PCPA Theaterfest is delighted to announce that it has exceeded its fundraising goal of $200,000 for scholarships. Thanks to an outpouring of support from over 500 donors from throughout the country, PCPA has received more than $258,000 as of May 12—well ahead of the original deadline of June 30!

A joint venture between PCPA Theaterfest and PCPA Foundation, the ACT NOW! Scholarship Appeal was launched mid-February after it became apparent that the national economic downturn was having a dramatic impact on the funds raised by PCPA through traditional sources. Each year PCPA awards over $500,000 in scholarships to actors and theatre technicians, and these funds are essential to meeting this annual expense.

“All of us at PCPA are deeply gratified and humbled by the tremendous response to the ACT NOW! scholarship appeal from the community,” said Mark Booher, PCPA’s Artistic Director.  “The scholarship money raised will go toward this critical aspect of how PCPA invests in nurturing young professionals and creating exemplary art on our stages this summer,” he continued, “and, our great hope, and need, is that the renewed investment by so many in the community as a part of this appeal will be a foundation of the support that PCPA can count on year after year.” Recognizing that 2010 could be just as challenging a year, Booher concluded by saying, “Still, as we count on the community for support in the future, they can certainly count on us to continue to bring great theater to the whole Central Coast.” 

And, while acknowledging that the campaign will continue until the June 30th deadline and that gifts to the appeal are still very much needed and are extremely welcome, PCPA also recognizes that it is a part of a larger community, and took the opportunity during the closing weekend of Les Misérables in Santa Maria to pass the basket for the Santa Barbara Red Cross. Theatre patrons contributed over $3,000 in support of the victims of last week’s Jesusita Fire.