Due north Texas Performing Arts announced on February 25 that Sara Egelston Akers, the Founder of its Plano Children'due south Theatre, is retiring at the end of May 2022.

Sara Egelston Akers founded Plano Children'southward Theatre over iii decades ago. From that foundation, NTPA has become the largest youth theatre in the country. Sara served every bit Per centum's Executive Managing director and oversaw its theatre operations since 1991.

In 2015, Sara stepped downwardly from theatre management responsibilities and took on the office of overseeing NTPA's fundraising, community outreach and diversity efforts. Today, she serves every bit NTPA's Vice President of Community Outreach.

"Sara's impact on the performing arts across N Texas has been profound, and her work has impacted thousands of families," says NTPA'south Chief Executive Officer Darrell Rodenbaugh who has managed NTPA'due south operations since 2015. "Sara is a gifted educator, counselor, leader, artist and dear friend. Nosotros wish her the very best of happiness as she moves into this next phase of her life."

sara teaches children at pct
Sara Akers, founder of Plano Children's Theatre, is retiring. Pictured here in this older photo, Sara teaches children at Percent upon its founding. | Courtesy of North Texas Performing Arts

"North Texas Performing Arts has been a blessing to my life," says Sara Egelston Akers. "Our staff, artists, students and their parents are then very precious to me, and I feel so honored to see this incredible community come up together to experience and love the performing arts. I am proud of what we have built and am so thankful to our Governing Lath and our CEO for their astonishing work and support."

Sara's Plano Children's Theatre was 1 of the get-go dedicated youth theatres with a focus to put children on stage, adopting a casting philosophy that whatever kid could play whatever role, taking an early leadership part in diversity and inclusion.

Her piece of work to utilize drama equally a means of therapy for students with disabilities fabricated her a pioneer in a study that has since become mainstream, specially thank you to NTPA's Starcatchers troupe, which offers adaptive performing arts programs for students with disabilities.

"Sara Akers has been a vital and creative contributor to Plano's performing arts landscape, and nosotros are so thankful for her leadership and impact over the by three decades," said Plano mayor John Muns.  "The metropolis and entire N Texas region owe Sara a debt of gratitude for the many gifts she has shared with u.s.a.. We are thrilled to honor her equally she moves to the adjacent chapter in her life."

willow bend center of the arts grand opening mike mazur darrell rodenbuagh sara akers steve flad
The Willow Bend Middle of the Arts grand opening. Mike Mazur, Darrell Rodenbuagh, Sara Akers, and Steve Flad. | Courtesy of N Texas Performing Arts

Sara will go on to serve on NTPA'south Governing Board of Directors, direct and teach, participate in its Arts Advisory Council, the NTPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Strength and other efforts.

NTPA's Governing Board through its management succession plan appointed twenty-year development veteran Patricia Gregory in the part of Senior Director of Evolution 2 years ago with the responsibleness of overseeing NTPA'due south fundraising and evolution operations.

"Sara Akers has fabricated an indelible impact on the arts in North Texas during her thirty-twelvemonth career. She has ignited a passion for the arts within tens of thousands of children, encouraging them to reach their full potential." says Katherine Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council for the Arts. "In that location is no incertitude that Sara has fabricated our families and communities stronger and amend through her vision, inspiration, conclusion and hard work. She is much loved for her middle and her contributions."

NTPA has established the "Sara Egelston Akers Legacy Fund" which will provide support for NTPA'southward needs-based scholarships, enabling youth from all backgrounds and abilities to have admission to the best-in-class performing arts experiences provided by N Texas Performing Arts.

More data tin exist found at NTPA.org.

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