The Performing Arts Center Gives Back

Dan Bond '12

It is easy to receive from others, but to give back is much more difficult of a task. This is not the mind set of those at The Performing Arts Center of Connecticut (PACC) – they believe in the old adage, “It is better to give than to receive.” When collective individuals, under the leadership of an organization, are able to accomplish giving back in their community, it is worthy of recognition and attention. PACC is one such organization.

Located in Trumbull, PACC provides a state of the art facility and top level classes for those wishing to pursue excellence in a multitude of different areas of the arts. In order to give back to the community to which it belongs, PACC, over the last seven years has become a sponsor of two separate benefit concert/ programs: Ali’s Angels who support liver transplant patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, as well as the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship for graduating Trumbull High School seniors.

When asked why PACC founded and supports these two fund raising events, Executive Director, Catherine LaChioma stated, “It wasn't a conscious decision... it was really more of an extension of who we are, it is the mind set of who and what PACC is and the philosophy that it was built upon.”

To support the THS Performing Arts Scholarship and Yale New Haven’s Children’s Hospital Donor Foundation, PACC will be holding two separate benefit concerts featuring Trumbull High students, past and present, as well as other artists from around the area. The first will be Ali’s Angels on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 7:30 at the Edgerton Center for the Arts which is also co-sponsored by Sacred Heart University. Tickets are $20, or buy 4 get one free.

Ten years ago, Alison Cubbellotti, a Trumbull resident and graduate of THS, was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) an incurable disease affecting the liver. Age nine at the time, Ms. Cubbellotti was subjected to constant medical tests and procedure until in 2009 she received a desperately need liver transplant, saving her life.

As a result Alison, with the aid of PACC, was able to establish the Ali’s Angels Fund at Yale New Haven Hospital two years ago to help cover the costs of living not covered by insurance for the families of patients with liver diseases. Over the past two years the benefit concert has been able to raise over $18,000 dollars to support the fund. This benefit concert features song and dance – and this year will have the honor of having as their Special Guest Artist, Elizabeth Parkinson (Ms. Parkinson was the lead in “Movin’ Out and in Fosse on Broadway and was a principle dancer with Joffrey Ballet, Feld Ballet, Twyla Tharp and Donald Byrd/The Group).

The Steven A. Merrihew THS Performing Arts Scholarship will be held on Saturday, April 28 , 2012 at Trumbull High School at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students, and all proceeds are donated to the S.A.M. THS Performing Arts Scholarship. Six years ago the organization started a scholarship program for all students at THS who would be majoring in the arts at college. Over the past six years $30,000 in scholarships have been awarded to Trumbull High students– the amount awarded each year depends on the proceeds of the concert and number of recipients selected.

The scholarship is named after Steven Merrihew, a graduate of Trumbull High and lover of the arts who tragically died in a car accident five years ago. Steven was instrumental in setting up and supporting the first PACC THS scholarship, it was therefore fitting that the scholarship be named in his memory.

For more information on both benefit concerts, THS Performing Arts Scholarship Applications, and tickets call 203.372.ARTS or go to www.PACofCT.com. On its own, PACC can only do so much, but with the help of the student body, a true impact on the community can be made. By attending both benefit concerts, students are ensured a way to both help out two worthy causes as well as have a good time in the process.