FLINT, Michigan — There are many things to look forward to at the McCree Theatre, and its first-ever 'Summer Soiree' fundraiser in Flint is one of them. The event happens on Saturday, August 27 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the newly renovated
Sloan Museum of Discovery, located at 1221 E Kearsley St.
McCree Theatre is a non-profit organization that has been around since 1970. Although the theatre went on a hiatus — performing from one rental space to another for 17 years — it was not until last year that they finally purchased a permanent home to continue providing arts for the community of Flint.
The theatre’s mission is to tell the African American story in the African American voice and offers many different types of programs and productions to do just that.
“We offer a wide array of programs for children, youth, and adults,” said Charles Winfrey, the Executive Director of McCree Theatre. “In addition to our workshops, we produce four mainstage major productions each season, and we also [have] a Black history film series that includes three or four Black history films each season.”
The theatre offers a Saturday camp for children from ages 5 to 13 as well as workshops for adults that are put on by a repertory company that engages in dance, music, and drama, according to Winfrey.
McCree also provides a professional artist series to the community that consists of performances put on by local and regional artists.
For the first time since the theatre began, McCree is hosting its very own fundraiser in order to raise funds to sustain the theatre’s continuous programming.
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Charles Winfrey, Executive Director of McCree Theatre.Hosted by Dan Jones from ABC 12, the aptly-titled 'Summer Soiree – Act I' fundraiser will feature dinner and live entertainment from Blue Michael and other music artists.
Those in attendance can expect great food and fun while learning more about African American theatre from the event's special guest, Woody King Jr.
“He has done so many things to promote and elevate Black theatre as a movement throughout the country,” said Winfrey. “He’s going to offer insights as to the relevance of Afro-centric theatre on America's cultural landscape, and we look forward to that.”
Winfrey also shared that the fundraiser will also be a great opportunity to network as well. “We have over 20 sponsors for this event and most of them will be in attendance so it'd be a great opportunity to come just for the sake of networking with other people.”
For those unable to attend the fundraiser, Woody King Jr. will also be conducting a workshop that Saturday morning to share his knowledge with the community. The workshop starts at 10 a.m. and is free to the public.
The theatre is always accepting donations on its
website as well as volunteers for any events or programs.
“We had 115 young people register for our summer camp in the performing arts when we had only anticipated only around 50 to 60. That is an indicator of the great need for art in our community,” said Winfrey. “We would really like the community to get behind us to support us, to donate, and to assist us by volunteering when they're able to.”
Dinner Tickets for the 'Summer Soiree: Act 1' fundraiser are $100 and can be purchased through McCree Theatre's website.
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