Truist Charitable Fund Donates $15,000 in Support of Blumenthal Arts' Junior Theater Celebration

(Oct. 9, 2024) Charlotte, NC – Blumenthal Arts announced that Truist Charitable Fund has donated $15,000 to fund Blumenthal’s Junior Theater Celebration, an exciting educational opportunity for local musical theater students. For more information about Blumenthal’s Junior Theater Celebration, visit Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte | Blumenthal Arts.

 

Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte offers a hands-on, educational field trip opportunity for local students and educators. Developed and overseen by iTheatrics in collaboration with Music Theatre International (MTI) and Blumenthal Arts’ Education Department, this initiative offers students the chance to showcase excerpts from their musical productions, receive valuable feedback from industry experts and engage in immersive workshops.

 

 

“There’s no better way to prepare youth for successful careers than providing hands-on learning opportunities,” said Justin Rutledge, Charlotte market president for Truist. “Our support of Blumenthal Art’s Junior Theater Celebration will provide theater students with the exciting opportunity to showcase their talents while working with professionals on how to hone their craft and further their understanding of the field.”

 

"We are grateful to Truist Charitable Fund for supporting one of our most beloved educational programs,” said Blumenthal Arts President and CEO, Tom Gabbard. “The opportunity for students to perform on a professional stage, share their work with peers, and receive direction from theater professionals is an invaluable tool for acquiring new skills, building confidence, and cultivating passion for the arts. The professional development opportunities afforded to the educators are also extremely beneficial to enhancing artistic communities in and out of the classroom.” 

 

 

In addition to this gift to fund Blumenthal’s Junior Theater Celebration, Truist Charitable Fund also provided $60,000 to be distributed among Blumenthal Arts’ four resident companies. Opera Carolina, Charlotte Ballet, Charlotte Symphony and Tosco Music will each receive $15,000 to underwrite their rental and production costs in Blumenthal Arts’ venues.

 

Known for presenting the largest Broadway season in the region, Blumenthal Arts is a not-for-profit that relies on additional support to sustain educational programming. Thanks to the generosity of Truist Charitable Fund, more than 2,000 students and educators participate in the program each year to engage in unique opportunities to learn, share their creativity and celebrate their peers. This fundamental access to the performing arts both in schools and in a Broadway venue is offered free of charge.

 

To learn more about Blumenthal’s Junior Theater Celebration, visit Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte | Blumenthal Arts.

 

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ABOUT BLUMENTHAL ARTS 

Blumenthal Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education not-for-profit. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Arts receives support from the Infusion Fund and the North Carolina Arts Council. Generous support is also provided by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights series, and Equitable, sponsor of the Equitable Bravo Series.

 

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ABOUT TRUIST CHARITABLE FUND 

The Truist Charitable Fund (“TCF”) is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives. TCF was established as a donor-advised fund and is administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. 

 
TCF invests in local community organizations, focusing on grants that support initiatives and programs in the areas of educational equity, leadership development, career pathways, small business, and community services. To learn more about Truist’s purpose, visit https://www.truist.com/who-we- are/about-truist.