WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westco Productions. October 8, 2005: Diane Hadley, the Production Manager-Director of Westco’s after-school Creative Theater Workshop program at the Thomas H. Slater Center in White Plains since its founding by Westco Productions, was honored for her work before over 300 persons at the Westchester Broadway Theatre September 26. Representatives of the Cab Calloway Foundation presented Ms. Hadley with the Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Award.
Slater Center's Theatre Impressario for ten years, Diane Hadley, center, Westco Pioneer, Honored with Cab Calloway Award at Westchester Broadway Theatre, with Steven Sledzik, President of Westco's Board, and Susan Katz, Executive Director of Westco. Photo, Courtesy, Westco Productions.
Steven Sledzik, Westco’s Board President and Susan Katz, Westco’s Founder and Executive Director accompanied Diane to the stage and praised her for her many accomplishments.
“Diane has made it possible for more than 600 children ages 7-15 from low income families in White Plains to participate in and learn about the performing arts through this afterschool program,” Ms. Katz said. “She is not only a professional teacher of the arts for children, but also a warm, sincere person who loves the children and the opportunity to make them shine.”
The Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Awards are meant to honor Mr. Calloway’s commitment to excellence in the performing arts as well as his dedication and support for young, rising talent. The recipients are chosen to be recognized for their body of work, dedication and contribution to some aspect of the performing arts in the Westchester area. The honorees are chosen from a roster of submissions made by previous honorees, the Cab Calloway Foundation and ordinary persons.
Cab Calloway was a longtime resident of Elmsford, New York, (approximately 35 years). His career spanned at least six decades and was highlighted by his work on stage, film, television and the recording industry.
Ms. Hadley started with the Westco/Slater program at its beginning ten years ago when Susan Katz saw the need to provide children who would otherwise be unable to participate in or be exposed to this type of cultural/educational program with the opportunity to learn about the performing arts.
The Westco/Slater program has been funded for the past 10 years by the City of White Plains through its Community Development Block Grant program. The program also provides literacy assistance and homework help. The children meet three days per week after school and rehearse for a play, which is then presented to family, friends and the community. For more information on the program, call 914-761-7463.
