The Jacquin Philip Fink ‘54 Center for the Performing Arts
Creativity, imagination, out-of-the-box thinking, improvisation, collaboration, communication, teamwork, adaptability, discipline, resiliency, and taking the initiative—Harvard’s Tony Wagner has identified these attributes as essential for highly successful 21st century leaders and global citizens. When Professor Wagner spoke to our faculty last year, we realized Poly’s performing arts program strongly fosters the development of these very skills every day. The arts, both visual and performing, have long been integral to our curriculum, a vital leg in the three-legged stool of academics, arts, and athletics. But, never in Poly’s history has our arts program and the quality of instruction been stronger and the talent of our students so exceptional. Recognizing the excellence of the school’s performing arts (dance, drama, vocal, and instrumental music), Trustee and Poly alumnus Jacquin Fink ’54 has made an extraordinary lead gift of $1,000,000 to spearhead our campaign to build a new Performing Arts Center. Now, with drawings and plans in hand, we are ready to go. We ask for your help in joining Jack to achieve our exciting vision for this crucial project by the fall of 2014. With your support, we will build a space that will provide new, state-of-the-art rehearsal and practice rooms, freeing up much needed space for additional classrooms in our main building, and make a dramatic statement about the centrality of the arts at Poly. Most importantly, the new center will enhance our ability to teach 21st century skills even as our students experience great joy and fun in the process.
David B. Harman P’04, ‘06 Headmaster
The first time I met Jack he was laughing with his classmates, regaling stories of their days at Poly. That was 10 years ago. And, it has been for 10 years that I have been lucky enough to hear those stories of how Poly molded and enriched his life. Jack’s unbridled enthusiasm and love of Poly is infectious and inspiring. Poly is blessed to have such a remarkable and dedicated man share his legacy. And, I am honored to know him and call him my friend. Lisa Della Pietra ‘86 and Jack Fink ‘54 at the Homecoming 2012 Spirit Award Reception
Lisa Della Pietra ‘86 Associate Director of Development — Director of Alumni Relations and Alumni Poly Fund
Together we achieve great things. Let’s make the performing arts wing possible. This is your opportunity to lift tomorrow’s voices. The contribution you make today will have a lasting impact. Dedicated spaces will acknowledge your gift and serve as a reminder to our young artists and their teachers of the pride their community has in them. To be a part of this capital project, please contact me at (718) 836-4018.
Steven W. Andersen ‘71, P’13, ‘22 Associate Head of School for Advancement & Operations
Lower School 2012 Winter Concert
When passion inspires giving Jack Fink’s ’54 deep-rooted passion for the performing arts inspired his lead gift of $1 million to Poly’s new performing arts wing, now called The Jacquin Philip Fink ‘54 Center for the Performing Arts. This new center is designed to substantially enhance a program that has a long tradition of training excellent performers in music, theater, and dance. The center will also support top-quality teachers, student creativity, teamwork, and self-expression. The Jacquin Philip Fink ‘54 Center for the Performing Arts represents Poly’s continuing commitment to the creativity and courage of our talented students. This center will further Poly’s arts curriculum, providing students with everything they need to discover and hone their abilities in choral and instrumental music, dance, stage acting, and musical theater.
“I’ve been going to the theater all of my life.” Jack Fink ‘54 has been involved in a number of organizations dedicated to the performing arts. In 1983, for example, he founded New York Musical Theater Works, an organization devoted to developing composers, lyricists, and librettos, and was Chairman of its Board for five years. In 1994, he became Chairman of the Board of the New Group, a contemporary theater group, where he served for two years. In that leadership role, he was responsible for fundraising and hiring artistic directors, overseeing budgets, and approving productions. He still finds time to support other theater organizations such as the Actors Fund, American Jack Fink ’54
Theatre Wing, and the Caron Foundation.
After learning more about Poly’s commitment to the arts and Poly’s plan to create a new performing arts wing, Fink decided to make a generous and visionary $1 million gift to “get this project off the ground.” “It seemed like the perfect time, too.” After all, Hallie, the granddaughter of Fink’s companion, acclaimed soprano “Jo” Sullivan Loesser, widow of award-winning Broadway musical composer, Frank Loesser, is currently in Poly’s Middle School. “It would be wonderful to see her perform in these new spaces,” Fink said.
Middle Schooler performs her solo in the 2012 Winter Arts Festival Concert
A walkway will parallel the Performing Arts Wing with a rhythmic colonnade, and continue along the west wing, unifying the existing architecture while sheltering students on the move. Under its roof, an expanded and newly renovated entrance to the theater will provide an inviting space for audiences to enjoy as they await first-class student performances. Along with two multi-media electronic music studios, large spaces on the upper level will give prominence to the performing arts program by making room for vocal and instrumental learning and rehearsal.
Notable Poly Alumni in the Performing Arts Noah Aberlin ’00, Singer, actor, and dancer Robert Brown ’02, Actor (Finding Forrester, Coach Carter, and The Dark Knight Rises) Bruce Charet ‘81, Independent producer Robert Cort ‘64, Emmy Award-winning film producer Rebecca Feldman ’90, Actress and director, received Tony nomination for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Best Musical Dan Fogler ’94, Actor and Tony Award-winner for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Leah Horowitz ’97, Actress (Les Miserables on Broadway and Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway) Doug Jabara ’84, Professional baritone Howard Levy ’69, Musician and Grammy Award-winner (with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones) Aaron Matthews ‘89, Award-winning documentary filmmaker Lauren Perilli ’00, Dancer Richard Perry ’60, Grammy Award-winning record producer Glen Roven ’75, Emmy Award-winning composer and musician Bonnie Somerville ’91, Actress (Friends, The O.C., and Cashmere Mafia)
Afternoon of Student Choreography 2013
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE
PAID BROOKLYN, NY
9216 Seventh Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11228
PERMIT NO. 944