TDF Champions

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 1,400 seats were filled with eager students, teachers and chaperones for TDF's final Introduction to Theatre matinee of the six-time Tony Award-winning Kinky Boots. The electricity in the house was palpable as many sang along and cheered for Lola, the high-kicking drag queen and footwear designer.

Chaperone Simon E. had the following to say about the experience: "I had the good fortune to chaperone a school trip of 200 Simon Baruch Middle School students to see Kinky Boots, courtesy of TDF. I have never witnessed a Broadway audience reacting with such unbridled joy. I can only imagine how gratifying it must have been for the performers. At the end of each act, the boy next to me breathlessly exclaimed, 'This is the best show EVER!' For a recent immigrant whose parents do not speak English (and who apparently had not ventured into Manhattan from Brooklyn for the past two years), it was clearly a wonderful and mind-blowing experience. 'I know I’m going to dream about this tonight!' he told me. Judging from the sound of the audience, I think he was speaking for most of the children there, whatever their backgrounds. The Introduction to Theatre Program is great, and I thank you for continuing it!"

Over the past six years, TDF has offered seven full house performances of Kinky Boots to 10,000 students. We also honored the production at our 2017 Gala. The show took its last bow on April 7, 2019. We thank the cast and crew for the life-changing memories over the years.

"The final full house of Kinky Boots was magical," enthused Ginger Bartkoski Meagher, Director of TDF Education Programs. "The show has been a gift to work with and teach to—a joyful journey about authenticity and empathy, perfect subject matter to workshop in classrooms."

Photos by Jeremy Daniel, Patrick Keohane, and Anita and Steve Shevett.

Updates from TDF for our Champions. Thank you for playing a pivotal role in our mission to make art accessible to all.