Schneps Media’s annual Power Women of the East End awards serve as a resounding tribute to the fearless women who inject vitality, innovation, and prosperity into the East End, establishing it as a dynamic hub for work, residence, and commerce.
In a ceremonial flourish of distinction, Bonnie Comley, the visionary architect behind BroadwayHD, was bestowed with the esteemed 2023 Power Women of the East End Award by none other than Victoria Schneps. In a fitting complement, Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright extended a New York State Citation Award to Comley, underscoring her remarkable achievements. The Power Women of the East End platform, meticulously curated by Schneps Media, spotlights these resolute women who collectively contribute to the thriving, spirited ecosystem that defines the East End of New York’s Long Island. The esteemed Power Women of the East End Award celebrates the unwavering efforts of leaders who shape, construct, and bolster the lives of East End’s residents and visitors.
The indomitable Bonnie Comley stands as the founder and CEO of BroadwayHD, an acclaimed subscription streaming service that offers an impressive catalog of full-length Broadway productions and theatrical presentations. Comley’s illustrious journey has culminated in the prestigious distinction of three Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and two Drama Desk Awards, all emblematic of her profound impact on the world of stage productions. Her esteemed affiliations include membership in The Broadway League, her pivotal role as President of the Board of The Drama League, and her influential voting status within The Recording Academy. This trail of achievement was further adorned with The Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2022.
Comley’s prowess was not confined to the theater alone. She garnered recognition as a Top Silicon Valley Entrepreneur to Watch in 2021. Her creative portfolio boasts an impressive array of over 50 film productions, yielding nine Telly Awards and a coveted W3 Award. The pinnacle of her innovative journey was achieved in 2016, as Comley and BroadwayHD etched their names in history by setting the Guinness World Record for the First Live Stream of a Broadway Show. Further laurels adorned her path, with BroadwayHD clinching the coveted 2020 Global Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovation and Outstanding Product/Service. Notably, Mayor Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans bestowed the Keys to the City upon Comley in 2022, a testament to her unwavering dedication to the preservation and promotion of live theater through BroadwayHD.
Comley’s distinguished journey extends to her recognition as an Industry Leader in the prestigious Cynopsis Women in Media Class of 2020. The year 2019 witnessed a remarkable moment when Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, honored Comley with the esteemed Woman of Achievement Award from the WP Theatre.
Acknowledging her philanthropic endeavors, the Broadway theater community has showered Comley with an array of honors, including The Actors Fund Medal of Honor, The Drama League Special Contribution to the Theater Award, The Paul Newman Award from Arts Horizons, and The Theater Museum Distinguished Service Award. Beyond the realm of theater, educational institutions have celebrated Comley’s contributions, with The Distinguished Alumni Award from Emerson College, The Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Massachusetts, and her membership in the prestigious business Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma.
Comley’s legacy finds embodiment in various educational spaces, such as the Music Theatre Program at Boston University, the Musical Theatre Society Room at Emerson College, the Comley-Lane Theatre at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and The Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Stage, an integral component of the Booth Arts Complex in Boston.
Guided by the astute leadership of Victoria Schneps, Schneps Media annually presents the Power Women of the East End Awards, a poignant homage to these remarkable women. Ms. Schneps, whose visionary journey began with the establishment of The Queens Courier newspaper in 1985, has meticulously expanded her media empire, now recognized as Schneps Media. At present, Schneps Media stands as a formidable entity, boasting an extensive network of over 91 community newspapers, magazines, news platforms, and social media channels that span across regions like New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Philadelphia, and Palm Beach.
