George LeMieux Christine Welch Richard Welch.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Parker Playhouse provided the perfect backdrop for the recent Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s annual reception to kick off the Broward Center’s 2017-2018 season.  The Parker Playhouse, part of the Broward Center family, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Foundation President Lisa Kitei thanked the Foundation Board of Directors, the Performing Arts Center Authority and donors for their unwavering support and generosity. “It is because of you that the Broward Center continues to have such a profound and lasting impact on our community,” Kitei said.  

Broward Center President and CEO Kelley Shanley added, “We have a fantastic season ahead of us at both the Broward Center and here at the Parker with world-class programming and performances and outstanding educational programs, workshops and classes.”

Broward Performing Arts Foundation Board chair Robert B. Lochrie III talked about the 50th Anniversary of the Parker Playhouse, its heritage and the impact of this community treasure on South Florida. “Today, the Parker Playhouse plays an important role in the Broward Center’s mix of theaters and is an integral part of the Center’s arts-in-education programs,” said Lochrie.  “The Parker has allowed the Broward Center to expand the ways it can fulfill its mission.”

For more than 25 years, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations.  Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities and capital projects. Most recently, the Foundation raised $59 million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew and revitalize the Broward Center.

About the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive LATAM AIRLINES CLUB LEVEL, spectacular riverfront views for special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 150,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.

The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera, Fort Lauderdale History Center and the Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

THE BROWARD PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION, INC., REGISTRATION NUMBER SC-00882, MEETS ALL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BY THE FLORIDA SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE 1-800-435-7352 OR CONTACTING WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. 100% OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION.