” by engaging in activities that directly impact the needs of our most vulnerable communities. By partnering with organizations whose missions align with ours, as well as developing socially responsible original programming, we create a bridge between the theater industry and the community at large to address issues of accessibility to basic human rights.
In April of 2012, co-founders Dionne Figgins, Dana Marie Ingraham, and Kimberly Marable recognized there was a need for a platform for theater professionals to take an active role in social issues and current events. Following an earlier meeting of minds at the Million Hoodie March responding to the wrongful death of Trayvon Martin, they quickly realized that they could create a real opportunity for change; moreover to “be the change beyond the stage” by offering volunteer opportunities to their theatrical peers.
Plans for upcoming service projects ensued; including NYC AIDS Walk, the SAG Foundation's BookPALS program, the Children's Museum of Manhattan's program with Homes for the Homeless, and City Harvest's Mobile Market produce distribution events. August 2012 saw the beginning of the BROADWAY SERVES "To Go" Program, which allows those in national touring companies and working at regional theaters across the country, to serve the community wherever they are. By January 2013, BROADWAY SERVES' impact was worldwide, with volunteers having served communities in Canada, St. Maarten, and volunteer efforts having had an impact as far as Uganda. In May 2013, they were the inspiration for London's WEST END SERVES, which also seeks to be the "change beyond the stage." In July 2014, the Kids Serve program was born, providing Broadway's brightest (and youngest) stars with age-appropriate volunteer opportunities for those under the age of 18. In 2016, Broadway Serves partnered with the 14+ Foundation to provide theater/artistic workshops, art supplies, and clothing items to students at the Chipakata Children's Academy in Chipakata Village in Zambia, Africa; Broadway Serves also provided sanitary products to women of the Chipakata Village.
For over 10 years the theater professionals of BROADWAY SERVES have been thrilled to be agents for change in the New York City, national, and global communities by way of volunteerism. Hundreds of volunteers have worked with close to 100 organizations in about 60 different cities across the globe. Currently, Broadway Serves offers a line up of monthly service opportunities in New York City with St. Luke's Soup Kitchen, Covenant House, and other organizations; hosts Kids Serve events throughout the year; and works with Service Liaisons in several touring productions to facilitate service opportunities across the continent.
BROADWAY SERVES is an affiliate program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.