For the past few years, students and faculty alike have looked forward to the incredible shows performed by the university’s theatre program.

Directed by faculty advisor Brett D. Johnson, Ph.D, the program has been able to perform a variety of successful productions, including the cleverly funny “Urinetown,” the sultry “Cabaret” and a production of the play “The Laramie Project.”

Though nearly every show performed on stage has been a hit with the campus community, it would not be so without the hard work and efforts of every talented student performer and backstage worker, as well as the many members of the Mercyhurst and Erie communities who financially support the program with their ticket purchases.

Unfortunately, ticket revenues do not fully cover operating expenses.

The remaining funds, especially those that go toward the summer theatre program, must be raised through contributions, mostly in the form of gifts given by supportive faculty and alumni.

In an effort to raise more money, the Mercyhurst Theatre Program (MTP) launched its professional summer theatre program in June 2014 with the musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

For this performance, every single cast member and backstage worker signed a professional contract and earned a stipend for their work, which gave these students the opportunity to work in a professional setting and practice their craft in front of an audience that would not regularly have access to live theatre.

In support of the mission, the MTP donated 40 percent of its seats for “Charlie Brown” to local non-profit organizations.

When asked why he believes theatre is an essential part of the college experience, as well as a liberal arts education that is given at Mercyhurst, Johnson replied with a paraphrased quote by Augusto Boal, that “to teach and to learn theatre is to teach and to learn humanity.”

The theatre program at Mercyhurst is an all-around incredible program that is in need of extra support from all who appreciate it.

Anyone who donates will receive recognition in the program and one ticket to the summer production for a gift as low at $25, or anyone who donates $200, will receive two tickets for the summer production, one pass for the Mercyhurst Theatre Program’s 2015-2016 academic season and two passes to a private reception with Tony Award-winning actress Elizabeth Ashley in March.

Gifts can be made online at hurstalumni.org/theatre or by check payable to Mercyhurst Theatre Program.

Please donate to the theatre program and show your support for theatre and the incredible talent at Mercyhurst University.