If you know our programs like Summer Stock Austin and Texas Arts Project, you may not know they are now under one umbrella. We established a new Texas nonprofit 501©3 called Impact Arts. Help us build a stronger foundation to support the young artists of Central Texas.

OUR MISSION:

Our Mission is to transform our community through accessible arts education and outstanding artistic experiences.

Impact Arts cultivates the next generation of artists and creators. Fostering empathy, creativity, and critical thinking, our theatre and film programs propel young artists to the next level in their careers. Uniquely empowering area youth by producing professional quality productions, we aim to be a leader in inclusive educational programs that use the arts to unite people and create a lasting impact.

WE DO THIS BY...

REMOVING BARRIERS TO ACCESS
TRAINING YOUNG ARTISTS AND TECHNICIANS
INSPIRING DIVERSE AUDIENCES
PROVIDING EARLY PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
EMPOWERING UNDER-HEARD VOICES
PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF THEATRE AND ENTERTAINMENT

IMPACT STORY:

Jordan Williams, who played Usnavi in the 2022 SSA production of "In the Heights," faced a difficult time during the pandemic. He left the state to live with family and had lost his passion for his craft, feeling discouraged about finding a career in the arts.

That's where Impact Arts stepped in. This non-profit organization, which Jordan was a part of as a Heller Awards lead performer nominee, TAP Camp student, Summer Stock participant, and College Audition Program member, believed in him and his talent. They found him an agent and helped him secure a job in an upcoming film, reigniting his passion and giving him the confidence to pursue his dreams once again.

Twenty years ago, when our programs first launched, we could only dream of the impact they would have. They began as part of larger nonprofit organizations, which eventually they outgrew. The pandemic taught us that the programs were stronger when united under one umbrella, and so Impact Arts was born.

Rebuilding these programs in a new way was no easy feat, but we persevered and are proud of where we are today. Stories like Jordan's are a testament to the power and importance of our work. They give us the strength and inspiration to pursue our future goals of stability and expansion.

Jordan is just one of the many thousands of students whose lives have been forever changed through our programs. And there are millions more students out there who still need our support.

We are driven by the hope that we can make a difference in their lives too. We ask you to join us in supporting the next generation of artists and creators with a donation today.

KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

SUMMER STOCK AUSTIN

Summer Stock Austin (SSA) is a program for high school and college students, offering hands-on education, training, performance, and mentorship opportunities—at no cost to participants. Combining a professional level summer stock-style program with intensive skills-based education, it is the only program of its kind in the country.

In a crowded field full of pay-to-play programs, SSA levels the playing field for participation with a tuition-free experience for a diverse group of high school students who demonstrate excellence in performance and dedication to their craft. College students also participate in the program, either as mentors or apprentices, and receive stipends based on experience and leadership potential. The program’s designers and directors are professional artists, paid for their work. All ages work together to produce multiple professional-level musicals and an original movie musical in a fast-paced, highly collaborative learning environment.

Students learn how to produce and market shows for paying audiences, mastering time management, marketing, fundraising, administrative skills, professionalism, efficiency, adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership—in a supportive environment that celebrates the individual and values inclusion and belonging. SSA provides a stepping-stone to help both high school and college students succeed in their educations and their careers, in theatre or any other demanding field. It encourages them to become mentors themselves and to advocate for the arts in their current and future communities.

MUSICAL THEATRE IN-A-BOX

A unique digital curriculum combining 8 weeks of standards-based, interactive video lessons with exciting content inspired by the award-winning film, Scout.

We strive to make theatre and media arts opportunities available to underserved and underrepresented communities by removing many financial barriers that exist in our current educational system. “Musical Theater In-A-Box” addresses the lack of access to quality, multi-disciplinary arts learning experiences in 3rd-12th grade classrooms. Based on comments from arts leaders and administrators, we have concluded that students are missing the full range of artistic experiences in their curriculum.

Our learning series uniquely solves these challenges by incorporating multiple art forms in an easily scalable and distributable format. It is adaptable and segmented so educators can utilize it in a flexible manner that suits their teaching structure, ensuring that TEKS standards are taught in schools. With award-winning creators, certified educators, and Broadway stars, we ensure that the training and production are of the highest quality.

TEXAS ARTS PROJECT

Texas Arts Project is a two week summer intensive designed to develop student’s skills and confidence in vocal performance, dance, acting, auditioning, film and more through hands-on training by professional artists.

This program meets students wherever they are in their artistic and personal journey and gives them space to be exactly who they are in connection to other students who share their artistic passion. With a common pursuit to push past personal limitations, build a community of acceptance and encouragement, and strive to produce quality artistic work, the program culminates with a sense of personal and group success, impacting students for a lifetime.

Since 2003, this program has been a safe haven to thousands of students ages 9-18. To some degree, attending Texas Arts Project has helped students to decide to wake up every day and choose to live with a pursuit of excellence, comfortable in their own skin. All middle and high school students struggle to fit into an established group or niche or clique. Texas Arts Project has historically been a place where the only requirement is that you have a passion for the arts and a desire to learn and grow. It has provided a place where students can truly be exactly who they are without judgement, a place where they are embraced by their peers and their instructors.

Texas Arts Project is a place where students can go on an artistic and personal journey and become more confident, self-assured young people who can make decisions based on a personal sense of values and expectations. This is a place where young artists learn who they are and what kind of people they want to become, shaping their future with empathy, courage, tenacity, and passion towards their careers, families, friends, and colleagues.

Impact Arts Inc

Accessible Arts Education and Outstanding Artistic Experiences

Mission

Our Team

Peyton Calhoon

Donelvan Thigpen

Ginger Morris

Ellena Martinez

Mikayla Stasny

Nicole Nichols

Coy Branscum

Abby Holtfort