Each performance at Theatre Arlington begins long before the curtain rises. From the sets and lighting to the costumes worn by each actor, every detail plays a significant role in bringing a story to life.
In 2025, Theatre Arlington received a $15,000 grant from NTCF’s Arts and Culture Fund to aid in the theatre’s operational support. Funding helped Theatre Arlington address one of its most significant production expenses, including costumes for eight mainstage productions, and the hiring of a full-time costume designer for the 2025 season.
“As a costumer, I absolutely believe costumes are an integral part of any show,” said Hope Cox, Staff Costume Designer for Theatre Arlington. “The grant we received from North Texas Community Foundation made a huge impact on our ability to create high-quality costumes for our 2025 season. Receiving generous funding allowed designers like me the freedom to make real art to wow an audience and add to the story being told on stage.”
The grant also supported Theatre Arlington’s ACTUPS arts education outreach program, which served 2,042 at-risk fourth- and fifth-grade students in 12 Title I schools, providing costume support as well as scripts and royalties for educational programming. In total, this investment supported 15,271 individuals, reflecting the power of charitable giving to increase access to the arts.
“This is the first time the theater has ever had its entire costuming budget funded before,” said Cathy O’Neal, Theatre Arlington grant administrator. “Needless to say, it made a huge impact on our production budget for the 2025 season. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting Theatre Arlington and the arts.”