Feature: Utah Rep's BARE Preview Raises 'Phenomenal' Donations for Youth Support Group

Utah Repertory Theater Company's Champagne Brunch Preview for its regional premiere production of "Bare" was a "phenomenal success," according to Artistic Director Johnny Hebda.

Donations were made to a nonprofit youth support organization, which provides services to youth and those affected by homelessness.

"The total cash donated during the event is $746," said Turner C. Bitton, treasurer of OUTreach Support Centers, the recipient of the donation. "Additionally, an anonymous donor is buying out one performance of the show, to provide free tickets to local youths, so we raised over $3,000 at a single event. This is an awesome sum of money."

"I absolutely love the mission of the Outreach Resource Centers and am excited to make the message of 'Bare' one that extends directly into our communities," said Hebda, who is also the director of "Bare." "We look forward to future partnerships with OUTreach and share in their enthusiasm for providing resources for homeless youth within our community. The event was moving and emotional, and I believe that theater has the power to impact and touch people in unique ways. And it's my hope that through 'Bare' that we will be able to share this message with those people that need to hear it the most."

Following the Sunday, Jan. 11, event, a note was received that highlights the impact of the preview: "I want you to tell the folks that performed today that I haven't been so strongly moved by a production as I was by today's performances. I barely held back tears."

Utah State Senator Jim Dabakis, a co-founder of Equality Utah and the Utah Pride Center, was a special guest at the donor preview.

"This event marks what will likely be one of many successes that Utah Rep lends to the OUTreach Resource Centers," said Bitton. "It is because of events like this that our partnership will lead to the realization of our dream for a drop-in center in Salt Lake County. We're incredibly thankful for the work of Utah Rep and look forward to our partnership for years to come."

"Bare" is a coming-of-age story of a group of high school seniors at a co-ed Catholic boarding school, with each struggling to define themselves in the face of their relationships, sexuality, and religion. As they search to come to terms with who they are -- and who the world thinks they should be -- they seek answers from their church, their friends, and, ultimately, from within themselves. A story of discovery, acceptance and love, the storyline of "Bare" involves a clandestine relationship between two young men who are roommates, along with a few of their close friends. As these characters navigate adolescence, we see the consequences of secrecy unravel though their eyes and those around them.

For more information on Utah Rep, visit the company website at UtahRep.org. Advance tickets can be purchased at UtahRep.org/tickets.

Utah Rep, a wholly 501(c)3 non-profit organization, will produce Jan. 16-31, 2015, at the company's resident theater, the newly established Sugar Space Warehouse Theater, 130 S. 800 West in the River District area of Salt Lake City.

To make quality theater productions affordable to all Utah residents, Utah Rep sponsors a special Pay As You May performance for each of its five shows per year in its annual season. The "Bare" Pay As You May performance is Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, with this production Utah Rep is offering a special performance with $10 tickets available to students with a valid student ID.

Donations received from Pioneer Theatre Company, Salt Lake Acting Company, Utah Shakespeare Festival and other groups were given as door prizes during the reception. The brunch was catered as a donation by Le Croissant Catering & Events.

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