Our Time, which serves as an artistic home for young people who stutter, allows youth to express themselves and overcome challenges through theatre. The gala raises funds to support the organization's programs.
The 2013 gala honored music legend Mel Tillis, whose achievements as a person who stutters "inspire the youth of Our Time's programs to live out their dreams."
The event featured performances and presentations by Rachel Dratch ("Saturday Night Live"), Gina Gershon (Bye Bye Birdie), Judy Gold, Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), Richard Kind (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Tony nominee Amy Ryan (A Streetcar Named Desire), David Strathairn (The Heiress) and more, alongside the youth of Our Time's programs. A dinner and auction follows.
The organization also presents the Budd Mayer Advocacy Award to speech-language pathologist Dr. Phil Schneider for "his exceptional dedication to supporting people who stutter and their families" and a special commendation for exemplary leadership to Saadiq Wicks, the 11-year-old founder and director of "LLLet Me Finish," an extension of Our Time that promotes awareness about stuttering and raises money to send kids in need to Camp Our Time.
