Stages for Students

Honouring the Memory of Marcia Whelan

In memory of Marcia Whelan, the founding volunteer of Harbourfront Theatre, we are excited to announce the establishment of Stages for Students. This is a fund to honour Marcia’s lasting legacy in the arts and education by providing local schoolchildren with opportunities to experience live theatre and to engage in their own amateur productions at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside.

Bringing the World to the Front Row

There is a moment right before the house lights go down when the energy in our theatre shifts. When that room is filled with youth—many of whom have never seen a live performance before—the excitement is electric.

The Stages for Students Fund captures that exact magic. Established to honour the legacy of Marcia Whelan—a beloved educator and a cornerstone of our volunteer family—this fund ensures that the next generation of Islanders grows up with a deep, lifelong connection to the arts.

What the Fund Accomplishes

We remove the barriers standing between youth and the stage in two distinct ways:

Facilitating Attendance:

The fund provides free tickets for local schoolchildren and homeschool groups to attend our theatre performances. By removing financial barriers, we encourage a love for the arts among the youth in our community.

Supporting Amateur Productions:

The fund also enables local schools and home education groups to step out of the gymnasium or living room and stage their own productions at Harbourfront Theatre. This initiative offers students hands-on experience in the performing arts, fostering creativity and collaboration.

How You Can Help

Stronger communities start with shared investment. Help us turn Harbourfront Theatre into the most vital bridge between youth and the arts across PEI. We invite businesses and neighbors to partner with us through two distinct pathways:

Path 1: Charitable Donations (Direct Support)

If your priority is a direct philanthropic gift, you can choose to make a standard donation to the fund. Because Harbourfront Theatre is a registered non-profit charity organization, 100% of your donation is fully tax-deductible and you will receive an official tax receipt. Every dollar goes directly toward ticket costs and subsidizing theatre rentals for student-led productions.

Path 2: Corporate Sponsorship (Visibility & Impact)

Position your company as a community leader. Sponsoring Stages for Students pairs your brand with corporate social responsibility that has immediate, tangible community outcomes. Your business gains high visibility across our website, social media channels (10,000+ followers), and directly from the stage during events.

Join Us as a Partner

Whether you want to see your logo shining in our lobby or want to quietly fund a classroom or homeschool group’s first trip to the theatre, we would love to welcome you as a partner. Let’s make sure Island kids always have a place in the front row.