Sara Lu Snyder School Performance Series

On January 5, 2021, our community lost a titan in the field of performing arts presentation. Sara Lu Snyder served as chairman and executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Art Council through two decades. Her most lasting legacy was the formation of a system for local school children to enjoy personal interaction with world-class artists through in-school performances, master classes, workshops and lectures. 

Established in 1978, under Mrs. Snyder’s guidance, this program has served thousands of local school children by reaching students in both school systems.  All students, grades K-12, attend at least one professional theatre, music or dance production appropriate to their grade level during each school year. Home school and alternative school students are also provided access. Outreach continues through workshops, clinics and master classes that are conducted by artists who are in the community as part of the Performing Arts Series.

When Mrs. Snyder began the program, it was designed to allow children to experience the joy of live performance to instill an appreciation of the arts at an early age.

Over the last 4 decades, programming evolved to incorporate other learning pathways, not just for basics within the Virginia Standards of Learning, but tougher topics such as suicide, bullying, teen pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, and child abuse that could be addressed in a non-threatening ‘teachable’ opportunity. Since live performance can be a catalyst for discussion, follow-up with school guidance departments and local community service agencies is coordinated in advance and has become an important component of those particular events.

Won't you consider making a contribution to assist in continuing this legacy so professional actors, musicians, dancers, magicians, acrobats, etc. will visit our schools, performing for every child in the greater Alleghany Highlands?