“This year marks the third year that CATS (Creative Arts Theatre & School) has had the privilege of participating in North Texas Giving Day. We’ve been providing arts education and performance opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds in Arlington, Texas for 35years; and the past two have been the most challenging in our history. We lost our 29-year-oldhome to a terrible fire on July 4, 2012, and that loss continues to reverberate through our organization, even as we recover. The boost, financial and psychological, provided by participating in this joyful day has had a rousing effect on our organization. Around our office,North Texas Giving Day feels as good as Christmas, Valentine’s and Mardi Gras all in one!
“What CATS does is unique to the theatre world, as it presents theatre BY youth, FOR youth. The children involved in our programming are educated with care and discipline. Art is used as the framework to showcase values that children will carry with them for life. CATS teaches accountability, to accept critiques gracefully, to speak clearly and loudly, to fail and try again, to make sacrifices for the ensemble, and to fulfill their commitment to a project. When we receive donations on Giving Day, we can feel the acknowledgment from our community that what we do is valued. With the just over $7,000 we received last year, two full scholarships for an entire year of classes were funded, as well as supporting the budget for our holiday production, including the rental of the performance space!
“Not every kid can be a star on the football field or experience acceptance at school, but at CATS, creating theatre together leads to transformative outcomes. The misfit at school becomes the star on the stage or the behind-the-scenes leader, and finds a safe place. We’ve loved watching our alumni become professionals in the performing arts, and are equally thrilled at the teachers, bakers, and lawyers that cite their experiences at CATS as their most positively formative. Our goal is to educate children in the performing arts, with the longer-term goal being the creation of better human beings. In its history, it is estimated that well over 10,000 children have been directly touched and educated through our programming. This year, we eagerly wait for September 18, 2014, when our supporters log on to www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org and show their love!”
-By Heather Simmons, CATS Executive Director
* Graphic and photos provided Creatives Arts Theatre And School