Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
T2 opens grand new theater
Scholarship group lauds students
Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County backers helped the group mark its 35th anniversary and laud students and supporters at the annual Student Benefit Dinner Aug. 7 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers.
The group awarded 318 scholarships worth $402,923 for the spring, summer and fall semesters.
The scholarship organization presents Inspire Awards annually “to honor an individual and a community partner that have shown unwavering support to the SPSFBC program and its recipients. These honorees have been and continue to be an inspiration to SPSFBE and its recipients.” This year’s awards went to Christine Lebert, individual; and Keith, Miller, Butler, Schneider & Pawlik, community partner.
Along with financial aid for tuition and books, scholarship recipients are offered emotional support, career development resources, school supplies, assistance with household and vehicle expenses, mentoring, life skills workshops and referral to other community services. Proceeds from the benefit will go toward scholarships.
Cassie Riddick, current scholarship recipient, and Sophie Soden, scholarship alumna, shared their experiences with the organization, both citing several ways the group has provided support.
Among those supporting single parent scholarships were Susan and Brian Wood, Jim von Gremp, John Brown III, Marj and Pete Metzger, Brittney Duke, Todd Kitchen, Craig Overton, Evelyn and Charles Jorgenson and Jack Eaton.
TheatreSquared patrons celebrated the grand opening of the professional theater group’s new
home and the kickoff of the 2019-20 season Aug. 8 in Fayetteville.
Theater leaders broke ground June 23, 2017, for the 50,000-square-foot building. The building features two theaters, dedicated rehearsal space, eight guest artist apartments, three outdoor terraces, education and community space, offices, cafe and bar, and workshops for props, costumes and scenery.
The Our Next Stage $34 million campaign was launched to pay for the design, construction and equipping the theater and to establish the TheatreSquared Trust. A $1.5 million commitment from board President Lynn and Joel Carver and a $2.9 million investment from the state of Arkansas announced last month bring the group to 90% of completing the campaign.
Lynn told those gathered, “We officially opened the doors today and hope to close the campaign soon. We’re going to ensure a home for live theater.”
The grand opening season will consist of seven productions: Shakespeare in Love, Aug. 14-Sept. 15; Native Gardens, Oct. 2-Nov. 10;
A Christmas Carol, Nov. 20Dec. 22; The Royale, Jan. 22Feb. 16; 2020 Arkansas New Play Festival, April 10-19;
My Father’s War, March 25April 19; and Matilda,
May 20-June 21.
Those out for the opening included Judy Schwab, Carolyn Allen, Jill and Tom King, Stacy and Rod Bigelow, Karen Minkel, Sandy Edwards, Susan and Orville Hall, Becky and Bob Alexander, and Denise and Hershey Garner.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.