Performing Arts Raised Funds for Local Nonprofits

SFSC Performing Arts presented Play Your Part, a fundraising performance for local nonprofits and schools on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the 1,460-seat Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts.

“This is a project that we launched in 2019 to support local non-profits,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural programs at SFSC. “The Children’s Museum of Highlands County, Sebring Historical Society, Mason G. Smoak Foundation, Hope Haven Transitional Housing, St. Catherine School, and Walker Memorial Academy raised almost $5,000 at this year’s event.”

“The Play Your Part event helps Hope Haven by allowing less fortunate families and individuals to experience a show that they normally would not be able to,” said Leslie Behm, director of Hope Haven. “This is also an easy fundraiser for us and a way to give these folks a feeling of normalcy,”

New York-based TheaterWorks USA performed a musical production of “Charlotte’s Web.” The story centers on Charlotte, a spider, and Wilbur, a pig, and explores friendship and loyalty. Children attending the performance received a free piggy bank and complimentary snacks, created a spider craft, and had photos with Pete the Panther and Wilbur.

Deena Wright, director of the Mason G. Smoak Foundation said, “Our Foundation is blessed to be a recipient of the Play Your Part program. We appreciate the support of the South Florida State College Performing Arts Center for our program by allowing us to participate. The show itself was a great event for young and old alike and the pre-performance activities for children were wonderful.”

Children were invited to make an animal mask at home and wear it to the show. Several children made pig masks. Three children each won $25 in a random drawing. “The response was excellent,” said Pamela Roebuck, SFSC cultural events specialist. “We saw a lot of smiling faces at the Wildstein Center.”

Jason Green correctly guessed the number of spiders in a large bottle, winning a plush pig pillow and a hardcover copy of E. B. White’s classic, “Charlotte’s Web.” “It was such a wonderful day at the theater,” said parent Heather Green.

SFSC Performing Arts has raised $32,270 for local schools and nonprofits. Participating organizations sell $10 tickets to the performance and keep 100% of their ticket sales. The Mason G. Smoak Foundation has participated every year and has raised nearly $5,000 for their organization.

For information on future shows at SFSC, visit sfscarts.org.