TheatreSquared opened another season with big news Aug. 16 at its annual kickoff party at the home of Denise and Hershey Garner in Fayetteville.
Martin Miller, executive director of the professional theater group, and Julie Gehrki, senior director of the Walmart Foundation, announced a $68,500 grant from the foundation to launch the "Lights Up! For Access" program. Through the program, partnering nonprofit organizations who serve low-income families will access free and reduced ticket prices for 220 performances this season. Initial partnering agencies are Seven Hills Homeless Shelter, Ozark Literacy Council, Lifestyles Inc. and the Northwest Arkansas Women's Shelter.
At a Glance
Season launch
Who: TheatreSquared
What: The professional theater launched its production season and announced new community program.
When: Aug. 16
Where: Garner Farm in Fayetteville
Next: All the Way will run through Sept. 18.
Information: (479) 445-633 or theatre2.org
Benefit dinner
Who: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County
What: The group lauded students and supporters.
When: Aug. 18
Where: Embassy Suites in Rogers
Information: (479) 254-8550 or spsfbc.org
Season kickoff luncheon
Who: Arkansas Razorback boosters, team and coaches
What: Razorbacks marked the start of the football season at the annual event.
When: Aug. 19
Where: Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale
Next: Season opener versus Louisiana Tech University, Saturday
Information: (479) 575-515 or [email protected]
The 350 patrons at the celebration helped the group raise $22,000 and were treated to scenes from the first production of the season, All the Way, written by Robert Schenkkan, Pulitzer Prize-winner.
Among those launching the season with TheatreSquared were Nancy and Jim Blair, Leslie and Ted Belden, Erin Hogue, Hayden McIlroy, Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood, Rosemary and George Faucette, Stacy and Rod Bigelow, Ann Rosso and Joe Randel.
Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County lauded students and supporters at the group's student benefit dinner Aug. 17 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. The nearly 500 guests helped the group raise an estimated $55,000 for scholarships.
Erika Aldama, current scholarship recipient, in a question-and-answer session with Mary Schnieder, board member, shared her experience with the organization and the myriad ways it helps recipients. Aldama said, "The staff are my advocate, my resource ... Just knowing they're there is invaluable."
Those backing scholarships and celebrating student success included Amy and Brian Wood, Phil Gelhausen, Sally Conduff, Mary Schneider, Karen Robbins, University of Arkansas Chancellor Joe Steinmetz and wife Sandy, Northwest Arkansas Community College President Evelyn Jorgenson and husband Charles, Cathy Foraker, Blake Robertson, Lori Walker, Rebecca Aleck, Kezie Odunukwe, Christine Lebert and Michelle Beckman.
This year's Inspire Award honorees for supporting the program and scholarship recipients were Andrea Milton, individual recipient, and TPN, a retail marketing agency, as the community recipient.
Razorback fans celebrated the start of the football season Aug. 19 with Razorback football coaches and team at the kickoff luncheon at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale.
Football team members followed the tradition of introducing each other to luncheon guests, and Coach Bret Bielema shared his optimistic view of the coming season.
Those helping the Razorbacks kick off the season include Frank Broyles, Cyndy and Ken Hatfield, Boyce Billingsley, Jim Husson, Jim Lindsey, Cameron Smith, John Threet, Rita and Charlie Daniels and Jerry Duncan.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 08/28/2016