PPAC's THE SPLENDOR OF MEXICO to Bring Cranston Students to the Theater

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) and Bank of America continue their 15-year partnership this week with a production of "The Splendor of Mexico - A Celebration of Mexican Music & Dance." This year, the Bank of America Arts Showcase will allow approximately 10,000 local middle-school students to attend one of five featured performances free of charge.

"We are very appreciative to Bank of America for their continued support of the Arts Showcase program; through this program, middle school students across Rhode Island have had the chance to experience the excitement and artistry of all forms of performing arts," said Cynthia Goldsmith, PPAC Director of Special Projects/Assistant to the President. "The Splendor of Mexico - A Celebration of Mexican Music & Dance" with Veronica Robles and her Mariachi Band is brand new to our Showcase, and we are excited to have them perform!"

The program is designed to entertain, educate, and inspire student audiences in new ways. Prior to each performance, PPAC provides participating teachers with study guides to integrate the performance with classroom activities. Since the program's launch in 1998, more than 100,000 Rhode Island middle school students have attended and enjoyed free live performances at PPAC. Local artists from around New England are given the opportunity to perform theatre, music, or dance before a large audience on the PPAC stage, making it a true community program. Bank of America has been a title sponsor of the showcase since its inception in 1998.

"Continued support of the arts is a critical component of building strong, vibrant communities," said William Hatfield, Bank of America Rhode Island market president. "Our longstanding partnership with PPAC is all about access, and sharing their exceptional programming with the widest possible audience."

The Providence Performing Arts Center is a 3100-seat venue listed on the National Register of Historic Places. PPAC presents a full roster of touring Broadway theatricals and has been the location of choice in recent years for opening a number of national tours. In the fall of 2013, PPAC will open the North American tours of EVITA, ONCE, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. PPAC is also dedicated to community outreach, and has a number of programs, like the Bank of America Arts Showcase, in their Community Outreach Initiative, which makes the Theatre accessible to a wider range of audiences. Learn more about PPAC at www.ppacri.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProvPacRI and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ProvPacRI

Bank of America's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.