Staff report
Noted Indianapolis arts philanthropist Christel DeHaan recently made a $200,000 donation through her foundation to fund the education of students in the Civic Theatre’s various educational programs.
The Christel DeHaan Scholar Fund will help children younger than 18 years old who participate in any Civic Theatre education program over the next five years thanks to the endowment gift from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation.
The theatre estimates approximately 9,000 students will qualify, representing 45 percent of all Civic education program participants each year.
“We strive to give all kids the opportunity to join our theatre education programs regardless of their financial means. This endowment contribution will sustain that mission,” said Catherine Dixon, Civic Theatre’s Director of Development.
Christel DeHaan Scholars will include the 3,400 four- and five-year-olds who participate in Storytime with Civic, a program that increases kindergarten readiness among low income children with artist school visits, tours of the Tarkington Theatre and tickets to children’s productions.
Approximately 3,500 of the DeHaan Scholars will also include those who attend school matinees that provide educational productions with curriculum-ready ties.
Christel DeHaan Scholars will also include the following participants:
● Five hundred children from social service agencies who are invited to attend dress rehearsals throughout the year
● All participants of DramaWorks at Challenge Foundation Academy, a program providing theatre education to students with severely limited capacity for arts programming
● The 30 Special Olympics athletes that participate in Perfect Harmony, where elementary and middle school children of all abilities join together to perform musical theatre
● And the 20 Young Adult Program students who receive tuition financial assistance
The Christel DeHaan Scholar Fund will also support opportunities for 450 students of limited financial means to attend any Civic Theatre performance or Jr. Civic workshop free of charge.
For more information on Civic’s education and outreach initiatives, please visit CivicTheatre.org/Education.
