Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeIn 1995, the Academy of Children's Theatre staged its first performance at Chief Joseph Auditorium in Richland. A cast of young actors presented Heidi to sell-out audiences of children, parents, grandparents and teachers - hundreds of Tri-Citians with an interest in children and a love of performing arts.
Fourteen years later, an entire generation has grown up with all the benefits delivered by live theater. ACT has staged dozens of productions, including discount-priced performances for schools.
Hundreds of students have performed for local audiences. Thousands of Tri-City children have enrolled in classes ranging from storybook productions for pre-schoolers to stage makeup for middle-schoolers to advanced acting for teens.
On ACT's stage and in our classrooms, these students learn teamwork, to think on their feet, to express themselves and to convey abstract ideas. And of course they learn about theater - acting, dancing, set design and lighting.
Their experiences at ACT help them rank at the top of their peers. The College Entrance Examination Board reported in 2005 that SAT scores of students who study the arts were 59 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math than students with no course work or experience.
Alumni of ACT have gone on to successful careers in law, science, engineering, accounting, economics, teaching, management … and, yes, theater.
But most importantly, our students learn the value of their own creativity. "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination," said Albert Einstein. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world."
As the only organization offering theater arts education and programming to all children from preschool through high school, ACT's contribution to the quality of life in the Mid-Columbia is huge.
But today we're facing one of the biggest challenges in our history, and we're asking the Tri-Cities to help.
Five years ago we purchased a building, making us one of the only local arts groups with a permanent base. It houses three classrooms, offices, a black box performance space and costume and set storage. Future plans include a 350-seat theater.
We open our doors to groups like Richland Light Opera, the Mid-Columbia Master Singers and Three Rivers HomeLink (Richland School District's partnership with home-school families).
And we're developing a program to work with autistic children, offering them a therapeutic activity that helps them communicate with a world beyond the boundaries of their disabilities.
The mortgage on the building is daunting, but well worth the effort because of the difference we continue to make in the lives of so many children.
Today more than ever, ACT needs the help of the Tri-City community. Our classes and productions pay for themselves, but the grant that enabled ACT to pay the mortgage has ended, and maintaining that payment has become a huge challenge.
As we enter our 15th season, we're working hard to accelerate our fundraising, as well as seeking more sponsorships. Our goal is to retire the mortgage, enabling us to focus all of our resources on classes and programs.
We're asking for your support. Last month, ACT took the first step by launching a $100,000 fundraising campaign. You can help by taking your family to see our shows. Visit ACT at www.academyofchildrenstheatre.org and make a contribution, and ask your friends and neighbors to do the same. Designate ACT as your charity when contributing to United Way.Buy an ad in program or sponsor a show. Join in the fundraising campaign, or attend our Heart for the Arts fundraising dinner auction in February.
It's an investment worth making. With your support, generations of Tri-City children can give voice to their imaginations. With your help, they can circle the world.
* Anne Sampson is president of the Academy of Children's Theatre board of trustees.
Editorials are the consensus of the Tri-City Herald editorial board.
Editorial board members are Rufus Friday, publisher; Chris Sivula, editorial page editor; Ken Robertson, executive editor; Matt Taylor, contributing editor; Lori Lancaster, editorial writer; Shelly Norman, editorial writer and Jack Briggs, retired publisher
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