Off The Lane is hosting our second annual Empower Artists Gala on Monday, Nov. 8 at 7:30pm ET streamed via zoom! We have seen so much growth since our launch in 2019, and are so thankful for the continuous support from our supporters. Thank you for believing in what we are doing here!
The event will feature performances by Brenda Braxton, Bianca Marroquin, OTL Mentees, Samantha Roberts and Rachel Sabo-Hedges, and will be hosted by the lovely Marilu Henner. We will also be announcing the inaugural winner of the Ann Reinking Scholarship Program with another surprise partnership announcement! You won’t want to miss it! As a virtual viewer, grab a cocktail, participate in our silent auction and enjoy the performances, celebrations and love for all of the amazing progress in our development over the past year! We are thrilled to welcome our community for a fun evening celebrating the arts.
Special shoutout to our sponsors: Herb-n-Peach, We Are Volume, Flaweless, and Show Up Event Consulting. Read more about this wonderful group in our recent blog HERE!
Haven’t RSVP’d for our gala, it’s not too late. CLICK HERE to buy tickets for the livestream on Monday night!
In tandem with the event, we are also offering the “Annie’s Joy” Candle.
This candle has been inspired and created to honor the legacy of Ann Reinking; her talent, her heart, and her passion for mentoring. A collaboration between the Ann Reinking Fundraising Committee, Peter Talbert and Timothy Jay Candles. The majority of the proceeds go towards the Ann Reinking Scholarship Program. CLICK HERE to purchase!
MEET OUR HEADLINERS
MARILU HENNER
With the energy of a teenager and the wisdom of a sage and memory of a superhero, Marilu has done it all! Broadway: Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Chicago, Social Security, Pal Joey, Grease, Over Here!. Her TV credits include “Taxi” and “Evening Shade.” Her role in “Taxi” earned her five Golden Globe nominations. Marilu is also a New York Times bestselling author of ten books.
Marilu has been an incredible asset to the Ann Reinking Advisory Board and Fundraising Committee. Her boundless energy and passion for giving back to the next generation of artists is palpable. Off The Lane is honored to have her emcee our event to help raise money for the Ann Reinking Scholarship Program.
Follow Marilu on Instagram: @therealmarilu
BIANCA MARROQUIN
Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Bianca most recently appeared to acclaim as Chita Rivera in FX’s Fosse/Verdon. She began her stage career in Mexico City in productions of Beauty and the Beast, Rent, The Phantom of the Opera and more. She later made her Broadway debut in Chicago as Roxie Hart. Other Broadway and theatre credits include: In the Heights, The Pajama Game, West Side Story as Anita, and Carnegie Hall’s “The Somewhere Project.” Additional Film and TV credits include Half Brothers and upcoming AppleTV series Acapulco. She starred in Televisa’s soap opera Esperanza del Corazon and has been a judge on Univision’s Mira Quien Baila and Pequeños Gigantes.
“My beloved Annie was not only a mentor and teacher to me but a maternal guide and wisdom coach. Annie embraced me and took me under her wing when I first arrived to do it on Broadway. She put me in the show, blessed my journey and armed me with her stories and life anecdotes. Annie was always present, supportive, loving and encouraging. Thank you Annie for changing my life and teaching me and for helping me become who I am today. I am eternally grateful”
Follow Bianca on Instagram: @biancapamelamarroquin
Bianca and The Green Room
On Wednesday, November 10, Latin sensation Bianca Marroquín makes her way back to The Green Room 42 with an eclectic mix of musical theater, rock, Latin American classics, and her own music, telling stories from her life onstage and off through song and dance in a new show titled “Where You Are.”
BRENDA BRAXTON
Brenda Braxton is a Bronx native and Tony Nominated Actress for her performance in Smokey Joe’s Cafe! No stranger to the Broadway stage, she starred in Chicago The Musical as Velma Kelly for over 10 years, served as Swing, Dance Captain and understudy in the original production of Dreamgirls, which led her to directing and choreographing a special production of Dreamgirls for the 20th anniversary of The Actor’s Fund! Other credits include, Guys and Dolls, Reggae, But Never Jam Today, Cats, and Legs Diamond. In addition to her performing career, she is the author of The Little Black Book of Backstage Etiquette.
Follow Brenda on Instagram: @bbraxtonact2
SAMANTHA ROBERTS
Samantha Roberts (she/her) is a New York based composer, director and performer. She is the founding member of Something Better Productions and has developed a musical, Forget I Said Anything which will be presented during the NY Theater Festival in December. Some of her performance credits include: Mrs. in Sunday in the Park with George, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Directing credits include: Just Getting Started, Forget I Said Anything and Seussical. She is also extremely passionate about self defense and is a Second Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do karate. She currently works as a member of the Covid Safety Team when she is not in rehearsal! She hopes to continue working in all facets of the theatre community and creating a more empathetic and compassionate world.
“Off the Lane’s Mentorship Program not only gave me a new group of connections and a support system, but a really great friend and ally in my Mentor, Ali. I am so grateful to be a part of Off The Lane and be able to help celebrate the arts!“
Follow Samantha on Instagram: @sammirose_r
RACHEL SABO-HEDGES
Rachel Sabo-Hedges is a newcomer to NYC! Before graduating from the Atlantic Acting School Summer Intensive, she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Carolina University. From Shakespeare, all the way to newly devised works, Rachel wants to experience all the corners of the artistic world and continue to expand her knowledge and expertise. In addition to acting, she loves tap dancing, stage combat, directing, and singing.
“OTL’s mentorship program has been such a vital part of my being able to come to NYC. Moving to a new place is so scary, especially when you don’t know anyone, and right when I got here they were reaching out a hand and giving me the support I needed.“
Follow Rachel on Instagram: @rachelsabohedges
