Stages St. Louis Receives Funding from Wells Fargo Advisors

Wells Fargo Advisors, a company with a rich history of philanthropy in St. Louis, has awarded STAGES St. Louis a $12,500 grant to support general operating expenses of its theatre arts programming. STAGES will aim this first-time gift towards the organization's Urban Arts Initiative (UAI) program. The program, which dovetails on Wells Fargo Advisors' commitment to strengthening communities, provides performing arts education to underserved students in the St. Louis area.

This grant will provide opportunities for UAI students to participate in Summer Performance Workshops and attend STAGES Performing Arts Academy production of Annie, Jr. in the spring of 2016. To ensure that all students are given an equal opportunity, UAI students participating in STAGES' Summer Performance Workshops will be eligible for nearly $5,000 worth of scholarships and will be driven to and from daily rehearsals by STAGES' Education staff. Without these accommodations, many students would be unable to attend such programs.

"We are thrilled to be able to call Wells Fargo Advisors our partner. This grant will allow STAGES to continue providing students throughout the community an opportunity to participate in the magic of Musical Theatre. These experiences are often transformative and life-altering," stated Marilyn Sheperd, Director of Development at STAGES St. Louis.

Through the STAGES Urban Arts Initiative, STAGES brings its educational outreach programs to nearly 30 urban schools and community groups, including Marian Middle School, City Academy School, Howard Park School, the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, and more. Since 2004, STAGES UAI has conducted more than 200 programs ranging from one-hour workshops to full-semester residencies, for free or at reduced cost, to over 3,800 underserved students. Thousands of additional students are reached through public performances at partner sites. These STAGES workshops and residencies introduce underserved students to the magic of Musical Theatre and the empowering potential of an arts experience.

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