Benefit Program
The 2007 Brearley Benefit, The Lighter Side of Brearley, will take place on May 20th at Cipriani Wall Street from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The Benefit is open to the entire Brearley community — current families (including siblings and grandparents), alumnae, parents of alumnae, faculty and staff.
The event will feature a performance by Gotham City Improv, as well as providing a dinner buffet and other entertainment. The buffet dinner will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. The entertainment program will be presented from 5:15 p.m. to approximately 6:15 p.m. The event will end at 7:30 p.m.
Improv is a without-a-net style of comedy that usually offers a mix of sketches and interactive comedy based on random suggestions from its audience, so every show is a unique experience. Making it up as they go along may sound like a simple exercise, but good improv, which builds on skills of cooperation, keen listening, verbal dexterity, quick wit, risk-taking and the ability to access one's creativity, is among the most challenging comedic forms. When done well, it’s exhilarating to experience on both sides of the footlights.
Gotham City Improv
The highly-acclaimed Gotham City Improv started 20 years ago as the New York outpost of the famed Los Angeles’ comedy troupe The Groundlings. Today they are a seasoned company of professional actors, offering regular performances from their West 21st Street theater. They have been a successful training ground for some of today’s most celebrated comedians.
Cipriani Wall Street
Cipriani Wall Street is “located in a magnificent historic building, on one of the most famous streets in the world.” Occupying an entire city block, this New York Landmark served as the home of the New York Merchants’ Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange and the US Customs House, as well as the headquarters of the National City Bank.
(To view a video clip of a music concert at Cipriani Wall Street, click on Concert Series and then select “Press” and “Watch”: Concert Series)
Our Youngest Guests
The Benefit entertainment will appeal to children of all ages and all buffets will have food intended for simpler tastes (pasta with butter, Caesar salads, brownies). Recognizing that a large space full of people may be overwhelming for some younger children, we have set aside a room with quiet activities at Cipriani Wall Street where a parent can take a child who needs a respite from the larger party. This room will not be supervised, so a parent should plan to stay there with the child.