ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE: Students from Trenton’s Foundation Academies were treated to a performance of the play “Primary Trust” at McCarter Theatre on May 15. Princeton resident Lance Liverman, standing third from right, sponsored the graduating seniors.
By Anne Levin
A theater buff since his childhood in Princeton’s Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, Lance Liverman has been a fan of McCarter Theatre as far back as he can remember. This past spring, the former Princeton Councilman decided to introduce that experience of live theater to a group of Trenton students who might not have otherwise had the chance.
Liverman and his wife sponsored tickets to the play Primary Trust by Eboni Booth for 25 students from Trenton’s Foundation Academies charter school. His childhood friend Charles Phox, who happens to be McCarter’s sales concierge, arranged to accommodate several more. The students attended a matinee on May 15, followed by a discussion with Julie Felise Dubiner, McCarter’s dramaturg; and Donya K. Washington, BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle associate artistic director.
“My wife and I decided to do something out of the ordinary and sponsor this trip to the theater,” Liverman said. “We go all the time. We wanted them to see something they wouldn’t normally get to see. I purchased 25 tickets, and almost 40 kids wanted to come. So they came up with the rest, which was amazing.”
Primary Trust tells the story of a middle-aged man who is adrift after being laid off from his job in a bookstore. With the help of friends, he is able to confront his traumatic past and rebuild a life through friendship and trust.
The young scholars appreciated the chance to ask Dubiner and Washington questions about the production and its themes.
“It was about serious things, but had a hopeful ending,” said senior Jay’Lah Oliver. “It reminds us that life goes on. Change is inevitable but maybe it’s going to be okay.”
Founded in 2007, Foundation Academies educates more than 1,100 students from kindergarten through grade 12. The school boasts a 100 percent college acceptance rate and ranks in the 85th percentile among all New Jersey schools. The school’s CEO Sheria McRae was happy the students had the opportunity to attend the play.
“As a former English teacher, I value good story telling,” she said. “Live theater not only tells a story but also engages the audience in ways that screens cannot.”
In addition to tickets, Liverman provided a spread from McCaffrey’s Market for the students, who ate the lunch in a private room at the theater before viewing the performance.
“They were so appreciative of all of it,” he said. “They really enjoyed the play, because it was thought-provoking. It worked out great, and I would do it again.”
Liverman said he first learned of Foundation Academies in its earliest days from a friend, who asked him if he wanted to help out.
“I said I didn’t have the time,” he recalled. “But since then, I’ve gotten involved. And there is nothing like it. Their programming is one-on-one with each child, and the mentorship they have is amazing.”