​On September 22, I and several other Shubert staff gathered in front of the Sardi’s Building, adorned with our brand-new Shubert Organization caps, and prepared for our short walk to Times Square. Usually, if you see a group of Shubert employees together, we’re either on our way to a show. This time, around 18 of us volunteered to spend our morning with Andy Cohen to help clean up the Theatre District.
 
I’ve volunteered to clean up parks, paint houses, serve lunch, etc, but I never would've thought about volunteering to clean up Times Square. Don’t we have a sanitation department to take care of that??? Anyway, after a quick walk we found ourselves in the heart of Midtown, where we were briefed by representatives from The Sanitation Foundation (TSF) on our goals for the morning. The Sanitation Foundation is a nonprofit partner of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) whose mission is to clean up the city and reduce waste sent to landfills. TSF and WE❤NYC partnered together for this week-long cleanup of Broadway, aka “The World’s Most Famous Street.”
 
After our briefing, we were split up into groups. Shubert had the largest number of volunteers out of all sponsors, by far! My group, the majority of which were Shuberts (plus Andy Cohen), started made our way down 47th Street to 10th Ave, then back across 46th Street to Broadway. The general directive was, “if you see trash, pick it up. Unless it’s a needle – please leave those alone.” Armed with utility gloves, grabbers, and bags, we found mostly cigarette butts, discarded snack food wrappers, the occasional piece of paper—the usual litter. We also found a couple of pairs of shoes (are we positive those were trash?), phone chargers, and Playbills (cry emoji). We did find a number of used needles. The TSF team marked the location of the needles and had a special disposal crew for those. It’s sad to think that things like that are usually just lying around such a tourist-heavy, residential, and business district.
 
All-in-all the cleanup was pretty straightforward. It was a couple of hours of labor, and it was nice to get out of the office to give back to Broadway. We were graced with excellent weather, and it really did feel like we were cleaning up our own little corner of NYC. I’m also very happy to share that MOST of the Shubert theatres were spotless, with hardly any litter.
 
My favorite part was getting to share this experience and bond with some of my colleagues with whom I’ve only ever interacted over Teams or by email. I work in the 520 Eighth Avenue office, so I’m fairly removed from the folks at Sardi's. I would absolutely love to have more opportunities to interact with my colleagues outside of the office.
 
Many thanks to Cassandra for putting this together! 

​On Sunday, October 1, The Shubert Organization became the second-highest fundraiser of 55 tables at the 37th Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, earning $34,746 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS! This brought our total 10-year contribution to $174,111.

​One of the most highly anticipated days of the season, the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction offers fans the chance to find one-of-a-kind showbiz treasures, meet their favorite cast members and bid on exclusive backstage experiences. The funds raised provide important lifesaving medication, healthy meals, counseling and emergency assistance for all in the entertainment and performing arts, as well as those living with HIV/AIDS or facing other debilitating illnesses in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
 
The Shubert Flea Market Team would like to express their deepest gratitude to everyone who donated memorabilia to our great cause! The Shubert Archive kindly contributed the always-popular private tour to our auction lot. The Warehouse, Security and Theatre Operations provided logistical support and the transportation of so many boxes. Hugh Barnett, Michelle Fraioli, Heidi Giovine, Kenny Nuñez, Emily Petrain, Lauren Schumann, Jonathan Shulman, Danielle Vargas and Jesse White saved props and other treasures from our shows. John Darby, Bern Gautier and Keith Marston provided fixtures from the Cort renovation, Kieran McGee saved Phantom set pieces from load out and Caroline Schott assembled jewelry and planters from discarded theatre fragments.
 
A special shout-out to the dedicated Shubert Flea Market Team for all of the prep work in the months leading up to the big event and their top-notch performance the day of the event! Congratulations all around!
 
The Shubert Flea Market Team: Klancy Maples, Heather Fuentes, Diana Lounsbury, Eric Schwartz, Emma Deloso, Taryn Alianello, Austin Kunis, Kimberly Dyckman, and Sue Kisenwether (pictured below with Richard Ridge of Broadway World and Drew Squire from the cast of LEOPOLDSTADT).

I would like to offer congratulations to a member of our Shubert Security team, Leon Mossen on celebrating his 25th year safeguarding the Shubert Theatre backstage.  Leon also works as a part of security’s special detail team, covering such events as Stars in the Alley, Broadway Barks, too many opening night red carpets to count and will be returning to this year’s Holiday Party.
Here is a list of some of the productions that Leon has kept in his care while on his post backstage at the Shubert Theatre:
 
Some Like It Hot
Dec 11, 2022 – Present
 
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Apr 27, 2022 - Aug 14, 2022
 
To Kill a Mockingbird
Dec 13, 2018 - Jan 16, 2022
 
Hello, Dolly!
Apr 20, 2017 - Aug 25, 2018
 
Matilda The Musical
Apr 11, 2013 - Jan 01, 2017
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Here’s to you Leon and thanks for your service!!!

Psst? Have you heard the news? The Shubert Organization annual holiday party is back on!! As details are finalized, we'll be sure to announce it here.  Keep your eyes peeled and keep reading your Shubert Chronicles. 

Shu U Seminars kicked off back in August with a presentation on mindfulness, hosted by our very own Mental Health Employee Resource group H.O.M.E.

The goal of Shu U Seminars is to provide a resource for employees to learn and participate in conversations focused on concepts, ideas, and skills that can contribute to their current and future professional development. Shu U Seminars are intended to be a forum for Shubert employees to develop professionally, and personally. Seminars can be hosted by individuals, groups or entire departments within the company.
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If you would have an idea for a Shu U Seminar that you would like to host, please reach out Chanelle Cotton at [email protected]

​Sardi’s Restaurant has been synonymous with Broadway for over 100 years, known for its caricatures of movie and Broadway stars—and as a hangout spot for Broadway legends and the occasional Shubert staff happy hour. Right now there are over 1000 portraits, which line the walls of all four floors of the eatery, and on Friday, September 29, we were able to add another famous portrait to the milieu. Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning director and film producer, is now amongst the famous faces on the Sardi’s wall.  Click the link to hear a little of his speech, and get a sneak peek at his portrait.  

We are used to seeing stars on the Broadway stage, but do we know we also have stars off stage as well?  The American Theatre Wing honored several Shubert employees at Cipriani 42nd Street. They were honored as “Unsung Heroes of the Theatre industry”. This award focuses on members of the theatrical community who don’t often get the recognition they deserve. Please look at the photos below of our wonderful Shubert staff being honored. 
 
Kenny Nuñez
Theatre Manager – Shubert Theatre
Selected by J Harrison Ghee AND Ariana DeBose
 
Hank Hale
House Carpenter – Broadway Theatre
Selected by Danny Burstein
 
Verna Hobson
Usher – Winter Garden Theatre
Selected by Adrienne Warren

My favorite time of the year is upon us. I’m not talking about Spice Pumpkin Latte season; I’m talking about Halloween. Cue the creepy Vincent Price laugh at the end of Thriller. If that doesn’t sound familiar, Google it. You can thank me later.  So, what is it about Halloween that I love so much?  It is the candy, uhhh yeah. Is it the parade down in The Village? Sure is, but what I love the most is the ability to dress up as someone else.  With a costume I can transform into a French Maid, which I’ve done no less than three times, or the time I was a Go Green cheerleader. What? You don’t care about Mother Earth? As much fun as Halloween can be, it can also be rife with anxiety and trepidation about what custom to wear.  Can my child dress up as Moana? Can my child be the Black Panther?  Can I dress up as a La Catrina for the neighborhood party? Would that be cultural appropriation even though I appreciate the culture. How do I know the difference? Cultural appropriation is the inappropriate or unacknowledged adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture or identity. This can be especially controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from minority cultures. We have two videos below that further explain the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation.
Cultural appropriation myths debunked
Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation
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