PCPA asked and the community opened up its wallet. The PCPA Theaterfest announced it has exceeded its fundraising goal of $200,000 for its scholarships through the ACT NOW! campaign. An outpouring of support from more than 500 donors from throughout the country resulted in $258,000 in contributions as of May 12—well ahead of the original deadline of June 30.
A joint venture between PCPA Theaterfest and PCPA Foundation, the ACT NOW! Scholarship Appeal was launched mid-February after it became apparent that the national economic downturn was having a dramatic impact on the funds raised by PCPA through traditional sources. Each year PCPA awards more than $500,000 in scholarships to actors and theater technicians, and these funds are essential to meeting this annual expense.
The campaign will continue until June 30 as contributions are still needed and welcome. However, during the closing weekend of Les Misérables in Santa Maria, PCPA took the opportunity to pass the basket for the Santa Barbara Red Cross. Theater patrons contributed more than $3,000 in support of the victims of the recent Jesusita Fire.
Arts Briefs is compiled by Shelly Cone. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in May 21-28, 2009.
