Curtain's Up
2026 Gala Recap
Curtain’s Up: HSA Celebrates Broadway
Thank you for an unforgettable night in support of HSA’s students and programs.
$1.3M+
Raised for HSA’s Students & Programs
60+
HSA Students Took the Stage
“The night was a beautiful reflection of what makes HSA so special: talented young artists sharing their creativity, confidence, and passion with a community that believes in their potential.”
As we closed the books on HSA’s 2026 Gala Celebration, we were reminded once again why access to high-quality arts education can be truly life-changing. Together, our community raised more than $1.3 million in support of HSA’s students and programs — generosity that will help ensure young people continue to have access to transformative arts education, regardless of financial circumstance.
What has stuck with us most after the Gala is the sense of possibility that surrounds our students when they are fully supported and encouraged to pursue their artistic voices. HSA exists to ensure that talented young people have a place where their creativity is nurtured, their individuality is celebrated, and their futures are expanded. Thank you for helping make that vision real every single day.
James C. Horton
President & CEO, Harlem School of the Arts
Relive the Night
2026 Impact Snapshot
From Here You Can Go Anywhere — see what your support makes possible.
Watch the Gala Reel
A short reel capturing the joy, artistry, and energy of the evening.
About the Evening
A Broadway Celebration
On Friday, May 8, 2026, HSA hosted its Annual Benefit Gala at the iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. Guests were swept into the magic of New York’s legendary theatre district as the evening brought the spirit, excitement, and theatrical brilliance of Broadway center stage. Our remarkable students — guided by their dedicated instructors — transported the room into a world of bright lights, bold storytelling, and unforgettable musical moments that define Broadway’s legacy.
The evening included a sparkling reception, a show-stopping dinner and Gala program, and a high-energy after-party with decadent desserts and dancing, featuring the iconic D-Nice.
This year’s Gala celebrated the extraordinary legacy of artists, innovators, and visionary leaders, honoring:
Vanessa Bell Calloway
Actress, Director & Producer
Jeffrey Seller
Producer of Rent, Avenue Q, Hamilton, In the Heights
Robyn Coles & Dr. N. Anthony Coles
Robyn Coles, Tony Award–Winning Producer & Board Member of American Theatre Wing, and Dr. N. Anthony Coles, Global Healthcare Leader, Trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Council Chair of the Smithsonian NMAAHC
“You are why we are here tonight. … One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned: you must become comfortable being uncomfortable.”
— Robyn Coles, from her remarks to HSA students

Anjelica Kelly Watson & John Watson III
Anjelica Kelly Watson, Managing Director of Firm Strategy and Execution at Morgan Stanley, and John Watson III, Senior Managing Director, Tactical Opportunities at Blackstone
Thank You for Believing in Our Mission
We’re deeply grateful to have you as part of the HSA community, and we look forward to welcoming you to HSA in the months and years ahead.
Questions? Contact us at jkitt@hsanyc.org


















