Mount Vernon honored its rich past during an Oct. 19 rededication of the auditorium at the Nellie A. Thornton School of the Performing Arts for Phylicia Rashad, during its inaugural “In Celebration of the Arts” 2019 gala.
The event was held on at the school’s newly renovated 1,685-seat Wood Auditorium, which was renamed The Phylicia Rashad Auditorium. Rashad is an avid supporter of the Mount Vernon City School District, a Mount Vernon resident and philanthropist. She is a renowned Emmy-nominated, Tony Award-winning actress and director.
“Today is not only a great day for the city of Mount Vernon and the school district, but for all of our students who are represented today,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Hamilton. “Today we pay homage to one of the great treasures of our city and our nation, America’s mom, Ms. Phylicia Rashad. Today we have been brought together to re-establish Mount Vernon as the beacon of hope for the arts.”
In Celebration of the Arts 2019 – a production orchestrated by Dr. Evelyn Collins, principal of the Thornton School of the Performing Arts – was an afternoon of 19 performances from Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera, film, television and recording industry artists, as well as students from the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet Program.
Entertainers included Lillias White, Natasha Williams, Geoffrey Owens, Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Frankie Faison, Jeff Redd, Stephen Henderson, Eli Fountain, Angela Hall, Dormeshia Edwards, Eve Soto, Alvin Waddles, Priscilla Baskerville, James Alexander, Antonio Watts, Patience Higgins, Tanya Mack, Stanley Wayne Mathis and Calvin Jones. There were also performances from the Arts Magnet Orchestra, the Arts Magnet Band and the Arts Magnet Tap Dancers, as well as performers from the school’s performances from the last few years.
“Thank you to my friends and artists for all the years and for coming,” said Rashad. “We’ve been looking forward to this incredible afternoon… Thank you so much. And thank you, Dr. Collins; and thank you, Dr. Hamilton, for your support of the arts and these children. It takes a village, right? This is the village.”
Afterward, Hamilton looked at the Board of Trustees and said: “Without them, tonight would not have been possible. Thank you for supporting this vision.” He then turned to Rashad and said, “Phylicia, these are the faces of the children who will grace this stage in your honor for years and years to come.”
“We appreciate everyone who came out to support our presentation in the Mount Vernon City School District and support our beautiful, beautiful children,” added Collins. “As a child I was just like them, so I feel very honored that I’ve been afforded the opportunity to create this institution for all the beautiful children of Mount Vernon.”
The event culminated with an unveiling by Hamilton of a 2-foot-by-3-foot bronze plaque officially dedicating the auditorium as The Phylicia Rashad Auditorium, alongside Rashad and the Mount Vernon Board of Trustees.
