Page 57 - July 2017 inLeague and Conference Program

Grandeur

PROTECT YOUR THEATRE'S

To learn more about the Historic Theatre Insurance Program, contact Kevin Sullivan:
410.547.3176 or ksullivan@mdpins.com
Photo Courtesy: Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ.
of historic theatres renovations and expansions, including the Civic Theatre of Allentown, The State Theatre
in New Brunswick, NJ and the Buck's County Playhouse. He serves on the Board of the League of Historic
American Theatres.

Sheila Dwyer Schwartz, founder and principal of Dwyer Philanthropy, has spent more than 30 years in the
nonprofit fundraising sector. Before founding her own company to help more nonprofits realize their goals,
her experience included serving as chief philanthropic officer for a multimillion-dollar health system, where
she headed a team of nearly 30 fundraising professionals and support staff to build a world-class fundraising
platform.

Tony Sias is the newly appointed president and CEO of Karamu House, Inc., the nation's oldest multicultural
arts institution, located in the heart of Cleveland's historic Fairfax community. Under Tony's direction, Karamu
-- Swahili for a joyful gathering place -- produces professional Theatre, provides Arts Education and, presents
Community Programs for all people, while honoring the African-American experience. Prior to Karamu
House, Tony was the Director of Arts Education for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and
Artistic Director of Cleveland School of the Arts. A few of his favorite directing credits include West Side Story,
Footloose, Carmen Jones, Free Man of Color, A Decade of Dreams, In the Continuum, Summer Nights and
Fireflies, Dreamgirls, Guys and Dolls and Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting. His acting credits include On the Road with
Duke, Angels in America Parts 1 & 2, Black Eagles, Big River, Oak and Ivy, Jazz Poet on Broadway, and the title
role in the one-man show Paul Robeson. Among the many awards and recognitions Tony has received are the
Ohio House of Representatives Tribute for Excellent Leadership in CMSD's All-City Arts Program, Outstanding
Direction for In the Continuum at Cleveland Public Theatre from Times Newspaper, Certificate of Special
Congressional Recognition for Contributions in Education and Cultural Arts, the Northern Ohio Live Award of
Achievement for his performance in Jazz Poet on Broadway (2002), and most recently, he was regarded as
one of 2016's Most Interesting People presented by Cleveland Magazine. Tony co-authored the article, "Use of
Live Theater to Increase Minority Participation in Alzheimer's Disease Research," published in Alzheimer's Disease
and Associates Disorders: An International Journal. In 2008-2009, Tony served as a delegate from the U.S.
Department of State in Istanbul, Turkey, representing the Council of International Programs, USA in the Engaging
Marginalized Youth Arts for Peace Project. He is a proud graduate of Jackson State University, Jackson,
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