Schneps Media’s annual Power Women of the East End ceremony pays homage to the tenacious women who contribute their spirit, innovation, and industry to transform the East End into a thriving hub for work, living, and business endeavors.
In a moment of profound recognition, Bonnie Comley, the trailblazing founder of BroadwayHD, was honored with the esteemed 2023 Power Women of the East End Award, a distinction presented by Victoria Schneps herself. Adding to the resonance of the occasion, Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright presented Comley with a New York State Citation Award. Schneps Media’s Power Women of the East End initiative sheds light on these fearless women whose combined efforts shape the vibrant landscape of New York’s Long Island, creating a space that brims with vitality and entrepreneurial dynamism. The celebrated Power Women of the East End Award stands as a tribute to leaders who shape, construct, and fortify the lives of both residents and visitors on the eastern fringes of the island.
The visionary force behind BroadwayHD, Bonnie Comley, holds the dual titles of founder and CEO, guiding the acclaimed subscription streaming service that grants members access to a rich array of full-length Broadway productions and theatrical displays. Comley’s remarkable journey has earned her the honor of three Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and two Drama Desk Awards for her profound contributions to the world of stage productions. Her esteemed affiliations encompass membership in The Broadway League, her role as President of the Board of The Drama League, and her active participation as a voting member of The Recording Academy. The year 2022 added a crowning achievement as Comley received The Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Comley’s entrepreneurial flair extended beyond theater’s confines, with her recognition as a Top Silicon Valley Entrepreneur to Watch in 2021. Her creative endeavors have encompassed over 50 film productions, reaping her a remarkable harvest of nine Telly Awards and a W3 Award. The year 2016 marked a historic milestone when Comley and BroadwayHD captured the Guinness World Record for the First Live Stream of a Broadway Show. The accolades continued, with BroadwayHD securing the esteemed 2020 Global Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovation and Outstanding Product/Service. A unique recognition arrived in 2022, as Mayor Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans granted Comley the Keys to the City, an emblem of her unwavering commitment to preserving and elevating live theater through BroadwayHD.
Comley’s dynamic journey also encompasses her selection as an Industry Leader in the distinguished Cynopsis Women in Media Class of 2020. The year 2019 marked a pivotal moment, with Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, bestowing upon Comley the coveted Woman of Achievement Award from the WP Theatre.
Acknowledging her philanthropic endeavors, the Broadway theater community has celebrated Comley’s contributions with a plethora 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. Her educational achievements span The Distinguished Alumni Award from Emerson College, The Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Massachusetts, and membership in the esteemed business Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma.
Comley’s legacy is woven into the fabric of various educational spaces, including 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 part of the Booth Arts Complex in Boston.
Guided by the insightful leadership of Victoria Schneps, Schneps Media annually presents the Power Women of the East End Awards, a resounding tribute to these exceptional women. Ms. Schneps, whose visionary journey began with the establishment of The Queens Courier newspaper in 1985, has meticulously expanded her media realm, now known as Schneps Media. Presently, Schneps Media boasts a robust network of over 91 community newspapers, magazines, news platforms, and social media channels that extend across regions like New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Philadelphia, and Palm Beach.
