State officials announce grant for Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater & Academy

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - State Senator Tom Butler (R) Madison, State Senator Sam Givhan (R) Huntsville, and Rep. Howard Sanderford (R) Huntsville, along with members of the Alabama Mountains Rivers Valleys (AMRV) Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council recently announced a $25,000 grant to Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (FPCTA). 

The AMRV RC&D grant helped launch the FPCTA Technical Theatre STE(A)M Lab. The lab will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities to master the basics of technical theatre including: color theory, sound engineering and design, lighting design, rigging, set and costume design.  

The funds were used to purchase a teacher workstation and multiple student workstations which consist of equipment such as: computer towers, monitors, microphones, tablets, sound mixers, and software. 

Sen. Butler thanked FPCTA for taking the initiative to seek funds and support, providing additional tools to help mentor younger generations that are interested in art and production. 

“I’m happy to see that these funds are going to Fantasy Playhouse,” said Butler, “They have a wonderful program and I look forward to seeing all of their continued progress and success.” 

Sen. Givhan commended the FPCTA staff for all their hard work and thanked RC&D for the funding. 

“We see that your program is continuing to grow and as more young people walk in your doors, it’s just an opportunity to teach them STEAM skills that are in high demand in North Alabama,” said Givhan, “We like working with RC&D to invest in the future and believe this will have a lasting impact.” 

Rep. Howard Sanderford said the technical theatre learning lab was impressive. 

“I want to also thank you for your presence in the area because you touch several counties with this program. There is a lot going on here and you are working in many areas to serve the community,” said Sanderford. 

FPCTA Executive Director Karen Mockensturm said she is excited to use the technical theatre learning lab and provide industry level performing arts education.

“We’ll be able to teach audio engineering, sound design, set design, color theory for costume design and many other skills with this equipment,” said Mockensturm, “I would like to thank RC&D and the Madison County legislators for all their support in helping to fund this program and other programs we’ve offered over the years.” 

FPCTA provides theatre arts access through production, education, and outreach, reaching more than 31,000 residents annually, including 21,000 children and youth. 

FPCTA enriches the lives of children and familie through theatre and arts education, encouraging students to become self-confident, academically successful, creative thinking citizens who are more likely to invest in their communities as adults. 

FPCTA’s core programs include live children’s theatre productions, classes, camps, workshops, fine arts preschool program, and education outreach through after school theatre classes and In-School Touring programs. 

The RC&D program was established by the Agriculture Act of 1962 to provide a program that empowers rural people to help themselves. RC&D areas include adjacent counties that have substantial natural resources to use for economic improvement and community betterment. 

There are eight RC&D councils throughout the state. RC&D Councils in Alabama or non-profit, tax-exempt organizations within the state that are designated 501(c)(3) entities by the Internal Revenue Service. AMRV RC&D serves Cullman, Morgan, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Dekalb, and Jackson counties. 

RC&D Councils are made up of citizens in the RC&D area who want a better life for themselves, their children, and future generations. RC&D Council representatives and alternates are volunteers who assist RC&D. 

For more information about the AMRV RC&D program, please visit: https://amrvrcd.org. 

Back Row L to R: Leah Snowman, Sen. Tom Butler, Renona Seibert, Jacina Swinehart
Front Row L to R: Dana Clark, Candice Cooper, Rep. Howard Sanderford, Karen Mockensturm, Sen. Sam Givhan, Marcus Garner, Andrea Boswell, Maegan McLaughlin