The Friends of Theatre at Michigan State University will host a fundraising gala, "A Bite of Broadway," on May 10, to support the newly created "Friends of Theatre Endowment" for MSU’s Department of Theatre.
Guests will gather on the Cobb Great Hall stage of Wharton Center, converted for the evening into the streets of New York, to enjoy a strolling dinner of heavy hors d'oeuvres and wine. Entertainment will be provided by the newly created Musical Theatre Touring Company featuring a special guest artist from Broadway.
The Friends of Theatre Endowment was created to provide funding for special projects benefitting students studying in the MSU Department of Theatre. Three projects are specifically targeted: The ?máGen Musical Theatre Immersion Program with Wharton Center, Summer Circle Kids' Camp and the 4th Wall Theatre Company collaboration. Other projects that may be funded through the endowment include student scholarships, artist/educator fellowships, guest artist and scholar residencies and special production activities.
?máGen is a unique educational collaboration between the Department of Theatre and Wharton Center that annually brings together MSU musical theatre and dance students, local high school students and Broadway performers and writers to the same stage for the production of a new musical.
Summer Circle Kids' Camp provides children from grades 1-6 a free summer camp with instruction in acting, design, music and dance, culminating in a free public performance as part of the Summer Circle Theatre season.
In collaboration with the 4th Wall Theatre Company, MSU students work as artist/educators to help empower everyone from those with special needs to seniors, to break through the fourth wall, get on stage and shine. Through singing, dancing and acting the department's aspiring actors learn about the theatre, the world and themselves.
Tickets for the event are $100, $50 of which is tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Theatre Endowment. Reservations can be made by calling (517) 355-6690 or online at theatre.msu.edu. Updates to the event will be posted on the Friends of Theatre at Michigan State University Facebook page.
Gifts to the endowment can be made in a single payment, as a recurring sustaining gift or as a pledge in installments. Those interested in contributing to the endowment may contact Bernie Campanella at bbcampy@msn.com.
