Philanthropy in Phocus - Broadway in the Hamptons

Описание: Tommy DiMisa is back for the first Philanthropy in Phocus episode of 2026 with his trademark “day-in-the-life” energy—ringing in the new year, celebrating his 48th birthday, and broadcasting not from the attic this time, but from the worldwide headquarters of Vanguard Benefits. Along the way, he shares highlights from a packed week: supporting a Queens Chamber of Commerce nonprofit needs assessment with local leaders, jumping on calls about mission-driven work (including efforts supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people), and continuing to show up as “The Nonprofit Sector Connector” who helps organizations amplify their stories.

This week’s featured guest is *Tracy Mitchell**, Executive Director of **Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor (BayStreet.org)**. Tommy brings Tracy on because he’s intentionally challenging himself to learn more about the **arts and culture* space—especially as Bay Street Theater becomes a semi-finalist in the Long Island Imagine Awards. What follows is a lively, heartfelt conversation about the power of the arts to change moods, open minds, and build community. Tracy shares her remarkable path from being a child performer to producing work in television and film—including large-format projects like **Back to the Future: The Ride**, and an ABC primetime documentary special hosted by **Oprah**. Together, they reflect on how technology transformed storytelling, lowered the barrier to entry for creators, and expanded who gets to make and share meaningful work.

Tracy then pulls back the curtain on what makes Bay Street Theater special: it’s an *intimate 299-seat professional regional theater* that operates **year-round**, bringing in Broadway-level talent while producing new work and reimagining classics. She explains the scale of their summer season—multiple mainstage productions running eight shows a week—plus comedy, concerts, and special performances that keep the venue buzzing beyond the traditional theater calendar. One of the biggest missions Bay Street embraces is developing what’s next: supporting writers and artists through opportunities like their **New Works Festival**, where scripts are selected, performed by professional casts, and refined through audience Q&As. Tracy makes the case plainly: you don’t find “the next *Hamilton*” without taking chances on original work.

A centerpiece of the episode is Bay Street’s *Literature Live* program—created to ensure more students experience professional theater while they’re still in school. Tracy describes how the program adapts curriculum-connected books into 90-minute productions (with full sets, lighting, costumes, and professional actors), and brings middle and high school students in **for free**—schools just cover transportation. The real magic, she says, is what happens when students from different backgrounds watch the same story and take away different insights, sparking conversation, empathy, and connection. Tommy ties it back to the heart of the show: when art creates understanding, it strengthens community—and that’s nonprofit work in action.

To close, Tracy shares how listeners can help: *volunteer support (they need about 10 volunteers per night), donations, and community investment* keep the theater thriving, since ticket revenue covers only part of what it takes to operate. Tommy leaves the door wide open for future collaboration—hinting at an upcoming visit, tour, and promotional content to help Bay Street reach even more people. It’s a high-energy, feel-good episode that spotlights how arts organizations don’t just entertain—they educate, inspire, and create the shared experiences that hold communities together.