MRT's 39th Anniversary Gala Raises $110,000 For Its Education Programs

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) is thrilled to have raised $110,000 for its signature education programs Student Matinees and Young Company during its 39th Anniversary Gala on June 2, 2018, in Lowell. This is the most raised for education programs at the Gala in the last three years.

"We could not be more excited by what these funds will mean to our local students," said MRT's Executive Director Bonnie Butkas. "This is my first Gala at MRT and it is so inspiring to see the energy that the people of Lowell and the Merrimack Valley region have for supporting a great cultural institution like MRT. We are truly grateful."

MRT's Artistic Director Sean Daniels added, "The remarkable generosity of our supporters will allow us to bring some of the nation's best live theatre to thousands of students next Season, with three of the great writers of our generation premiering work in 2018-19: Jack Kerouac, Lauren Gunderson, and Wendy MacLeod. I can't wait to share all seven plays in our 40th anniversary Season with our Lowell community."

Some 200 guests attended MRT's annual Gala, and bid on silent and live auction items throughout the evening. The event honored longtime supporter Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, who received the Donahue Community Leadership Award, and the late John Levicki, MRT's assistant house manager, who was posthumously presented with the Tsongas Award. The crowd mingled to songs by The Real Cool Cats and were treated to performances by MRT actors Charissa Bertels (My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend) and Kristen Mengelkoch (The Villains' Supper Club). The emcee and auctioneer was Julia Brothers (Silent Sky). For a full list of sponsors and event details, visit: mrt.org/gala.

MRT's educational programming features Student Matinees and Young Company and serves more than 6,000 children and youth in Lowell and the entire Merrimack Valley region. To learn more, visit mrt.org/education.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) has been Merrimack Valley's professional theatre company since 1979 and is an integral part of Lowell's identity as the cultural heart of the region. MRT's mission is to share theatrical stories of human understanding that reflect and engage our community. A seven-show season runs from September through May in the intimate 279-seat Nancy L. Donahue Theatre. The company is known as a leader in producing new plays, especially world and regional premieres. MRT is one of 72 theatres nationwide (one of three in Massachusetts) with membership in LORT (the League of Resident Theatres).

Circle Health is the 2017-18 Season Sponsor. Merrimack Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

To post a comment, you must register and login.