Stoneham Theatre Reports On The Success of its Lights Up! Auction

Stoneham Theatre is proud to announce that its Lights Up! Auction, held on Friday March 19th at the Hilton Boston/Woburn, raised over $90,000, a portion of which will be made available for scholarships to local youth who are interested in participating in the 2010 young company at Stoneham Theatre's summer training program. The capacity crowd of 320 gave generously, while lucky bidders came away with exciting opportunities such as a 7-night stay for four in a Tuscan Villa, a First Class Champagne Adventure Hot Air Balloon ride for 2, and a New Year's Eve Concert at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

During the auction, Stoneham Theatre has a part of the evening's program set aside for their Fund-a-Need, which is specifically geared towards raising money for a special cause. For the past two years the theatre has identified youth scholarships to attend its young company programs as that more than worthy cause. Last year the theatre was able to provide over 30 scholarships to kids hailing from 10 towns in the area. This year $15,500 has been raised specifically for its 2010 summer programs.

This year's auction was made possible by the generosity and hard work of many people. Stoneham Theatre would like to give a special thanks to the Premier Sponsor, The Savings Bank from Wakefield, to the Hilton Boston/Woburn, who provided the venue as a courtesy, and to the many other sponsors, restaurants and item donors. Also a round of applause go to the volunteer auction committee, co-chaired by Board of Trustees members and Stoneham residents Jill Kennedy and Sheila Ryder, who donated hundreds of hours of time, to the 80 volunteers who worked the event, and of course the 320 people who came and bid on the items.

The young company at Stoneham Theatre's summer program has many opportunities for youth, ranging from grammar school age through high school. During the summer program, participants work under the guidance of professional theatre artists. In addition to learning from the directors, music directors and choreographers for their shows, students also take workshops in various theatre disciplines to further develop as artists. Over the course of the program, students take four workshops, each culminating in an informal sharing with family and friends during the program day. Previous workshops have included stage combat, music theory, Fosse and more! After enrolling, students have the opportunity to indicate their preferences and previous experiences, and then are placed into workshops that will provide them with a balance of acting, singing and dance.

This summer the shows that will be fully produced at the end of the workshops will be: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; Annie, Get Your Gun; Footloose; Batboy: The Musical; Crazy for You; and Columbinus. All the details regarding the young company at Stoneham Theatre's summer programs, can be found at http://stonehamtheatre.org/yc_summer.html -- with an application for scholarships specifically at http://stonehamtheatre.org/PDF/YC_Summer2010_FinancialApplication.pdf.

Background on Stoneham Theatre:

Stoneham Theatre, a professional non-profit theatre, produces a rich mix of high quality work that appeals to the diverse tastes and interests of the region, provides year-round comprehensive arts education for young people, and offers everyone the opportunity to examine the world through the experience of live theatre.

Through the creation of inspiring live theatre, the young company at Stoneham Theatre develops life skills of confidence, self-discipline and collaboration, preparing individuals for future success. Theatre professionals teach diverse year-round programs for ages 3-18, in an inclusive professional theatre environment.

As a nonprofit performing arts organization, Stoneham Theatre depends on the support of individuals and organizations to fulfill its mission of providing quality, affordable and accessible performing arts and educational opportunities to our communities.

Weylin Symes serves as the theatre's Producing Artistic Director. www.stonehamtheatre.org

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