Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Young People’s Theatre is thrilled to announce an extraordinary gift of $3 million from the Slaight Family for the creation of the Ada Slaight Education Centre at YPT. It is the largest non-capital gift ever received by a theatre company in Toronto.
The Slaight family has been a dedicated supporter of YPT throughout its rich, 50-year history. Ada Slaight is one of the premiere advocates for arts education inCanada and her impact on Young People’s Theatre over the years has been vast. She has provided life-changing opportunities for thousands of children through her generous patronage of YPT’s community and professional arts education programs.
“It is my pleasure to honour my mother’s ongoing and unwavering support of arts education for children, teens, and young adults. Over the years, she has not only funded many valuable learning programs and projects at many organizations, she has also provided the gift of her time through her volunteer work. My family believes that theatre can have a truly positive effect on the emotional, social, and intellectual development of young people and we are proud to support the expansion of Education & Participation programs at Young People’s Theatre. I hope other donors will follow our lead.” – Gary Slaight
This philanthropic gift will allow YPT to extend access through subsidized and free tickets to its professional theatre productions, and to increase the number of Drama School bursaries for young people who might not have the means to participate or attend. Additionally it will provide the opportunity for YPT to expand its participatory theatre programs in the community, its training programs, and its professional theatre apprenticeships. It will also give the company the chance to broaden its nationwide research into arts education.
“The impact of this generosity is far-reaching for YPT. We know that the Ada Slaight Education Centre at YPT will have a transformative effect on so many young people -- opening their hearts and minds to the arts for their lifetimes. We are enormously grateful to the Slaight Family, and for the long-term patronage of Ada Slaight.” – Nancy Webster, Executive Director.
2015-03-23
Toronto: Young People's Theatre announces $3 million gift in honour of Ada Slaight