Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Bright Lights Theatre
Legal Name (if Different): N/A
Also Known As: N/A
Mailing Address: 9940 Acklin Drive
City: Dallas
State: Texas
Postal Code: 75243
Main Phone: 318-584-1313
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://www.brightlightstheatre.org/
Employer ID Number: 83-4295733
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 2/23/2025
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Winter 2025-2026 Production
Project Description:

Bright Lights Theatre (BLT) exists to train the next generation as masterful storytellers who share the light of Christ. Through productions, workshops, and summer camps, BLT educates students in all aspects of theatre while fostering spiritual growth, teamwork, and resilience.

The Winter 2025-2026 production will provide students with a theatre experience, from auditions in October 2025 to a full-scale performance in March 2026. Students will engage in a rigorous artistic process, including auditions, rehearsals, and performances, developing essential skills in acting, stage management, and technical theatre. By immersing students in high-quality storytelling, this project enhances their confidence, creativity, and communication abilities.
Accessibility remains a key pillar of BLT’s mission. Less than 20% of children from below-poverty-level households participate in extracurricular arts programs—half the rate of their more affluent peers—limiting their access to the benefits of theatre education. To bridge this gap, BLT offers scholarships and financial assistance, ensuring all students can participate regardless of socioeconomic status.
Beyond artistic development, theatre serves as a powerful tool for emotional expression, providing a critical outlet amid the ongoing youth mental health crisis. More than 42% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and theatre offers a safe space to build confidence, discipline, and resilience.
By combining artistic excellence with faith-based mentorship, this winter production will equip students with valuable life skills, foster a supportive community, and inspire audiences through compelling storytelling that reflects truth and light.

Total Project Budget: 19,200

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Bright Lights Theatre is committed to making high-quality arts education accessible to all children, regardless of financial circumstances. To ensure that program fees remain affordable—particularly for low-income families who might otherwise be unable to participate in extracurricular arts programs—the organization strategically relies on a diverse range of funding sources. While program revenue serves as the primary source of income, it does not fully cover operating expenses, making additional funding essential to sustaining the theatre’s mission. Support from foundations plays a critical role in bridging this financial gap, helping to offset costs and ensure that tuition remains within reach for families of all backgrounds. Individual donations and contributions from North Texas Giving Day provide further assistance, allowing Bright Lights Theatre to expand access to its programs. Corporate sponsorships also contribute to overall sustainability, while revenue generated from the BLT Store—though modest—adds another layer of financial support. This diversified funding approach strengthens the organization’s long-term financial stability, reducing reliance on any single revenue stream and enabling Bright Lights Theatre to continue offering scholarships and maintaining the high quality of its programming. Production Funding (potential): Meadows Foundation, $29,050; Rea Charitable Trust, $20,000; Alice E and Joseph C Blewett, $5,000 General Operating Support (potential): Pangburn Foundation, $15,000; Martha Sue Parr Trust, $15,000; Katherine C. Carmody Charitable Trust, $10,000; Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation, $5,000; Markham Family Foundation, $10,000; Enrico Foundation, $5,000; Stephen Seay Foundation, $5,000; Baxley Foundation, $2,500; March Family Foundation, $2,500

Project Duration: October 2025-March 2026
Geographical Area Served: Dallas, Texas and surrounding areas, including Richardson, Garland, Farmers Branch, and Irving.
Age Group To Be Served: 10-18 year old students, including those from low-income and historically underserved communities.

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Lauren
Contact Last Name: Hensarling
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 318-584-1313
Contact Email: brightlightstheatretx@gmail.com