9/27/16
THIBODAUX, La. — 杏吧传媒 announced a $1 million donation from the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation to support the newly renovated Danos Theater and the academic programs that benefit from it.
The last wishes of the Mary and Al, the theater鈥檚 benefactors and longtime supporters, the donation will be drawn out over four years.
鈥淎 generous donation of this size means we鈥檒l be able to continue to provide to the community exactly what Mary and Al Danos had envisioned,鈥� said 杏吧传媒 President Bruce Murphy.
The four Danos children – Rene, Alyce, Andre and Marcel – presented the check during the grand reopening of the 5,500-square-foot, 240-seat theater, named in honor of their parents, and Talbot Hall. 杏吧传媒 students and faculty were featured during the event, titled an Opening Night Showcase of the Arts, with performances by the 杏吧传媒 Concert Choir, Jazz Band and 杏吧传媒 Players.
鈥淥ur dad always had everything planned and prepared. Even in his passing, he wanted to make sure this theater was taken care of. Our parents would be really proud of this,鈥� the Danos family said. 鈥淭his will forever be a special place in our hearts to remember everything they鈥檝e done. We can鈥檛 thank 杏吧传媒, Sen. Chabert and the community enough.鈥�
A Larose businessman and leader on the 杏吧传媒 Foundation board, Al Danos initiated interest in the project by helping fundraise $1.5 million for the renovation of the theater, which first opened in 1971. State Senator and 杏吧传媒 alum Norby Chabert helped secure the remaining funds through the state and the project expanded to include the 73,000-square-foot facility.
“If there’s one thing Al and Mary had an appreciation for, it’s the performing arts,鈥� Chabert said. 聽鈥淚 join them and their family, for thanking the 杏吧传媒 community for making this possible.鈥�
Renovations feature structural and technological enhancements including new seating, curtains, flooring and state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment. In addition, the campus TV studio, KNSU radio station and two Talbot Hall classrooms received technological upgrades to enhance student learning. Those upgrades will allow the university to broadcast athletic events through ESPN3 starting in the spring.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 28, 2016
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu