Dallas, TX -- Dallas Children's Theater(DCT) Event Co-Chairs Maggie Kipp and Tara Lewis have promised that this year's Girls Party event hosted by longtime board member and major donor Nancy Carlson is going to be filled with surprises, but they are letting a few of the secrets out ahead of time. This one is a real winner. It has just been announced that the accomplished Linda Gray who plays "Sue Ellen" in the hit TV series Dallas will be the Honorary Celebrity Chairperson at the event. DCT Board Chairman Sharron Hunt gets the nod for helping to land this one!
The event, scheduled for Thursday, April 3 starting at 7 p.m. at the Carlson home will commemorate the theater's 30 years of service to the community in only the way a few hundred ladies can. Great decorations, unique food and unmatched entertainment surprises are just a few of the things that Co-Chairs Maggie Kipp and Tara Lewis have in store for attendees. While they will be teasing a few of the treats ahead of time, they say you'll have to buy a ticket to benefit from some of the real gems.
When asked why she chose to align with Dallas Children's Theater, Gray said, "I love what Dallas Children's Theater does. Every child needs a home like DCT where they can discover themselves. Whether you are an audience member or you're on stage, theater allows you to use all of your senses in creative and imaginative ways. I'd say it is important food for the spirit and every child should get a taste of that in their formative years. How fortunate Dallas is to have a place dedicated to children and families year round. It's a treasure I'm proud to be associated with."
Funds raised from The Girls Party will help DCT continue to provide over 250,000 children and families annually with Broadway-like shows based on children's literature and beloved stories; free and reduced tickets for students to attend shows as part of a field trip; summer acting camps and so much more. While DCT generates 60% of its annual revenue through ticket sales and is considered one of the most efficient performing arts organizations in this regard, it relies on donations and sponsorships for the remaining 40%. Executive Artistic Director Robyn Flatt says that without this community support, DCT doesn't exist.
Linda Gray is an award-winning actress, an accomplished director, a former United Nations Ambassador and one of the world's most recognized and admired stars. Her award-winning portrayal of 'Sue Ellen', in the original TV series "Dallas", brought her international fame and critical acclaim earning her an Emmy nomination for Best Actress and numerous international awards including Germany's Bambi Award, Italy's Il Gato for Best Actress on Television, and she was voted 'Woman of the Year' by the Hollywood Radio & Television Society. After eleven years on American television, "Dallas" is still in syndication around the world. It was during this time that Linda made her directorial debut on "Dallas", gaining experience working as a director on the show.
She appeared on stage in England in the original stage production of "Terms of Endearment", based on the screenplay of the Oscar-winning motion picture, and also starred in the West End production of "The Graduate" playing to sell-out audiences, and replaced Kathleen Turner on Broadway for a limited engagement.
Linda made her theater directing debut with "Murder in the First", and other acting stage work includes "The Vagina Monologues", "Agnes of God" and "Love Letters". She has numerous TV credits including the successful series "Melrose Place" and "Models Inc." and has starred in many other television movies. Linda has her own production company, LG Productions, Inc.
Ladies: do something good for yourself and for the community! Share an evening of fun with the girls and help DCT continue to train the arts patrons and professionals of tomorrow.
THE GIRLS PARTY
Benefiting Dallas Children's Theater
Thursday, April 3rd
7:00 pm until .
At the beautiful Park Cities home of Nancy Carlson
Single Tickets $150
For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Sandra Session-Robertson (Sandra.Robertson@dct.org), Tele Durham (tele.durham@dct.org) or visit www.dct.org/girlsparty.
DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATER BY THE NUMBERS
. DCT reaches more children and families annually than any other performing arts organization in the metroplex.
. More than 50,000 students and teachers experience DCT at an extremely discounted price each year.
. Up to 10,000 FREE tickets are given away each year by DCT for the Mayor's Summer Reading Program.
. Nearly 4 million people have seen a DCT performance in its 30-year history.
. DCT produces 535 performances each year; 368 in the Rosewood Center for Family Arts; 386 in Dallas; and another 149 beyond the metroplex.
. DCT's Tour travels to nearly 26 states and 52 cities annually. DCT has even taken its award-winning work to the far corners of the world, including Shanghai, China.
. DCT earns 60% of its operating funds through ticket sales and other revenue. The remaining 40% comes from charitable giving, made possible through donations and special events.
. DCT has been recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the top five children's theaters in the country.
MORE ABOUT DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATER
Dallas Children's Theater features paid professional actors performing for an annual audience of 250,000 young people and their families through 9 main stage productions, a national touring company, and an arts-in-education program. As the only major organization in Dallas focusing solely on youth and family theater, DCT builds bridges of understanding between generations and cultures, instilling an early appreciation of literature, art and the performing arts in tomorrow's artists and patrons.