Author: matthew.porter.2

When the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation for the Arts launched its Kynock Trips program bringing underserved youth to live performances for free in 2019, no one knew that theaters and concert halls would soon shut down and not resume normal operations for nearly three years.

The success of the 2019 pilot program, which brought a group of 25 young children from Boston to see The Frogs at the Boston Conservatory, earned us funding for more trips from Eastern Bank. However, it took us until the summer of 2022 to start bringing young people back to see live performances.

In 2022, we were able to fund a small contingent of families from South Boston and Dorchester to see 1776 at the American Repertory Theater. However, COVID vaccination protocols still made it difficult to bring a larger group to see a performance.

Finally, in May 2023, we were able to bring a group of 30 students from the all-girls Esperanza Academy in Lawrence to see Bud, Not Buddy at the Wheelock Family Theater in Boston. Funded in part by a generous gift from Eastern Bank, the trip provided an opportunity to see live theater in Boston free of charge. For many of the students it was their first time seeing live theater.

The teachers from Esperanza Academy said after the trip:

“We would not have had this opportunity without [the Kynock Foundation] and its hard work…The experience made a difference to our students and sparked a love of theater!”

The experience included a chance for the group to have a Q&A with the actors of the play.

The goal of the Kynock Trips is to help introduce more young people to the arts who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience live theater and music. The response to the trip from the students was exceptionally positive.

“I loved the sets and the performance. I don’t have a favorite because I love all of them!”

“We appreciate you planning our fun trip! We appreciate that the actors took the time to do the play and for the Q&A!”

“Thank you for planning and organizing our trip. I’m so happy and it was an amazing trip!”

The Kevin C. Kynock Foundation for the Arts thanks Eastern Bank for its generous support of this program.

The Kevin C. Kynock Foundation is proud to announce the 2022 BC High Kynock Scholar, Braden Misiaszek ’22. Braden’s acting career at Boston College High School spanned both the screen and the stage. He was also a dedicated member of the choir and received the Choir Award for his service to the organization. Braden will take his talents to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts this fall.

Braden’s nominating teacher, Owen Tinti-Kane, described him as a “steady and constant presence in the [theatre] department” and as a “calm, humble, and focused” member of the Dever Players. Braden was a prolific thespian, acting in stage shows both at BC High and elsewhere around Boston. Tinti-Kane wrote that Braden “represents the good of the Arts at BC High.”

We thank all of the donors who continue to support us so we can deliver this award in Kevin’s name to a passionate young artist each year.

On April 27, we took 25 boys and girls from the Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center in Mattapan, many who had never been to a live performance, to see Steven Sondheim’s “The Frogs” at the Boston Conservatory. Many had never been to see a live performance before.

The group not only had front-row seats for the performance, but were also able to ask questions to the show’s cast, directors, and choreographers. Pastor Judith Rejouis-Ministre described the trip after:

“My name is Pastor Judith Rejouis-Ministre and I am the youth pastor at the Nazarene Friends of the Humble, under the leadership of my Senior Pastor and founder Zephir Pierre-Louis. We have been blessed to be part of a wonderful initiative.

It was to accommodate, and give a theater experience to those that has never been able to see a live play. Our church services teens that are from immigrant parents and such idea would not have been a priority in their book. When [the Kynock Foundation] spoke to me about the project and gave us the opportunity to be part of it we felt privileged and honored. The teens welcomed the idea and looked forward for the day when they would attend the play.

On Saturday April 27th, 2019 they had there big day. The smile on each of their little faces was priceless. [The Kynock Foundation] went beyond by planning a meeting backstage with some of the cast and the director of the play. Our teens felt so special, for it is great to see a play live for the first time in your life but even greater to be able to pick the brain of the cast and see what inspired them to be in such industry. 

Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks for having giving such opportunity to be part of such a wonderful project.”

The program is a pilot initiative for what we hope will become a regular program that we can expand to fund more trips and experiences each year. Interested in supporting this initiative? Consider making a donation to our annual fund or contact Matt Porter at kynockfund@kynockfoundation.org to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Please join us for our First Annual Charity Dinner & Soiree benefiting the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation for the Arts!

Funds raised will go to support our annual Kynock Scholarship at Boston College High School, Commonwealth Shakespeare’s apprenticeship program, and other projects to help make the arts more accessible to young audiences.

Enjoy an evening of food, drink, and mingling (beer and wine provided)

Price per person*:

$40 if paid by May 17

$50 if paid after May 17

Tickets will be available at the door for $50.

All attendees will receive a special thank you gift for supporting our cause.

*We are asking ticket buyers to cover Eventbrite fees so more of your donation can go to supporting youth in the arts

2018 has been a great year! We gave out the first Kevin C. Kynock Award to a senior at Boston College High School and we continued to co-sponsor free Shakespeare on the Common by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston. Please consider making a donation to help us ensure our 2019 goals below!

In 2019, we hope to continue our mission including:

-Awarding the second Kevin C. Kynock Award including a $1,000 scholarship to the winner

-Starting a PILOT program to bring students who cannot afford to go to the theater to a show in Boston

-Continue supporting the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company which provides free Shakespeare performances on the Boston Common each year

Support us by donating here.

100% of the money raised will go to help support the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation for the Arts programs. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help us raise money to support our first ever Kynock Award given to a student at Boston College High School. The award will go to a junior student at BC High who has shown a commitment to the Arts either in music, theatre, or fine arts. Kevin Kynock spent almost four decades working as a teacher at BC High inspiring young artists to aspire to their goals. This award will reward a student in order to help them reach their artistic goals in high school and beyond.

Support us by donating here.

One hundred percent of the money raised will go to help support the Kevin C. Kynock Foundation for the Arts’ award programs.