Trustey Family Theatre Dedication Celebrates Legacy
On the rainy Thursday evening of May 5, a community came together for the dedication of the Trustey Family Theatre. Situated inside the Lawrence A. Griffin Center for Creativity—the namesake of Shore’s longtime Head of School—the dedication of the theatre honored another important name, that of a special family that has been a great friend to Griffin’s own, to Shore, and to causes across the region.
Joe Trustey served as a member of and then President of Shore’s Board of Trustees from 2011 until 2015. His daughters Claire and Anna were exemplary scholars, athletes, artists, and performers while students at Shore. Mother Kris was their biggest supporter, a tireless fundraiser, and friend to countless students, parents, faculty, and staff. Then as now, the Trustey family was known well beyond the Shore community for their significant presence and selfless generosity in North Shore educational, philanthropic, artistic, and social causes.
In the summer of 2015, this beloved family suffered the loss of father and daughter, Joe and Anna. Tragically, the two died in a plane crash near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while making a college visit for Anna, who was a rising senior at the Brooks School and a Shore graduate of the Class of 2013.
Thousands attended services for Joe and Anna at Gordon College and at Shore, where many spoke of the the impact the family's generosity has made across the region. Head of School Larry Griffin also praised Joe Trustey’s leadership as Shore’s Board President: Trustey’s strategic vision, said Griffin, became the driving force behind the launch of the $20 million campaign that built the Center for Creativity.
May 5, nearly one year later, in the magnificent Center that is in many ways Joe Trustey’s legacy at Shore, Griffin spoke again about the family’s impact on the school.
“Kris and Joe led the way for our community in making a major commitment that would build momentum for the largest campaign in the history of Shore. Their gift was from the heart, and it has forever transformed the life of our school.” The Center’s state-of-the-art 375-seat theatre, visual arts studios, music rooms, gallery space, and “Innovation Lab” have indeed made Shore a leader in creative education on the North Shore.
It seems only fitting that the Trustey name is now prominent at the entrance to the stunning theatre, recognizing the family’s leadership and philanthropy where their impact is most evident. As Griffin explained, Shore’s theatre facility not only makes possible the professional-quality stage productions for which the school is known, but also elevates school meetings, rehearsals, academic presentations, holiday concerts, and guest performances and lectures.
“The Trusteys’ real legacy,” said Griffin, “is the gift of togetherness, allowing our school to join in celebrating creative aspiration and achievement like never before. Countless children and their families will benefit from the Trusteys’ generosity for decades to come.”
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Kris Trustey (right) with daughter Claire and Head of School Larry Griffin
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The Trustey Family Theatre
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More than 400 faculty, staff, alumni, parents, family, and friends attended.
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Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.