The Queens Theatre honored Michael “Sully” Sullivan and The MBS Group during its annual gala event last week in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Sullivan, who previously worked in Washington D.C. in telecommunication and technology policy issues, began working for New York Mets owner and Point72 Asset Management CEO Steve Cohen in 2007 and now currently works as the billionaire’s chief of staff.
The MBS Group, a studio operator and production services company, provides the entertainment industry’s largest lighting and grip inventory, supporting more than 500 sound stages and serving over 900 film and television productions each year across 95 cities, 13 states, and seven countries.
“We are tremendously grateful for the opportunity to recognize our honorees, Michael ‘Sully’ Sullivan and The MBS Group, and look forward to continuing to collaborate with both,” Queens Theatre Executive Director Taryn Sacramone said.
In addition to his work with Cohen, Sullivan is also involved with multiple mental health non-profit organizations for veterans. This includes the Cohen Veterans Network, a national network of clinics that treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the Cohen Veterans Bioscience, which oversees the development of “next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics” to help detect and treat PTSD. Sullivan serves on the board and as the treasurer for both organizations.
The MBS Group also pursues efforts to increase “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in the industry, including its Illumination Training Program that looks to help students learn important skills and earn crew positions through its “network of studio facilities and equipment.
Aside from honoring Sullivan and the MBS Group, the gala also featured performances by MOMIX dance company, The Missing Element beatboxers and street dancers, and students from P.S. 199. The students received a standing ovation for their performances of “Superstar Student” and “CYUMF (Can You Understand My Feelings?),” two original pieces the students created during their participation in the Queens Theatre’s CASA (Center Stage) program.
Supported by the awards and performances, the goal of the night was to raise funds that will support Queens Theatre’s programming and make theater more accessible to children, seniors, and other patrons through class offerings and low ticket prices to future productions.
“Our board, staff, Gala Committee members, and the audience members and students we serve couldn’t be more grateful for the encouragement and generosity that our community showed us at the Gala. We were proud to recognize extraordinary leaders and to present magical, memorable performances for a full house of enthusiastic arts supporters,” Sacramone said. “It was an opportunity to reflect on our season and to move with momentum toward the year ahead!”
