IN PERPETUITY: Former McCarter Theatre Special Programming Director William W. Lockwood Jr., seen at right, has made a transformative planned gift to the organization. Current Programming Director Paula Abreu is shown at left.
McCarter Theatre Center’s Executive Director Martin Miller recently announced that, through McCarter’s Legacy Giving program, the Theatre’s former director of special programming, William (“Bill”) W. Lockwood Jr., has made a significant planned gift via the Princeton Area Community Foundation to support the director of presented programming position at McCarter in perpetuity.
In recognition of this generosity, Lockwood’s former position, now held by Paula Abreu, will be designated the William Lockwood Jr. Chair.
“From my first day at McCarter, Bill has been a steadfast supporter of my work. In the three years since, I have come to know his deep love and devotion to McCarter, and we have developed a bond rooted in mutual respect and admiration. I am inspired by his generosity and honored to carry forward the legacy he has entrusted with this gift,” said Abreu.
Lockwood’s association with McCarter spans more than 60 years, beginning as a Princeton University undergraduate (Class of 1959) booking events out of his dorm room. Over his many decades, he curated thousands of performers, championing emerging artists who went on to become household names and helping shape McCarter’s reputation as a leading venue for the performing arts.
“Mention Bill’s name and you will inevitably earn a warm smile and, usually, a wonderful story in reply,” said Miller. “As we move towards McCarter’s 100th Anniversary, we are humbled by Bill’s faith in this company’s future. Planned gifts toward McCarter’s endowment provide a sustaining source of funds and help us enduringly honor a donor’s legacy. Though Bill’s legacy was already secure at McCarter, this commitment adds an exclamation point — and underline — to his 60 years of tireless work on behalf of this community.”
For more information about McCarter’s Legacy Giving program, contact Allison Whitehall, director of leadership and planned giving, at awhitehall@mccarter.org or (609) 258-4646.