SACSS Reception, Musical & Fundraiser

Saturday, October 17, 2026 @ McCarter Theatre Center Join SACSS for a special evening of community, culture, and philanthropy as we celebrate an exciting new chapter for South Asian arts and service. This year marks a significant milestone for SACSS as we outreach into New Jersey for the first time, building on more than 26 years of serving underserved South Asian and other communities across New York. We are proud to partner with McCarter Theatre Center for its presentation of A Beat of Our Own, the theater’s first-ever South Asian musical. Together, we celebrate the power of storytelling, cultural representation, and community impact while raising critical support for SACSS programs that empower vulnerable individuals and families throughout our region.

Featured Performance

A Beat of Our Own From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown comes a vibrant new musical comedy that immerses audiences in the pulsating rhythms, kaleidoscopic colors, and infectious energy of competitive bhangra dance. After leading their college team to victory at the Michigan State Championships, teammates Mary and Preeti are headed to Nationals. But when a disagreement over artistic vision divides them, Mary sets out to create a new team from scratch. With the help of her spirited roommate Sunita, a former Bollywood star, and a cast of unlikely recruits who have never danced before, she embarks on a journey of resilience, friendship, and self-discovery. Directed by Stafford Arima, with choreography by Rujuta Vaidya, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, and a book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, this uplifting new musical celebrates the beauty of diversity, the strength found in community, and the joy that emerges when people come together through creativity and understanding. Join fellow supporters, community leaders, and friends for an evening celebrating culture, impact, and the transformative power of storytelling; as we celebrate two important milestones: SACSS’s outreach into New Jersey and McCarter’s historic presentation of its first South Asian musical.

Celebrating community through the arts.