John Lennon Real Love Project Awarded
2021 imPax Prize

On December 13, 2021, Theatre Within was awarded the 2021 imPax Prize for the John Lennon Real Love Project. The program was recognized for advancing innovative creative expression and music education workshops as instrumental channels for peace, health and well-being.

Presenting the honor were 2020 imPax Prize recipients, the Forever Young Foundation and its Sophie’s Place project, represented by founders Kent and Anne-Marie Barton. “The John Lennon Real Love Project, in the challenging year of 2021, boldly committed to reaching more people in need of its mission, including its generous offering to public schools,” said Anne-Marie Barton. “We thank the project for amplifying music for the common good in our world.”

“It’s very gratifying for Theatre Within to be recognized, as well as empowered to bring John Lennon’s music and message to children in public schools,” said Executive/Artistic Director, Joe Raiola. “Schools are starving for music and arts programs, and one which focuses on ‘real love’ is more important than ever in the age of school shootings.”

Theatre Within established the John Lennon Real Love Project to advance the positive, creative and peace-centered ideals of John Lennon. With the warm support of Yoko Ono, the program launched in 2014 t the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx. In 2015, the program moved to Gilda’s Club NYC (now known as The Red Door Community) for children who have lost a parent or have a parent undergoing treatment for cancer.

In 2021, the John Lennon Real Love Project was expanded to public schools, launching at Livingston Manor Central School in New York. Students compose their own lyrics to “Real Love” and then record their own version of the song with John Lennon’s original piano and vocal track.

The imPax Prize is bestowed annually upon an organization making a positive social-impact contribution within the music-industry ecosystem. The prize is a pay-it-forward deed and demonstration, presented to the winner by the previously honored music-based non-profit mission.