Imagine Performing Arts Fund

Founded in April 2021 by Katie Lane and Samantha Christ, Imagine NEPA Performing Arts Center was born from a vision to unite our community during a time of social isolation. Our mission is to nurture the creative spirit of children and strengthen the bonds within our community through the transformative power of the performing arts. We believe that every child has a unique artistic potential waiting to be unlocked. 

In just three short years, Imagine has grown exponentially, expanding to a 6,000 square foot arts center in Dalton, PA, and serving nearly 400 unique families. What began as a program focused on elementary students has blossomed into a vibrant community hub offering preschool, teen, and adult programs. Our commitment is to provide a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for individuals of all backgrounds to explore, discover, and express themselves through dance, music, theater, and other performing arts forms.

As stewards of culture and creativity, we embrace our responsibility to nurture the next generation of artists and patrons, ensuring a legacy of artistic excellence and community engagement that will endure for generations to come. Our ongoing efforts to become a valued community employer aim to provide numerous full-time positions as we expand, further enriching our community.

ARTS EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING 

Imagine prides itself on educationally sound programming, ensuring that our students not only learn important technical and artistic elements of theater but also valuable life lessons. We strive to make the arts accessible to all, regardless of age, background, or economic circumstance through innovative programs and affordable workshops. Our goal is to harness the uplifting power of the arts for the betterment of our community.

“Our workshops are thoughtfully designed to accommodate children of diverse backgrounds and skill levels, welcoming those who may be shy or have no prior experience in the      performing arts, as well as those who are seasoned performers eager to take on new challenges and showcase their talents in the limelight.”

Katie Lane
Founder/Executive Director

Imagine joined the local Northeaster Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance (NEPTA) in early 2024, with Samantha Christ elected this year to the executive board as Vice President. Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance (NEPTA) is an organization that brings together non-profit theater companies in Northeast PA, who work together to promote local theater, provide student scholarships and host the annual NEPTA Theater Awards. NEPTA.

Our 2025 season, and first year with the organization we were honored and thrilled to receive 19 nominations and taking home five awards for our youth programs.

Proud recipients of 2025 NEPTA Awards for

Best Youth Actor: Seamus Dwyer

Best Teen Actress: Chloe Orfanella

Best Youth Production: Wonka Jr.

Best Youth Production: Seussical Jr.

Best Teen Production: Alice by Heart

YOUR IMPACT

At Imagine, we are dedicated to providing both theater productions and educational programs that ignite the imagination and enrich the lives of young people and families. It takes a minimum of $8,000-$10,000 to bring a theater production to life, but ticket sales alone only cover a portion of the cost. The rest is made possible through tuition, grants, and the generous contributions of our donors. We strive to make our ticket prices affordable for everyone, especially young people, schools, and families. Our goal is to ensure that the stories we bring to the stage are of the highest quality, because our patrons deserve nothing but the best. 

Only 40% of the costs associated with Imagine Performing Arts Center's classes and workshops are covered by tuition payments. The remaining expense is covered by contributed revenue. Imagine's community of supporters make is possible for our organization to keep the program costs lower for our students and their families. Our donors also help us to never turn students away due to financial limitations. Our Dream Maker's Scholarship Fund removes barriers and ensures access to our programming by providing need-based scholarships and other logistical support-all of which is made possible by donations.  

YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT HELPS TO ENSURE:

• Continued affordable ticket prices (and many events for families for free!)
• Provide paid work for local industry artists, designers and educators
• Affordable tuition costs for students
• Scholarship money so NO CHILD is ever left behind
• Updates to our technical systems in lights and sound
• Quality props, costumes and sets for our students and performers
• Helps offset licensing fees for our productions
• AND MORE!

THANK YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR SUPPORTING OUR MISSION AND PROGRAMMING!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: http://https://www.imaginenepa.com/