Wednesday, February 2, 2022
by Elisa Zuckerberg, Founder of HearItThere
I was introduced to Stefanie May, Marketing Director of the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, several years ago. HearItThere needed more robust and contemporary listings and wanted to include their music events on HearItThere.com. I suggested that May publish the theater’s events on the site. We later met at the theater’s re-opening and Capitol Family Tiles dedication ceremony in September ’21. (You can read all about it in HearItThere Blog: “Port Chester’s The Capitol Theatre Reopens With a Bang!” – September 15, 2021)
I knew that Stefanie was a dedicated marketing professional, but didn’t know about her passion project until recently. In 2020, being a community-minded and wanting to give back, Stefanie developed and established “The Cap Cares Volunteer Reward Program.” The purpose of #TheCapCares effort is to engage music fans in serving their communities, encouraging music fans to come together to make a difference in the lives of others.
The volunteer program promotes food drives, toy drives, and fundraising campaigns aimed at improving lives within the local community. As a thank you for their time, volunteers earn free concert tickets to select performances.
Shannon Cosgrove, Senior Account Executive of Shore Fire Media, enthusiastically described Stefanie May’s #TheCapCares successes.
“When Stefanie May took on the role of Marketing Director at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, she knew she wanted to make a difference. Beyond selling out shows with successful marketing campaigns from Tame Impala & Kacey Musgraves to Elvis Costello & Cheap Trick, Stefanie created “The Cap Cares” volunteer rewards program that has made a tremendous impact on the local community.”
👐Stefanie hand-picked volunteer opportunities last September and October, from gardening to sorting medical supplies, that community members could pick from and receive free concert tickets for their hard work.
👐After seven weeks, Stefanie gathered 192 volunteers across 18 events from 11 non-profit organizations, with 475 hours of service.
👐Stefanie is working to make the volunteer program part of a larger year-round program that will promote food drives, toy drives, and fundraising campaigns aimed at improving lives within the venue’s community.
👐She worked with Westchester County companies like Afya Foundation, which “rescues unused medical supplies and equipment and humanitarian goods to help those in need around the world,” the non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization Our New Way Garden, which educates the public about locally and naturally grown food, and the Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, which is dedicated to the development and advancement of sustainable agriculture.
👐Due to the devastating effect that COVID-19 had on the live music industry, Stefanie also volunteered for the National Independent Venue Association to pass the Save Our Stages Act in December 2020.
Marketing Director Stefanie May tells HearItThere more about #TheCapCares program
I really wanted to know more about Stefanie’s motivation behind creating and managing this volunteer program. Thankfully, she answered my questions in earnest.
Stefanie May, The Capitol Theatre’s Marketing Director
1. What year did you become Marketing Director?
Like so many in the music industry, I started my career as an intern. By trying to get as much relevant work experience as possible, my internship at The Capitol Theatre was a great steppingstone to a permanent job. I began my full-time role at The Capitol Theatre as “Social Media & Marketing Coordinator” in 2014. In 2015, I became “Marketing Manager” and I was promoted to “Marketing Director” in 2016.
2. After becoming Marketing Director you created #TheCapCares program. Why?
We feel it’s our responsibility and privilege to have a positive impact on the surrounding communities. We want to be a venue that fosters community and champions local causes while getting music lovers involved and energized to do some good in the world.
3. How did you get volunteers?
We’re lucky to have a very engaged community on social media, word of mouth, and our e-mail list. By promoting #TheCapCares via e-mail and social, we immediately saw sign-ups for volunteer opportunities. It was really inspiring!
4. Why is volunteering so important to you?
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community. Giving back can be done in so many ways. I know it can be hard to make a monetary donation, so why not give some of your time. It could be volunteering at a local event, helping a neighbor, even the smallest, good deed can positively impact the community.
5. What can you use help with now?
We are searching for volunteer events this spring and summer. We’d love to get in touch and learn how The Cap’s community can help your local organization. Please feel free to reach out and let’s do some good together!
To Volunteer CONTACT: thecapcares@thecapitoltheatre.com
Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, The Capitol Theatre is located 30 miles from NYC. The 2,000-capacity theater, known as “the original rock palace,” showcased legends such as Traffic, The Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones. Jerry Garcia called it one of his two favorite venues in the USA. In 2012, the theatre underwent a major renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro. Since then, it has hosted major performers including Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, Skrillex, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, and Willie Nelson, as well as comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. The New York Times raves: “A rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate.”
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