As an off-Broadway not-for-profit arts organization located in the Upper West Side, The York Theatre Company and its patrons have been through a difficult 17 months. As if the shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was not enough, a separate disaster befell The York: a flood caused by a city water main break on January 4, 2021 from which we are still displaced. On November 1st - which marks ten months since the flood - The York will be hosting our 29th annual Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan. This award is named in honor of the legendary lyricist and librettist who helped shape American musical theatre through his collaborations with a number of different composers and writers.  The award was created in 1988 by Janet Hayes Walker, the Founding Artistic Director of The York Theatre Company, and is presented with the endorsement of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and the Hammerstein family. 

At this year’s Gala, we are honoring the legendary composers Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire. The two have been writing together since 1958, making theirs the longest-running collaboration in musical theater history. They’ve written the scores for more than a dozen musicals, including Broadway’s Baby (Best Musical and Score Tony nominations) and Big (Tony nomination for Best Score.) 

With our annual gala coming up, we are beginning to plan for the Silent Auction component of the evening. Each year a portion of our auction earnings go towards our Musical Theatre Training Program [MTTP]. $1,000 pays for a class of students to see a performance on Broadway. $1,500 pays the salary for a Broadway-caliber instructor. $2,500 sponsors a New York City-based student through our program and $5,000 sponsors an out-of-area or international student for their studies and housing in New York. Since 2015, the York's MTTP has brought professionals together with dedicated theatre students. Our rigorous yet nurturing programs offer training in singing, acting and movement and include master classes with some of New York’s top theatre artists. Programs culminate in a showcase performance on the York’s Off-Broadway stage.  
During the pandemic, we offered a Spring and Fall virtual intensive for students. They were able to work one-on-one with writers to create songs that were made just for them.  

The online component of our auctions begins on October 1, 2021. On October 31st, the online auction will close and will reconvene in person at the Edison Ballroom on November 1st. Winners will be chosen there.