Main Street Theatre Company receives $50k grant to showcase Fayette’s high school musicals
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s first Catalyst for Change grant will create another first: a countywide high school musical showcase.
The Main Street Theatre Company, which operates at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown, received the $50,000 grant, made possible by funds raised during the CFFC’s annual Gala of Giving.
“I was surprised, elated and completely honored to learn that we received this funding from the Community Foundation of Fayette County,” said John Wagner-Malia, the company’s artistic director. “Many people were involved to make this happen. I am proud of the work we’ve done and am looking forward to continuing to work together over the next few months to develop this program and spark growth in Fayette County.”
Since this was to be the first year for the Fayette County High School Musical Showcase, Wagner-Malia said he expected they would be “starting with nothing.”
He learned the group would receive the grant during an presentation following the company’s Oct. 6 performance of “Godspell,” unaware they’d been chosen to get the first Catalyst for Change grant until CFFC Executive Director Renee Couser handed him the check on stage.
The showcase will invite performers from all of Fayette County’s high schools to present a selection or selections from their spring musicals. Wagner-Malia said they’re expecting around 350 students to participate in the May 5 show.
“This is a way for us to connect our local high schools and give them the opportunity to perform together and celebrate their achievements in a way that does not currently exist. It is also a way for us to create a wider connection in our local community,” he said, adding that the showcase will become an annual tradition for the company’s regular season at the State Theatre. “We want to create something that the students and the community are proud of so we are approaching it as a full scale production. Everything needed to produce a theatrical production will be needed here.”
Kristen Tunney, the vice president of Main Street Theatre Company, said the arts play an important role in society.
“It is our foundational belief – backed up by significant data – that live performing arts experiences bring communities closer together, spur economic development and inspire change, growth and hope in those who participate,” Tunney said.
During the showcase, the Fayette County Cultural Trust will present its annual Achievement in the Arts Awards, and the company’s organizers will also be developing an opening and closing that uses students from all of the participating schools.
“The musical showcase was selected because of its wide reach and how it would truly involve all of Fayette County,” Couser said, adding that the performances will bring people to the county and spark economic growth as audience members shop and dine at local businesses. “A collaborative effort like the musical showcase will be an outlet for youth who may not have many opportunities for the arts and its positive impacts in or out of school programs.”
Money for Catalyst for Change grant was raised from CFFC’s annual Gala of Giving event, during which CFFC raises money to provide significant investments in projects that can affect change and growth in Fayette County.
The third Gala of Giving will be Sunday, April 13, 2024, at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
“This first Catalyst for Change grant is just the start, and we encourage everyone to save the date for our next gala on April 13 to help us build up the proceeds that will be used for future funding. With the continued support of individuals and businesses, we hope to offer bigger grants in the future to help spark change in Fayette County on a bigger scale,” said Angela Braun, chair of the Gala of Giving and board chair of the CFFC.
CFFC is currently accepting sponsorships for the 2024 Gala of Giving, and individual ticket sales are expected to open in February. In addition to sponsorship and tickets, donations can be made to CFFC’s Gala of Giving Fund by check or with the “Donate Now” button at cffayettepa.org.
Any individual or business interested in sponsorships or ads, can contact Trish Desvarro, the gala’s event manager, at 724-557-0820.