Have you wondered how the Dietrich Theater is able to offer so many free classes and events? One of the reasons is that we have an amazing Dietrich Fundraising Committee and a very energetic go-getter chairman of that committee — Viola Henning. All are volunteers who believe in providing opportunities for everyone, from preschool children to adults, regardless of ability to pay. Under Viola’s leadership, the committee has raised over $13,000 this last year, enough to support free classes, scholarships for all in need, and eight months of Open Mic at the Dietrich.
Four years ago, our executive director Erica Rogler received a letter from Viola. In the letter, Viola said she would like to volunteer at the Dietrich Theater and she included her stunning resume. We asked her to come and talk to us and the rest is history.
Viola is a powerhouse of good ideas, talent, and energy, and has now chaired the Dietrich Fundraising Committee for three years and serves on the Dietrich Board of Directors. Always willing to do something new, she is a frequent MC of Open Mic. Thanks, Viola, and thank you to the entire Dietrich Fundraising Committee for bringing so many opportunities to our community.
Fundraisers such as basket raffles, movie raffles and events such as the upcoming Touch a Truck provide free preschool art classes all year. Amy Colley, art instructor, introduces art to the 4 and 5-year-olds, teaching them that they are all artists. Through early experiences with drawing and painting, pottery and sculpture, creativity flourishes. That is why we want to expose the very young to preschool art classes.
The Dietrich Fundraising Committee is also committed to providing scholarships for classes in Pottery and Sculpture, Trash to Treasures, Wearable Art, and Digital Art classes for children ages 5-12. We believe the arts are for everyone, not just for those who can afford to pay for them. “A student involved in the arts is four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement,” according to Americans for the Arts. Two days of dance classes for children ages 2-9 are also free due to the efforts of the committee.
The hard earned dollars also pay for eight months of Open Mic at the Dietrich: from March through October free Open Mic night on the fourth Friday of every month is for everyone. All kinds of talents have an opportunity to take the stage followed by a performance of an specially invited performer. The committee funds all eight Open Mics!
When you buy a movie raffle ticket or a strawberry shortcake or basket raffle ticket on Founders Day in Tunkhannock, when you participate in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, when you bring your kids or grandkids to Touch-a-Truck, you are investing in arts education for our community. For details about these programs, go to www.dietrichtheater.com or call 570-996-1500.
