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Hip to Hip Theatre Co. adds film star to board

Hip to Hip Theatre Co. adds film star to board
By Kevin Zimmerman

Queens-based Hip to Hip Theatre Co. recently announced the addition of Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe to its board of directors.

“It is a perfect fit, and I jumped at the chance when our managing director, Guy Ventoliere, brought the idea to me,” said Artistic Director Jason Marr. “Gabourey’s experience and her integrity as an artist make her ideal for Hip to Hip’s Board of Directors, where her unique perspective will have a welcome voice as we navigate the next stage of our development.”

Sidibe made her acting debut in the 2009 film “Precious,” a role that brought her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Since this breakout performance, Sidibe has worked nonstop in film and television. From 2010 to 2013, she was a main cast member of the Showtime series “The Big C,” and she is currently in the third season of “American Horror Story.”

A native of Bedford Stuyvesant, Sidibe grew up in Harlem. Her love of acting was born in the Bronx, when she got the opportunity to perform multiple roles in “Peter Pan” with Lehman College’s summer theatre program, Summerworx.

“I wholeheartedly endorse Hip to Hip’s belief that great plays and great performances can change lives,” Sidibe said.

Hip to Hip is now in its eighth season of touring free, family-friendly professional theater to public parks in under-served communities throughout Queens and the Metro New York area.

Sidibe joins Marr and the rest of the current Hip to Hip board members Nina Szarkowski Jones, Daren Kelly, Joy Marr and Katie O’Sullivan.