Prima Theatre’s Beloved Community Project Shines with Successful Soft Launch
Prima Theatre is excited to announce the triumphant soft launch of the Beloved Community Project (BCP)!
Since its founding in 2010 by Mitch and Diana Nugent, Prima has evolved into a vibrant, award-winning cultural force. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit community benefit organization, Prima is dedicated to invigorating lives through fresh theatrical experiences. Prima’s Beloved Community Project embodies the organization’s unwavering commitment to becoming the region’s most exciting and welcoming cultural hub, tackling essential gaps in support for BIPOC performing artists. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a beloved community, BCP aims to provide a sense of belonging and growth through vital resources like venue space, organizational infrastructure, and mentoring. BCP had its soft launch this summer thanks to the visionary support of Prima Friends, the High Foundation and the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Highlights from the Soft Launch
- The Mix: Prima was honored to host The Mix’s after-school program for their spectacular year-end performance at Prima. This program, serving students from grades 1 through 12, showcased the incredible power of the arts to shape and uplift young lives.
- Girls on the Run: During their annual summer camp, forty spirited girls under 12 immersed themselves in a creative theater workshop at the theater. Led by Prima’s talented staff, this workshop, featuring dynamic theater games and collaborative activities, enriched their camp experience and ignited their artistic passions.
- Evita Colon: Prima was thrilled to welcome Evita Colon, founder of Speak My Soul, for an unforgettable poetry and music event. Utilizing Prima’s venue, technical team, and design resources, the event offered a dazzling platform for emerging artists and local BIPOC creatives, featuring electrifying live performances and engaging community engagement.
During the soft launch, Prima held several creative and logistical discussions with various community leaders. These meetings, events, and internal debriefings have provided Prima with valuable understanding. This has highlighted areas for improving communication across cultural gaps and identified specific mentorship opportunities to support Lancaster’s local BIPOC community better.
Looking Ahead: Full Launch of BCP in Summer 2025
As Prima celebrates the success of BCP’s soft launch, the organization is laying the groundwork for an ambitious full launch scheduled for Summer 2025. Continued support and investment are crucial to realize this vision and further amplify the impact of BCP.
This next phase will elevate the program to new heights, offering more opportunities for BIPOC artists to showcase their exceptional work, engage in structured learning experiences, and connect with the community. With enhanced resources and expanded partnerships, the full launch will significantly amplify BCP’s impact, elevating voices from historically marginalized communities and further enriching Lancaster’s cultural landscape.
Summer 2025 promises transformative artistic experiences as Prima works to create a more vibrant and equitable future through the arts. Stay tuned for exciting updates. Details will be shared through Prima’s social media, emails, and website at primatheatre.org. Click here to support BCP.