Janice Fong Wolf of The Community Foundation presenting the check to Education Director Kerry DiMaggio and Managing Artistic Director Kevin Harris with Little Theatre Board members Bryce Engstrom, Wilda Rosene, Michael Simkins and Matthew Cottle.

Last week, the Little Theatre was thrilled to receive a generous $7,000 grant to fund tuition scholarships for students participating in our Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) educational programs throughout the 2014-2015 Season. The grant was provided through Art Inspires!, a program of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, funded by the Holser Educational Fund for the Performing Arts.

This generous grant will underwrite need-based tuition scholarships for students participating in our extensive ACT education program, including four summer theatre camps, after-school theatre classes in the spring and fall, a spring break camp and two production classes which offer students the opportunity to participate in professionally-directed full length theatrical productions.

Kerry DiMaggio, Education Director (Photo by Jamie Foster)

All of these programs are managed under the very capable hands of Education Director Kerry DiMaggio. Kerry has been running our ACT programs since 2008. Not only is she a very talented singer and actress herself (She played Maria in The Sound of Music in 2013) but she manages an amazing program. In addition to four summer camps being offered in June and July (sign up HERE!) ACT students will also be spending June, July and part of August rehearsing the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Cinderella as part of our summer ACT production class.The show is directed by Shelagh Garren, with musical direction by Lacey McNamara and choreography by Kelly Fidopiastis. The show runs August 8-24 and we recommend getting your tickets early for this one! (Tickets go on sale June 22.)

ACT Teachers, Directors & Choreographers 2014/15 Season: (L to R) Danielle Dutro McNamara, Lacey McNamara, Kelly Fidopiastis, Shelagh Garren, Kerry DiMaggio, Zach Johnson and Taylor Peters (Not pictured: Lester Wilson; photo by Jamie Foster)

“Participating in theatre encourages creativity and builds self-confidence” says Kerry. “ACT provides a creative, artistic, educational and FUN outlet for children who might not otherwise be engaged with their peers or other important adult role models. This generous grant from the Community Foundation will allow us to expand our programs and our reach in the community. We will be able to offer any child with a desire to participate in our programs the chance to do so, without regard to our costs.”

Many thanks to the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County for this generous gift to our ACT program and to the talented young actors of the Central Coast!