Golf Fundraiser Benefiting Georgia Ensemble Theatre Set for 5/6

Georgia Ensemble Theatre, North Fulton's resident professional theatre company, based out of the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, will hold its annual Golf Fundraiser on Monday, May 6, 2013, at the beautiful Woodmont Country Club in Canton. This event, the Mary McLain Smith Theatre Arts Golf Cup, is named in honor of the beloved woman who originally organized the event. Proceeds from the event benefit Georgia Ensemble Theatre's extensive educational and outreach programming. Chairing the Golf Cup this year is Georgia Ensemble Theatre Board Member Karen Pilcher of Bank of North Georgia. Sponsors of this event to date include Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Wild Wing Café.

The day's events will begin with registration and lunch at 11:00 am, followed by a shotgun start at 12noon. In the late afternoon and early evening, a silent auction and awards banquet will be held at the Club House. Individual registration is $175 for the day's events, including 18 holes of golf in a scramble format on the beautiful Woodmont course. Groups of players are welcome, and individual and corporate sponsorship opportunities are available at levels from $300 to $10,000.
Mary McLain Smith, for whom the Golf Cup was named, was an actress, arts advocate, volunteer and theatre administrator with the Georgia Ensemble Theatre for many years. Mary died in December of 2003, and the Golf Tournament was renamed to honor her memory. Mary was responsible for this annual event year after year because of her love and commitment to Georgia Ensemble Theatre and Conservatory. This annual event is one of many ways the Theatre continues her legacy of exemplary humanity and arts advocacy.

Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the many educational and outreach programs of the Georgia Ensemble Theatre including: the Mainstage season of productions at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center; the Theatre for Youth program introducing young people to quality professional theatre through entertaining and enlightening curriculum-based productions; the tour of the powerful Holocaust drama, And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank; a partner in education program with north metro Atlanta schools; year-round classes and workshops through our Theatre Arts Conservatory program; and community outreach programs for youth, adults and local charity groups. Georgia Ensemble Theatre was named as the 2012 "Best Suburban Drama" Theatre Company and the 2008 Readers' Choice for Best Theatre Company by Atlanta Magazine. Artistic Director Robert J. Farley received the 2011 Flourish Award from Kennesaw State University for his contribution to the arts in metro Atlanta, and was named as a Top Ten Director in Atlanta for 2008-09 by The Sunday Paper; he also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pasadena Playhouse in the summer of 2008 for his contribution to excellence in regional theatre. In 2010, Farley and Managing Director ANita Allen-Farley received an award from Roswell's Leitalift Foundation naming them Visionary Leaders of Live Theatre. In 2007, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre was named a winner of two CABY Arts Awards, one for Excellence in Arts Education and one for Organization of the Year.

To participate in the Mary McLain Smith Theatre Arts Golf Cup, call Liam Ammerman at the Theatre at 770-641-1260 x 222, or visit the website at www.get.org for detailed information about the event. You may also inquire about our programs by calling the Theatre, or visiting us online.