Why Children’s Theater Matters: The Impact of the Arts on Young People
At first glance, children’s theater seems simple: over-the-top characters, brightly-colored costumes, and catchy songs. It’s an hour or two spent together as a family, and then it’s back to the “real world,” as the on-stage images fade into a distant memory.
Yet in reality, many studies show that children’s theater has a powerful impact on children and their emotional and social development. Engaging in the imaginative activities of musical theater fosters increased intelligence. Seeing the world through a new perspective helps young minds imagine new possibilities, new worlds, and new ideas. It gets children off their screens and into the “real world,” teaching them how to engage with their peers and resolve conflicts in meaningful, effective ways.
Children who attend live theater have shown greater tolerance of different people and ideas, as well as increased empathy for others. They view social studies concepts in a new light as history comes alive before their eyes. And these positive effects are amplified even more for those who conquer their fears and perform onstage themselves.
This is exactly why THE Performing Arts Company of Asheville (PACA) is committed to building a thriving children’s theater community—one that empowers young people to grow as artists, collaborators, and confident human beings. Through high-quality productions, thoughtful curriculum, and a supportive environment, PACA nurtures creativity, imagination, and emotional resilience in every student.
There is no doubt that theater not only entertains, but also enriches and enhances children’s lives in lasting, transformative ways.
Donate
With your fully tax-deductible donation to THE Performing Arts Company of Asheville, you can ensure that every child can experience the following:
Learn effective communication strategies
Learn about real life situations by embodying a character experiencing those situations
Manage anxiety that can often come with performing in front of an audience
Increase their happiness through playful peer interactions
Learn how to work together in groups
Identify emotions and understand the emotions of their fellow actors
Learn that every role on or behind the stage is crucial to the musical’s success
Increase their confidence after successfully performing in a musical or play
Partner With Us
Our esteemed partners assist us in bringing our off-Broadway caliber shows to life, allowing us to take our staff’s knowledge and expertise in the arts to new heights. Thanks to the generous support of these organizations and individuals who are committed to helping kids experience the life-changing effects of the performing arts–they give children the chance to discover both who they are now and who they will become one day.
Market yourself, your business or your foundation in front of thousands of eyes every show!
Expand your company’s visibility by reaching thousands of people during the extensive community upfront marketing efforts and the Playbill at the actual show.
We offer various recognition plans so that organizations or businesses can contribute at every level and feel generously rewarded in exchange. Various perks such as stage shout outs after each show, ads in our Playbill and logo recognition on various media outlets make your hard-earned donation worth it to you. You get a big “bang for your buck” when becoming a celebrated PACA partner.
Examples of Past Playbills
Sponsor a Child
While we fill our casts for every show, THE Performing Arts Company of Asheville (PACA) receives countless inquiries from families who see the value of performing arts but cannot afford to enroll their children. Many families are struggling in this challenging economy just to make ends meet, and they do not have the disposable income necessary to invest in arts education.
At the same time, because of ongoing school budget cuts, the United States is experiencing one of the largest arts-funding crises in modern history. Arts programs are often the first to be reduced or eliminated, leaving children without creative outlets during a crucial stage of their development. As a result, families increasingly rely on extracurricular arts opportunities—but access is limited to those who can afford it.
PACA believes that every child with the desire to perform should have the opportunity to do so. We refuse to let financial hardship be the reason a young artist is turned away.
Your donations have a profound and immediate impact on a child’s life. Through your support, we can offer scholarships, provide costumes and materials, and open the door for more young people to experience the magic, confidence, and community that the performing arts provide.
Arts for kids funded by corporate, foundation and individual donors provides scholarships for economically disadvantaged youth. People like you can make a difference in the lives of children by giving even a small tax-refundable donation to PACA.
Here’s what your donation will do:
$100 allows four kids the opportunity to experience firsthand one of our magical shows.
$225 allows one child between the ages of 4-7 the opportunity to take our AMT Class Series and get exposed to the basics of acting, singing and dancing
$355 allows one child, ages 8-18, to attend one of PACA’s week-long themed summer camps where they learn from experts in the arts
$500 allows one child, ages 8-18, the chance to be in one of our shows and learn from industry professionals and dedicated directors
$1000 allows two children the opportunity to join our cast.
We welcome larger donations. Please contact us for more information about how to become a Platinum Sponsor and make the biggest difference of all in the life of a child.
Volunteer
Join THE Performing Arts Company of Asheville (PACA) as a volunteer and experience the joy, energy, and magic of youth theater up close. Meet new people, learn new skills, and enjoy the unforgettable experience of supporting live performances that uplift young artists and the community.
If you’re passionate about helping children discover confidence, conquer fears, and live out their dreams onstage—or if you simply love being around the performing arts—this is the perfect place to get involved. We welcome your enthusiasm, your talents, and your heart.
Volunteers are essential to PACA’s success; we simply could not bring these productions to life without the dedication of our Asheville community and the greater Western North Carolina region. From backstage support and front-of-house roles to costume help, set building, administrative tasks, and more, there are countless meaningful ways to make a difference—even if financial giving isn’t an option.
Your time, your presence, and your willingness to serve help create extraordinary opportunities for young performers. We’re grateful for every volunteer who steps forward to support the next generation of artists.
Ushering
The venue where PACA performs requires a dedicated team of ushers for every show—friendly faces who help patrons find their seats, answer questions, and ensure a smooth, welcoming experience for our audience. We would love for you to join us as part of this important volunteer team.
Ushers follow a few simple requirements: reading a brief instructional email, wearing a black-and-white “usher uniform,” and arriving one hour before showtime. And the best part? Every usher receives a free ticket as a thank-you for their service, giving you the chance to enjoy the magic of a PACA performance from the audience.
If you’re looking for an easy, meaningful way to support young performers and be part of show day excitement, ushering is a perfect fit!
Community Service Opportunity
Are you a student looking for volunteer hours or extra credit? THE Performing Arts Company of Asheville (PACA) is a non-profit (501c3) and we can help you achieve your goals in exchange for your time and dedication to our shows.
Please contact us to inquire about how to satisfy community service requirements.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Become a member of our backstage crew and help move sets and props on and off the stage. Our shows would not be possible without a strong crew.
Are you a creative person looking for an outlet? We always need dedicated volunteers to help make costumes and props. And we could not make our “off Broadway” quality sets without thousands of man hours. We need you, whether you are an experienced costume maker or simply a glue-gun warrior.
Do you have knowledge in hair and makeup? We need you to help get our kids show-ready. Sitting in the hair and makeup chair as one of our volunteers brings each child’s character to life is one of our actor’s favorite experiences.
Do you have any knowledge of marketing, or are you willing to learn? Volunteer to hang posters around town, post about our shows on social media, help us sell ads for our Playbills. We can’t sell out our shows without a strong grassroots marketing strategy and we need people like you to help.
Are you new to theater but still want to contribute? Don’t worry, many of our volunteers have never done this before. We simply require responsible people who want to help kids and the arts.
Apply for a Scholarship
The Sunni Anders-Hoepgen Memorial Scholarship
The Sunni Anders-Hoepgen Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the life, spirit, and extraordinary light of Sunni Anders-Hoepgen, who passed away in August of 2025. Sunni was a cherished member of the AJT community—she performed in Guys and Dolls JR. in May 2025, helped teach and support our summer camps, and formed deep friendships with so many of our students. Her kindness, joy, and presence left a lasting mark on everyone she met.
Sunni had a passion for the performing arts and a heart for helping others. Just days before she passed, she was working on her vocal audition for The Lion King, full of excitement and possibility. This scholarship was created in an effort to keep her memory alive by carrying forward the love, generosity, and creative spirit she embodied.
The scholarship exists to ensure that financial limitations never prevent a child from accessing the performing arts. Through community support, it provides financial assistance to students who need help participating in classes, productions, and camps at PACA.
Families may apply for scholarship assistance if financial support is needed, and community members are invited to donate to help make these opportunities possible for a child in need. Every contribution honors Sunni’s legacy by opening doors, building confidence, and keeping the arts accessible to all.
✨ In Sunni’s memory, we give every child a chance to shine.