Theatre Three’s Jac Alder has mastered the stage for decades. But no one could blame him if he nearly missed his cue Monday, January 26. After all he had just received an envelope containing $30,000.
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Jac Alder and Ken Villalovos
It was all a part of the TACA grant distribution of $1.3M at The Wyly.
Each of the 47 recipients had been told by emcee Ken Travis about the presentation protocol — “When your group’s name is called, come to the stage via the steps stage right, receive your check, post for a photo and leave the way you came.”
Like obedient schoolchildren, dozens of folks followed orders. But Jac in his eagerness to get back to his seat in the crowded room, skipped the photo opp. That was until he was called back up the steps for a quickie with Ken Villalovos.
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Arlington Jones and Donna Wilhelm
The only other oop’s was Kristen and Ladd Sanger being MIA to present checks for the musical ensemble groups. Despite having their names called out a couple of times, the couple evidently was not on hand. No problem. Incoming TACA Chairman of the Board Donna Wilhelm moved right in with a handful of envelopes.
Needless to say, the auditorium was filled with applause, smiles and cheers from the crowd of more than 300 people.
But there was more than the annual check handing out that resulted in happy faces.
Presenting sponsor Bank of Texas’ Bob White recalled the early days, when they presented checks for $300-400K in the 1990’s and thought it was a big deal.
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Patricia McGregor
The guest speaker was Patricia McGregor, who was directing “Stagger Lee,” a “work partially with support from the TACA Donna Wilhelm Family New Works Fund,” at the Dallas Theater Center. She explained the importance of art within her life — “Why I’m an artist: because my work will make the world a better place for my son.”
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Lauren Embrey and Megan Bowdon
After the presentation of the checks to the art groups and the collaborative groups, Donna announced that the creation of the TACA Bowdon and Embrey Family Foundations Artist Residency Fund providing an additional $100,000 per year in TACA Funding for at least three years. Lauren Embrey and Megan Bowdon explained the importance of providing new artists an opportunity.
According to Lauren, “We are honored to have this fund sit beside the Donna Wilhelm Family New Works Fund as TACA’s second artistic excellence grant fund. And we thank you all for the future great work that this fund will enable you to do for North Texas.”
The announcement was greeted with still more applause, cheers and really happy faces.
For photos of all the check hand overs, they’re on MySweetCharity Photo Gallery!