Steve Smith presents a donation to Theatre Bristol and Bristol Ballet.
Representing each side of the state line and two types of performing arts, Theatre Bristol and Bristol Ballet joined with Food City and served as August Family Race Night volunteers. In return, Dec. 19, Food City presented Michele Plescia of Bristol Ballet and Samantha Gray of Theatre Bristol a donation check of $7,500 at the Euclid Food City. The contribution supports affordable performances for schoolchildren, their scholarship programs and general operations to help support their 2018 seasons.
"Food City's contributions have significantly benefited nonprofits in our community, and the Bristol Ballet and Theatre Bristol were grateful to have been selected by the organizing committee. The organizations worked for weeks to gather the needed volunteers to work the daylong event alongside the many Food City employee volunteers," says Gray.
Theatre Bristol and Bristol Ballet are very familiar with Food City Family Race Night, their respective students and performers are often downtown for rehearsal for a portion of the evening's events while waiting family members attend the event. The organizations gained an appreciation for all that goes into the event and just how much the racing fans -volunteers included - enjoyed the opportunity to meet their sports' heroes.
Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children's theater in Northeast Tennessee. Its main stage season consists of up to six productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theater, and other performances are on stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts.
The Bristol Ballet school and company were founded in 1948 by Constance Hardinge. She opened the school after falling in love with the area, having been drawn to Bristol on a temporary teaching contract with Sullins College. For the last six years, Bristol Ballet has been located on State Street, where Hardinge's vision carries on. Students of all ages may register for ballet classes and there are many opportunities for supporters of ballet to become involved.
"Bristol Ballet and Theatre Bristol thank Steve Smith for the generous contribution, Lisa Johnson and Alisa Sturgill for their support and assistance, all the Food City volunteers, Board Presidents for speaking at the event, all the race fans and many devoted volunteers for all their hard work," Gray says.
