Primary Stages FALL Gala

Monday, October 5, 2026

at Sony Hall (235 W 46th Street, New York, NY)

Cocktail hour 6pm | Dinner & Performances 7pm

The Primary Stages Gala is the largest fundraiser of our season, and its income provides critical support for our free educational programs benefiting over 1,000 teens and teachers annually.

The Einhorn Mentorship Award is awarded each year to someone in the Primary Stages community who has been a true mentor and inspiration to those who work with them. Past recipients include Carl Andress, Charles Busch, Judy Gold, Adam Gwon, Kate Hamill, Marla Persky, Thom Sesma, Kimberly Senior, Jeanine Tesori, and Sharon Washington.

Created in memory of Primary Stages’ late Artistic Director Andrew Leynse, the Andrew Leynse Commitment to New Plays Award is given annually to a member of the Primary Stages community who has been a dedicated champion of new plays and new playwrights. The inaugural award was given in 2023 to theater agent Beth Blickers, followed by The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation and Mickey Rolfe.

For more information or to purchase tickets or tables for the event, please contact the Development Department at 212.840.9705 x214 or gala@primarystages.org.

More info

Our 2025 Gala honored Thom Sesma and Mickey Rolfe with performances by Andrew Durand (Dead Outlaw), Judy Gold (Yes, I Can Say That!), Julia Knitel (Dead Outlaw), Zachary Noah Piser (Redwood), A.J. Shively (Paradise Square), David Van Tieghem (“Late Show with David Letterman”), D’Kaylah Unique Whitley (Dear Evan Hansen), and Natasha Yvette Williams (Wicked).