Gala Evening Planned for April 23, 2009

Jaclyn Linetsky Performing Arts Program to be

launched at St. George’s School of Montreal

Family, friends and the community will come together on Thursday, April 23 (6:30 p.m.) at the Just for Laughs Museum (2111 Saint-Laurent Boulevard), for a gala evening titled A Night of Stars, to inaugurate and raise funds for the Jaclyn Linetsky Performing Arts Program housed at the St. George’s School of Montreal. 

The gala fundraiser, organized by the Linetsky family, will celebrate Jaclyn’s love and passion for the performing arts while raising funds for a program and school that enabled the young actress to thrive in a nurturing environment. Jaclyn’s tragic death more than five years ago left a void in the hearts of many of her classmates and profoundly touched the community.

“Jaclyn’s passion and commitment for the performing arts and her innate desire to instil her love for the performing arts in others will live on in the Jaclyn Linetsky Performing Arts Program,” said Larry Linetsky, Jaclyn’s father.

“St. George's School of Montreal provided Jaclyn with a solid education, rich in the arts, and a strong support system that encouraged her talent,” added her mother, Terry. “Our goal is to offer similar opportunities to other students.”

Additional funds raised will enable further development of the program to include a Summer Theatre Camp, a scholarship program to entice talented students into the programs and a bursary program to enable deserving students to attend St. George’s who might not have the necessary financial means.  Tickets for the gala evening are $150 each while major sponsors are being sought in $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 categories. Donations in any amount are appreciated. The evening will feature cocktails and entertainment, including former cast members from the show 15/Love, which debuted on YTV and is now being airing in 72 countries around the world.

Backgrounder on the late Jaclyn Linetsky

Universally adored as the English voice of cartoon character Caillou (for which she also recorded an album), Jaclyn also had legions of fans for her voiceover work on numerous shows, including Kit and Kaboodle, Mega Babies, Tommy and Oscar, Kids from Room 402, Daft Planet and What’s With Andy? She also had a part in the motion picture Kart Racer, starring Randy Quaid. Getting her start on stage at the age of eight, she began doing voiceovers when she was 11 in a radio milk ad. She later starred in a string of radio and TV commercials. But it was her role in 15/Love, a tween comedy drama about a group of gifted athletes at a tennis academy which had her headed for stardom. At the age of 17 she earned one of the leading roles as “A” overachiever Megan O’Connor. On September 8, 2003 she and co-star Vadim  Schneider were being driven to the set  by a hired driver when the vehicle went out of control. Both teenagers were killed.  They appeared in the first 11 episodes of the series. When officials from Gala Films met with the grieving families it was agreed to write their deaths into the script.

Larry and Terry Linetsky note that 15/Love producer Paola Barzman told them on the set of their show that Jaclyn, affectionately referred to as “Muffin” by family and friends, was headed for a bright future in the performing arts. Barzman was particularly affected by the deaths of Jaclyn and Schneider, not only because of his closeness to them with the show. But he too had lost a child prematurely.

The Linetsky’s point out that despite her charged schedule, Jaclyn never missed a St. George’s production nor a school assignment. As the family mourned they also felt strongly about establishing a legacy for Jaclyn. They were approached by a number of organizations who had proposals to memorialize her.  However, this had to be the right fit. That is why Larry and Terry settled on the St. George’s Performing Arts Program, which already had an excellent reputation and a connection to their late daughter. She had graduated from the school, where she was class valedictorian, only months prior to her death.

“Jaclyn’s present and future was in the arts,” says Larry. “For her, after CEGEP there was only one place she wanted to go and that was the Julliard School for Performing Arts in New York City.”

The Linetsky’s already fund an annual scholarship which goes to a St. George’s student who excels in drama each year. Having the program named after Jaclyn was a logical next step. The Linetsky’s also donated a machine that can detect hearing problems in her memory to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and successfully lobbied the Quebec government to undertake a formal Coroner’s Inquest into the accident that took her life.

The Linetsky’s have two other children, son Derek and daughter Kelly. Since Jaclyn’s death Kelly and her husband Marc Choran have had two children: Jackson Miles, named after Jaclyn and new baby Parker Brady.

A Night of Stars

A Night of Stars will feature music, song, dance, comedy and monologues – all of the things Jaclyn loved. The committee for A Night of Stars is headed by the Linetsky family and a close group of their family and friends.  Among the talent confirmed for the gala evening is soprano Sharon Azrieli, who was Jaclyn’s voice teacher and several members of the cast of 15/Love.

Sponsorships and Donations

The overall objective for the Jaclyn Linetsky Performing Arts Program is to raise $100,000. As the April 23 gala draws near, the Linetskys report that they are now a little more than half way to their goal.

The following sponsorship levels are available:

·         $5,000 – The “Jaclyn Linetsky” Star  includes prominent mention in event program , prominent recognition on the  website , four tickets to A Night of Stars

·         $2,500 – The “Sirius” Star  includes prominent mention in event program,  recognition on the website , two tickets to A Night of Stars

·         $1,500 – The “Cygnus” Star  includes  mention in event program  and  recognition on  the website

·         Other – Any donation is appreciated

For more details on how to donate and to buy tickets log on to www.anightofstars.com.  A fan of Jaclyn’s from Italy has setup a tribute website at  jaclynlinetsky.com. 

 For more information about the gala contact:

 Larry Linetsky

(514) 898-8072

 For more information about St. George’s School of Montreal contact:

 Don Belec

 (514) 937-9289 ext. 212