Dallas Summer Musicals Community Performance is Sold Out!

Posted on March 2nd, 2016

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First community performance will reach over 3,400 families and children from 43 nonprofit organizations and DISD schools

 

Dallas, TX – Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) announces its new investment in creating public access to the performing arts, the DSM Community Performance, has sold out! Engaging families and children from 38 nonprofit organizations and 5 DISD Elementary Schools from the Madison and Lincoln feeder patterns, this special show will provide over 3,400 seats to community organizations free of charge. This very special event is made possible with financial support from sponsors and the enthusiasm and interest of schools, neighborhoods, and other nonprofits as partners, volunteers, and advocates which have come on board to make this truly an event dedicated to community outreach, filling the Music Hall at Fair Park.

“This event demonstrates Dallas Summer Musicals’ ongoing commitment to the Dallas community and our leadership role as a cornerstone nonprofit performing arts organization for the City of Dallas and its citizens in Fair Park,” said Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, DSM. “We are thrilled at the immediate response from community partners and grateful for the support from sponsors earmarked for this special event, including the Moody Foundation, the Hillcrest Foundation and Frost Bank, along with DSM season sponsors Texas Instruments, WFAA, American Airlines and The Dallas Morning News. Their involvement as corporate and community advocates has been crucial in making this Community Performance a reality.”

Slated for Friday, March 11, 2016 the DSM Community Performance will take place during DSM’s 76th season presentation of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, a proven family favorite, creating memorable experiences for children and parents to see a major touring Broadway production – many for the first time. Based on the animated film, this special show features a revamped script, new songs, and an entirely fresh interpretation of the film. Tickets for all other performances are for sale and open to the public during the show’s run through Sunday, March 27th. Details are below.

“Each year, DSM seeks opportunities to enhance its organizational mission of presenting extraordinary Broadway shows by giving back to organizations, families, and students in the Dallas and greater North Texas community through community ticket donations, initiatives like Seats for Kids and the newly-developed Seats for Vets, and through scholarship funds for both the DSM Academy of the Performing Arts and the High School Musical Theatre Awards,” Jenkins continued. “The DSM Community Performance represents our latest community investment concept, designed to demonstrate that what’s good for the Dallas community is good for Dallas Summer Musicals.”

DSM is pleased to welcome students and families from five Dallas ISD elementary schools from the Madison and Lincoln feeder patterns. “Participating in and attending quality arts events enrich the lives of our students in many ways,” said Dr. Danna Rothlisberger, Executive Director-Visual and Performing Arts. “Studies show that students who engage in arts activities develop skills that help promote academic and life success.   For certain, our young people who attend live performances gain a rich experience that provides much for classroom and family conversations long after the event.  Therefore, we are so grateful that the Dallas ISD elementary students in the Fair Park neighborhood have this opportunity to benefit from the district’s new partnership with the Dallas Summer Musicals.”

Ted Munselle, Chairman of the Board at DSM, agreed, saying, “This is a win-win-win for DSM, for Dallas, and for Fair Park and an intentional effort to expand on our community outreach. During the last presentation of Disney’s THE LION KING, for example, DSM organized a “Buy a Seat, Give a Seat” promotion for one of the performances, which enabled DSM subscribers, patrons and community partner organizations to purchase over 1,700 seats for underserved and low-income families to attend the performance.  This community investment was a great success and that success is one inspiration for the DSM Community Performance.”

Sponsors of the DSM Community Performance as of February 25 include: The Moody Foundation ($100,000), The Hillcrest Foundation ($50,000) and Frost Bank ($5,000), with additional annual education and community outreach program support from The Hirsch Family Foundation ($25,000), The Hoglund Foundation ($25,000), the Scovell Fund of The Dallas Foundation ($25,000). In-Kind partners include: Big Thought, Creativity Sponsor; Chick-Fil-A, food sponsor; DART, transportation sponsor; and Mother Ruckers, cookie sponsor. DSM is also grateful to season sponsors Texas Instruments, American Airlines, WFAA, and the Dallas Morning News for ongoing support in its 76th year.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season presented by Texas Instruments continues with DSM’s production of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, March 12-27, 2016; WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016; RAGTIME, May 24 – June 5, 2016; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42ND STREET, June 28 – July 10, 2016. Dallas Summer Musicals Management Group, Inc. will also present the Broadway hit musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, February 27 & 28, 2016 for a limited engagement.

The public can make charitable gifts to support the DSM Community Performance and future performance by visiting https://dallassummermusicals.giv.sh/9c74 or contacting James Jenner, Director of Development, at (214) 413-3961 or jjenner@dallassummermusicals.org.

About Dallas Summer Musicals:

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM Kids Club is a program created to foster tomorrow’s musical theatre audience. Through exciting activities children gain an interest, hands-on-knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts. In addition, Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. DSM’s High School Musical Theatre Awards are patterned after Broadway’s Tony® Awards and celebrate the power of the arts to significantly improve all areas of education. DSM Associate Producers is a dynamic group of young professionals with a mission to support DSM by cultivating future patrons and leaders making DSM part of the culture for young professionals in Dallas. DSM Guild is a group of individuals who share a love of musical theatre and support DSM by providing stellar service and hospitality to the cast and crew of every show. Since 2010 the experts at DSM have made significant changes and upgrades to its acoustical systems to improve the sound quality of the productions for all its patrons, including the hearing impaired, leading to the development of Hear Us Now!™; a device which utilizes five assistive listening technologies (T-coils, FM Classroom, Streamers, FM systems, and traditional headsets) to deliver a clear and direct audio signal. It is so unique that a trademark has been allowed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Seats for Vets, DSM’s newest initiative, serves war veterans and their families by providing them discounted access to a unique theatrical experience as a way of thanking them for their service. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

Dallas Summer Musicals is presented by Texas Instruments and gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors and partners The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and The Original Cupcakery.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214.421.5678 or visit our website at DallasSummerMusicals.org.

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