.In an effort to inspire more youth to attend the theatre, longtime supporters of Laguna Playhouse and the arts, Suzanne and James Mellor have created The Suzanne and James Mellor Laguna Playhouse Tribute Fund, which will provide free tickets to young audiences 21 and under for select shows during the subscription season.
Suzanne and James have supported Laguna Playhouse for more than two decades. Both have served on the Board of Trustees of Laguna Playhouse, have helped lead the Playhouse’s philanthropic efforts as donors, and have served in leadership roles throughout the Laguna art community.
As one of the founding members of the Playhouse Women, Suzanne chaired the first gala, and James served as Chairman of the Board for many years. “While we have given to the Playhouse for many years, both Suzanne and I feel like we are the beneficiaries,” said James Mellor. Through the tribute fund, Suzanne and James will provide the same theatre experiences they enjoy to youth building an audience for the future.
The Mellors raised more than $90,000 to launch the Tribute Fund, thus providing an opportunity to bring nearly 5,000 young adults to Laguna Playhouse.
“This incredible gift will allow us to bring thousands of young people into our theatre,” said Ellen Richard, Laguna Playhouse Executive Director. “The opportunity to build empathy and understanding in the next generation with shows like ‘12 Angry Men’, ‘Clybourne Park’, and ‘The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey’ is priceless. This gift has the power to change lives.”
Laguna Playhouse is noted for its artistic excellence, wide-ranging performing arts programming, community engagement, and award-winning theatre education for the next generation.
ABOUT LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season.
Laguna Playhouse educational programming, includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.
Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in 2016 and 2015 as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre. The Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Val Kilmer, Dan Lauria, Wendie Malick, Rita Rudner, Charles Shaughnessy, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.
Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
David Elzer
DEMAND PR
