Hearts for the Arts Opens Doors for Local Students to Experience Theatrical Performances
Thanks to the generosity of donors and corporate sponsors, more than 60 children and families from the Public Schools of Robeson County’s Children’s Theatre Arts Program (CTAP) experienced the magic of Broadway at the Givens Performing Arts Center (GPAC).
Their attendance at The Addams Family musical was made possible through GPAC’s Hearts for the Arts fund, which subsidizes ticket costs for students and nonprofits.
The initiative, established by GPAC, ensures that children – many attending professional theatre for the first time – have access to live performance. For CTAP, which nurtures young performers through musicals like Elf Jr. and Beauty and the Beast, the experience was transformative.
“Just having the opportunity to see Broadway on stage and the kind of work they strive for in rehearsal – what they can eventually turn into a career – is incredible,” said Janet Meier, CTAP assistant director. “The kids loved it. They were excited, their parents enjoyed it, and it was awesome to see how much they valued the entire performance.”
Doug Fox, a longtime Hearts for the Arts donor and GPAC Advisory Board member, said supporting the fund is about investing in the future. “The only way to build tomorrow’s audience is by bringing the children in today,” Fox said. “Even if they never get on stage, at least they’ve seen live theatre – and hopefully they’ll seek it out more in the future. That’s how we grow a lifelong appreciation for the arts.”
The program is sustained by community giving, with contributions from individuals, businesses and sponsors like MetaHealth, Robeson Pediatrics and Metcon, who helped make The Addams Family performance possible. Their support and donor gifts make it possible for GPAC to continue removing financial barriers to the arts. Primary sponsors for The Addams Family were C.F. Smith Property Group and Ludgate Family Dentistry.
The GPAC Hearts for the Arts fund was established in 2024. Last year, Hearts for the Arts welcomed about 200 students from organization, including Communities In Schools, Lumberton FFA and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service’s 4-H Spin Club for Theater.
There is no greater joy for a performing arts presenter than to overhear a student say that they’ve never been to anything like this before. That’s what this program is about – to make these life-changing experiences possible, to change lives through the arts
Hearts for the Arts offers subsidized or free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis to K-12 schools, nonprofits and other organizations serving youth. Community members can help expand its reach by donating:
- Online: Visit edu/gpac
- By mail: Send checks payable to GPAC Hearts for the Arts to:
Givens Performing Arts Center
O. Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
For more information about Hearts for the Arts or GPAC’s upcoming performances, call 910.521.6361.
