Austin, TX – September 25, 2006 – ProArts Collective and the Austin Community College District (ACC) are proud to announce a joint effort aimed at increasing opportunities for students in creative writing, drama and dance education, raising awareness of African-American performing arts, and developing relationships between the arts community and students.

“We are looking forward to a long and productive relationship with ACC,” said Lisa Byrd, executive director of ProArts. “They are being very generous in opening the college’s campuses to ProArts for rehearsal space and helping us to further our educational outreach programs. Soon students from middle schools and high schools in East Austin will find themselves welcomed by teachers at ACC.”

“ACC students will also benefit from this collaboration by working with the African-American arts community and performing with ProArts Collective professionals,” said Lyman Grant, Dean of ACC Arts and Humanities. “Ultimately, this partnership will also establish a certificate program for students pursuing technical careers in theatre.”

Under the agreement, ACC will provide a guest director for a ProArts Collective production annually, provide opportunities for their performers to participate in ACC productions and offer summer internships for high school theatre students. ProArts Collective will create workforce opportunities and internships for ACC students and offer student rates for performances.

In February, ACC drama instructor Marcus McQuirter will direct the ACC and ProArts joint production of the influential Adrienne Kennedy play “Funnyhouse of a Negro.” Both parties will create a scholarship fund in honor of Boyd Vance, founder of ProArts Collective to be awarded to an African American drama or dance student.