During a press conference and logo unveiling held Thursday inside the lobby of the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC), officials announced plans to expand SKyPAC’s youth education outreach as part of an acquisition of BG OnStage, a pillar in the youth community theatre world.
The move, scheduled to take place in January 2020, will unite BG OnStage’s highly revered theatre lineup with pre-existing content at SKyPAC, which has an annual outreach to more than 15,000 youth who experienced a performance, participated in a residency, or toured SKyPAC’s galleries.
As part of the transition, BG OnStage will establish offices inside the historic Capitol Arts Theatre and utilize both SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center facilities for future events and performances.
Founded in 2009 as the Art Education Task Force by Flora Templeton Stuart, BG OnStage was intended for ages 6 through adult from all backgrounds to explore the depths of their creativity and experience the thrill of live performances. Since its inception, BG OnStage has become one of the region’s premier educational arts organizations providing school day performances for thousands of children and young adults ranging in age from 6 to 18. Known for their summer musicals and community focus, BG OnStage hosts a number of classes and workshops including private acting and audition prep classes and voice and piano lessons which are expected to continue as part of the SKyPAC acquisition.
The following are prepared statements from officials closely involved with the SKyPAC Presents BG OnStage alliance:
SKyPAC President & CEO Tom Carto:
“Since the inception of the SKyPAC Foundation and the completion of this extraordinary facility, as well as the management agreement to operate the Capitol Arts Center with the County, the mission of this organization has always been firmly rooted in education, outreach, and community programs to enrich the quality of life in the region. This partnership continues to fulfill that promise to the community, in that both BG OnStage and SKyPAC will be stronger as a result and create a synergy together that could not have been achieved otherwise.”
Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon:
“SKyPAC is the premiere performing arts center in this region, and has proven to deliver top quality entertainment and arts education. Meanwhile, from a separate location, the professionalism and successes of BG OnStage performances have been impressive, and I believe they will enhance the SKyPAC mission of providing the experience of artistic expression to all ages. I am proud that BG OnStage will be a part of SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center, and will be home to all future performances of BG OnStage. I believe this to be a perfect partnership, that is what was meant to be!”
BG OnStage Artistic & Education Director Elise Charny:
“I am very excited to start this new chapter of BG OnStage. I have been a part of the company in a part time capacity since its inception, then full time in 2014. Growing this theatre company has been extremely challenging yet rewarding at the same time. There are students that I have been working with for upwards of 7-8 years. To see these kids grow in the theatre from children to young adults has been so amazing. I cannot wait to continue this growth and expansion with SKyPAC to continue to create and produce quality theatre education programs and productions to the community.”
SKyPAC offers a wide range of arts and education programs, performances, classes and in-school residences designed to achieve SKyPAC’s vision of creating a better community. Working alongside educators within south central Kentucky’s ten county area (comprised of Warren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Barren, Metcalfe, Allen, Monroe, Simpson, and Logan) SKyPAC provides guidance for integrating arts into the classroom through artist-in-residence programs and professional development workshops. Incorporating BG OnStage into SKyPAC’s educational mission further enhances the opportunities for youth to experience personal achievement and creative fulfillment, while boosting their confidence and self-esteem, and providing tools for various facets of their lives. Instead of purely being a channel for art in this community, SKyPAC’s acquisition of BG OnStage means SKyPAC will now be producers of art as well.
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About SKyPAC: SKyPAC Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, oversees the administration of SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center facilities and programs. A premier entertainment center, SKyPAC is a multi-use facility located in downtown Bowling Green. The facility includes an 1,800-seat state-of-the-art auditorium that serves as the home of Orchestra Kentucky; The Renshaw Education Center, which houses the Carol Wedge Studio Theater - a flexible 2,600 sq. ft. space for intimate productions and gatherings; several multi-functional rehearsal halls/classrooms; a children’s art gallery and a main gallery. The Capitol Arts Center provides a 750-seat auditorium and two art galleries, the Houchens Gallery and Mezzanine Gallery.
Pictured left to right: SKyPAC President & CEO Tom Carto, Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon, Art Education Task Force/BG OnStage Founder Flora Templeton Stuart, BG OnStage Artistic & Education Director - Elise Charny.
SKyPAC to incorporate BG OnStage into Education Operations
During a press conference and logo unveiling held Thursday inside the lobby of the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC), officials announced plans to expand SKyPAC’s youth education outreach as part of an acquisition of BG OnStage, a pillar in the youth community theatre world.
The move, scheduled to take place in January 2020, will unite BG OnStage’s highly revered theatre lineup with pre-existing content at SKyPAC, which has an annual outreach to more than 15,000 youth who experienced a performance, participated in a residency, or toured SKyPAC’s galleries.
As part of the transition, BG OnStage will establish offices inside the historic Capitol Arts Theatre and utilize both SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center facilities for future events and performances.
Founded in 2009 as the Art Education Task Force by Flora Templeton Stuart, BG OnStage was intended for ages 6 through adult from all backgrounds to explore the depths of their creativity and experience the thrill of live performances. Since its inception, BG OnStage has become one of the region’s premier educational arts organizations providing school day performances for thousands of children and young adults ranging in age from 6 to 18. Known for their summer musicals and community focus, BG OnStage hosts a number of classes and workshops including private acting and audition prep classes and voice and piano lessons which are expected to continue as part of the SKyPAC acquisition.
The following are prepared statements from officials closely involved with the SKyPAC Presents BG OnStage alliance:
SKyPAC President & CEO Tom Carto:
“Since the inception of the SKyPAC Foundation and the completion of this extraordinary facility, as well as the management agreement to operate the Capitol Arts Center with the County, the mission of this organization has always been firmly rooted in education, outreach, and community programs to enrich the quality of life in the region. This partnership continues to fulfill that promise to the community, in that both BG OnStage and SKyPAC will be stronger as a result and create a synergy together that could not have been achieved otherwise.”
Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon:
“SKyPAC is the premiere performing arts center in this region, and has proven to deliver top quality entertainment and arts education. Meanwhile, from a separate location, the professionalism and successes of BG OnStage performances have been impressive, and I believe they will enhance the SKyPAC mission of providing the experience of artistic expression to all ages. I am proud that BG OnStage will be a part of SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center, and will be home to all future performances of BG OnStage. I believe this to be a perfect partnership, that is what was meant to be!”
BG OnStage Artistic & Education Director Elise Charny:
“I am very excited to start this new chapter of BG OnStage. I have been a part of the company in a part time capacity since its inception, then full time in 2014. Growing this theatre company has been extremely challenging yet rewarding at the same time. There are students that I have been working with for upwards of 7-8 years. To see these kids grow in the theatre from children to young adults has been so amazing. I cannot wait to continue this growth and expansion with SKyPAC to continue to create and produce quality theatre education programs and productions to the community.”
SKyPAC offers a wide range of arts and education programs, performances, classes and in-school residences designed to achieve SKyPAC’s vision of creating a better community. Working alongside educators within south central Kentucky’s ten county area (comprised of Warren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Barren, Metcalfe, Allen, Monroe, Simpson, and Logan) SKyPAC provides guidance for integrating arts into the classroom through artist-in-residence programs and professional development workshops. Incorporating BG OnStage into SKyPAC’s educational mission further enhances the opportunities for youth to experience personal achievement and creative fulfillment, while boosting their confidence and self-esteem, and providing tools for various facets of their lives. Instead of purely being a channel for art in this community, SKyPAC’s acquisition of BG OnStage means SKyPAC will now be producers of art as well.
###
About SKyPAC: SKyPAC Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, oversees the administration of SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center facilities and programs. A premier entertainment center, SKyPAC is a multi-use facility located in downtown Bowling Green. The facility includes an 1,800-seat state-of-the-art auditorium that serves as the home of Orchestra Kentucky; The Renshaw Education Center, which houses the Carol Wedge Studio Theater - a flexible 2,600 sq. ft. space for intimate productions and gatherings; several multi-functional rehearsal halls/classrooms; a children’s art gallery and a main gallery. The Capitol Arts Center provides a 750-seat auditorium and two art galleries, the Houchens Gallery and Mezzanine Gallery.