youth programming

A Priority at the Sangamon Auditorium

Sangamon Auditorium has many learning opportunities for Springfield area young people:

Class Acts: 25,000 elementary and secondary level students attend performances at UIS each year; over 500,000 in all
In-school visits by Class Acts and other Performing Arts artists;
Professional development activities for K-12 teachers;
Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s Young Peoples’ concerts
Local dance studio performances
The Illinois High School Association Drama and Group Interpretation Festival

Springfield’s Children

Thankfully, because of you—our wonderful friends—children in Springfield have a chance to experience these benefits through the Auditorium’s Class Acts program.

Some of our recent events:

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters;
Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks;
Direct from West Africa: The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa;
The Phantom Toolbooth; and
Mad Science—CSI: Live!

Little children sitting on a stage Your contributions to these children will have an enduring effect, stretching into their adult lives, helping them to become more aware and socially active people.

A Wider Landscape for Their Lives

Young people who are exposed to the performing arts become much more open to new possibilities, much more able to empathize, and as a result become much more enlightened and effective leaders.

So Many Advantages for Children

In fact, according to the American Alliance for Theater and Education, “Children's theater…is an excellent introduction to lifelong enjoyment of theater.”

By attending the theater, children gain:

An appreciation of theater as an aesthetic experience;
Increased awareness of social and cultural values;
Sharing of a communal art form;
Increased knowledge of history and human events.
(“Three R’s for the Nineties.")

So many good results for children—and their families and communities!

Please give now!

You can support this vital initiative by giving to one of the following funds:

Helen Hamilton Performing Arts Endowment for Youth Donate
Hazel Dell Class Acts Fund Donate
Staley Class Acts Auditorium Fund Donate

Questions?

Please use the Send Us Your Question link or contact our office directly.