PPAC launches initiative to get every R.I. 10th-grader to free show

"FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" is one of the shows that Rhode Island 10th-graders will be able to see for free during the 2019-2020 season at Providence Performing Arts Center under a new initiative called Experience PPAC. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER/JOAN MARCUS

PROVIDENCE – The Providence Performing Arts Center will provide every 10th-grader in Rhode Island a chance to see a touring Broadway performance for free as part of a new initiative called Experience PPAC.

In announcing the multiyear program on Tuesday, PPAC said it will partner with the school bus company First Student to provide transportation. The show tickets and the buses will be paid for by PPAC.

“Through this program, we are ensuring that every student in Rhode Island will ‘experience PPAC’ and the ‘world of Broadway,’ ” PPAC Chairman Joseph W. Walsh said in a statement.

Added Dana Brazil, PPAC director of education: “Participating in and exposure to the arts positively affects the lives of students: it increases self-esteem, inspires creativity and helps to build communication skills, among many other benefits.”

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PPAC President J.L. “Lynn” Singleton estimated that between 9,000 and 10,000 high school sophomores – from public and private schools as well as children who are home-schooled – will have the opportunity to see a morning presentation of “Come From Away” on Dec. 5 or “Fiddler on the Roof” on Feb. 13. PPAC will announce a third special morning presentation at a later date.

Singleton said PPAC will pay for the touring companies to perform the extra shows. He said the center hasn’t negotiated the fees for the shows or the transportation, so he couldn’t be specific about costs. But he said the initiative would be paid for out of PPAC’s $1 million community outreach fund.

The center wants Experience PPAC to run “as long as PPAC is here” and have the initiative become “part of our portfolio,” Singleton said.

Experience PPAC got its start last week when students from West Warwick High School and Central High School attended a matinee performance of “The Phantom of the Opera.” The students also attended a post-show talk with cast members. The event took place without much of a hitch, Singleton said, including dropping off and picking up the students in 52 school buses.

As part of the initiative, study guides related to the performances will be provided to the schoolchildren beforehand.

William Hamilton is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Hamilton@PBN.com.

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