Mayor Keffer’s Upper Darby Summer Stage Scholarship Program Sees Great Results in First Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 22, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Keffer’s Upper Darby Summer Stage Scholarship Program Sees Great Results in First Season

UPPER DARBY, PA:  Earlier this year, in fulfillment of her commitment to an equitable, sustainable, and financially secure Upper Darby Summer Stage Program - which serves and promotes the talent of our local kids - Mayor Keffer announced that the township was offering free registration to Upper Darby kids for Upper Darby Summer Stage programs. Specifically, any Township resident between the ages of 10 and 18 could attend completely free of charge, with no income or academic requirements. 

“We wanted any Upper Darby kid with a desire to participate to be able to take advantage of this nationally-recognized, local  program without having to worry about the cost,” Mayor Keffer said. “It was an amazing success. We were able to send so many Upper Darby kids for free and see all their great performances throughout the summer. Our community is full of so many talented performers and backstage crews helping to revitalize our township through their work.”

The 47th season of Upper Darby Summer Stage offered full-day summer programs that included 6 Performing StArts Programs, 6 Children's Theatre Shows, and a Technical Theatre program. Upper Darby Summer Stage has played a crucial role in uplifting the arts for students in and around the area for decades. With the support of the Mayor and the Township, Upper Darby Summer Stage found a new home with the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation (UDAEF) this year.  

“This year, more Upper Darby kids than ever got the chance to shine on stage and behind the scenes,” said Deputy CAO Alison Dobbins, also a representative on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “The casts and crews of these programs were more diverse than ever. The Mayor’s initiative to cover costs for Upper Darby children has really made a difference in accessibility to the programs.” 

Mayor Keffer congratulates UDAEF and their new Artistic Director, Chris Luner, on a magical season! “Keeping this treasure here in Upper Darby - and ensuring it is widely available to all residents - is my priority,” Mayor Keffer said.

This sentiment was shared by the many families who were able to participate in the programs this year along with the Township’s partners at UDAEF.

“Summer Stage is a great program and has been a magical experience for my son,” said Cintia Isles, a proud Upper Darby Summer Stage parent whose son was a part of Rising Stars. “The Upper Darby Township’s grant made it possible for students from all over the township to participate in this special program. Hopefully the grant continues so that Summer Stage can continue to grow and reflect the beautiful diversity of Upper Darby.”

“I want to thank Mayor Keffer for her steadfast support of the program this summer,” said Terry Tracy, president of the Board, on behalf of the UDAEF. “The decision to restructure the program’s governance, management, and economics was certainly a calculated risk, but Mayor Keffer’s personal investment helped to make this summer one that should make every resident of Upper Darby proud. And while the program’s unparalleled production value may be the most obvious example of success, our joint efforts to provide expanded, equitable access to arts education to all Upper Darby kids will pay tremendous dividends in our community long after they take their final bow.”

“Part of our goals since the beginning has been to reinvest in this community,” Mayor Keffer said. “Upper Darby Summer Stage is a great example of reinvesting in our young residents by giving them the tools they need to not only grow as students, but succeed as well, and the arts plays such an important role in that. The success of this program - being able to see our community come together and create fantastic works of art - is a great reminder of how our township, ‘The World In One Place,’ is home to so many wonderful, talented people.” 

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