Random Farms Theater Honors Late Scarsdale Teen With Scholarship

SCARSDALE, N.Y. – Each year the Random Farms Kids’ Theater remembers Scarsdale’s Alanna Calder, who died in 2009 from leukemia, by awarding a scholarship to a student who shares her passion for theater.

Pelham's Felicia Messina, 15, wins the 2013 Alanna Calder scholarship at the Random Farms Kids' Theater Spring Sunset Gala.
Photo Credit: *Random Farms Kids' Theater*

(From L to R) Random Farms Kids' Theater directors Alexis Grausz, Danielle Roth, and Julie Schwartz Webb pose with producer Anya Wallach, costume mistress Terri Canziani and director Natalie Gray.
Photo Credit: *Random Farms Kids' Theater*

Kathleen Durkee, of Rye, Sarah White, of Scarsdale, Annie Whelan, of Bedford Hills, and Tracey Bryggman, of Katonah made up the gala committee.
Photo Credit: *Random Farms Kids' Theater*

Keynote speakers included Jasmine and Rebecca Canziani, both 18. They are twins from Chappaqua who are graduating from Random Farms' Mainstage programs with plans to major in theater arts in college.
Photo Credit: *Random Farms Kids' Theater*

Miguel Garcia, 15, of Ossining spoke about his experiences performing in Random Farms shows, which were made possible with the help of tuition scholarships.
Photo Credit: *Random Farms Kids' Theater*

by Brian Donnelly

05/07/2013 6:30 p.m.

Calder passed away at the age of 12. She was active in the Elmsford theater’s productions. This year, Pelham’s Felicia Messina, 15, was awarded the scholarship at the 2013 Spring Sunset Gala at the Ritz Carlton Hotel’s Restaurant 42 in White Plains.

"I am just so honored and pleased to be chosen for this," Messina said in a statement. "This was a total surprise."

The annual gala raises funds for scholarships in that school year, said Anya Wallach, founder of the Random Farms Kids’ Theater.

"We are so pleased with the turnout and are very grateful for our donors' support,” she said. “The gala not only raises funds for scholarships for the 2013-2014 school year, but it also provides an opportunity for our parents to get to know each other outside of the hurried carpool routine, picking up and dropping off at rehearsals in our Elmsford studio or performances at the Tarrytown Music Hall.”

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