Scholarship Fund      

And      

Memorial Fund    

    In October of 2003, the Playhouse lost one of our most beloved players, Courtney
    Ballard. Courtney was in the first play ever produced at Matthews Playhouse in 1995,
    Alice in Wonderland when she was 11 years old.  She was also a member of our first
    summer intern group, our first Kitchen Kabaret, our Health Play, and  she was one of
    our first paid summer interns.  She was also a member of our first summer production
    for Theatre Matthews, South Pacific.  There has not been one production since we
    began in 1995 that Courtney was not involved in one way or another.  She has helped
    with auditions, worked in the box office, built sets, helped with costumes, props and of
    course, performing.  Summer camp wouldn’t have happened without Courtney in charge
    of Arts and Crafts.  She remained actively involved until October 15, 2003 when she
    was abruptly taken from us and sent on to a higher calling.

    Courtney and her family are a big reason we are what we are today.  Courtney loved
    everyone, and everyone loved Courtney, but mostly she loved children and special needs
    children.  She dreamed of becoming a special education teacher in Charlotte-
    Mecklenburg.   It is most fitting that a scholarship fund be named in her memory. 

    Matthews Playhouse has established a Scholarship Fund and a Memorial Fund in the
    memory of Courtney Ballard.  Funds received marked Scholarship will go towards an
    account set up to fund students who would not otherwise be able to attend classes
    offered  by Matthews Playhouse for young people of all ages.

    The memorial fund will be used to buy lobby furniture for the theatre lobby here in the
    Community Center. Included in the Lobby will be a plaque in memory of Courtney.

    If you would like to contribute to Courtney’s memory, please write your check to
    Matthews Playhouse, and note that it is for the scholarship fund or the memorial fund.