Sponsor a Young Performer in Marin Summer Theater

Marin Summer Theater, a four-year-old nonprofit company of high school- and college-age performing artists, is appealing to the public to help cover scholarships for young applicants who don't have the funds to participate.

Pat Nims, co-founder and director of the summer theater, said he faces a May 1 deadline to raise $2,500 in order to provide scholarships worth $3,500 to handle all the funding requests.

Auditions are completed and MST has selected its company of actors, singers, dancers, musicians and techs for performances that begin in July. The lineup is the musical Spring Awakening (July 5-8 at playhouse), The Importance of Being Earnest (July 12-15, 's Emily Gates Student Center) and the musical Legally Blonde (July 26-29 at the Gates Center).

Nims urgent public appeal is "Adopt an Actor! Keep Our Streets Safe!" Tax-deductible donations to Marin Summer Theater will play a huge role in the continued success of Marin's premier nonprofit student summer theater company, Nims said.

"We have an incredibly talented pool of applicants, but ... we have more requests for scholarships than we have money to give," he said.

Nims, a Novato resident who runs an information technology consulting firm, went from being an active parent volunteer with San Marin High productions to co-creating MST with Emily Gates and a handful of other volunteers. His goal is to give students who have serious interest in theater arts the chance do top-notch shows, work with professionals and continue their growth regardless of financial resources. Musicians and techs participate for free, and the $350 tuition from on-stage performers covers about a third of MST costs. 

"MST tuition for a three-show season is less than half of what most programs charge for a single show," Nims said. "For some even our modest tuition is a deal-breaker."

The majority of our company members work during the day to make money for college or take summer school classes. 

To make a donation, click here or send a check made out to Marin Summer Theater to 55 Miwok Drive, Novato CA 94947.