Sam Bass Community Theatre in Round Rock Receives $5000 Grant from Union Pacific Foundation
In 2016, the Union Pacific Foundation granted more than $1.13 million to 133 Texas nonprofits. Now Round Rock is getting its share, as the Sam Bass Community Theatre at 600 North Lee Street in downtown Round Rock, has received a grant for repair work on the historic Union Pacific station that became its home in the 1980s.
"Our home is a turn-of-the-century Union Pacific stationhouse we converted into a theater, and it has been a great place for community productions. But it's showing its age, and this will really help us to fix issues with its roof, as well as expand our backstage and technical areas," said Sam Bass Theatre Association President Brett Weaver.
Union Pacific (otherwise known as UP), presented the funds to Weaver and the Sam Bass Board of Directors today. Dan Harbeke, UP's Director of Public Affairs, noted that it was an uncommon, but not entirely unique, opportunity to grant UP funds to a theater using a former UP facility.
"Some facilities we have granted to are still near the railroad tracks—one even makes a habit of stopping its events to sing 'I've Been Working On The Railroad'" when a train goes by!" noted Harbeke.
Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw and City Manager Laurie Hadley were also in attendance. Mayor McGraw noted that UP had been a strong collaborator in the building of the new Immortal Ten bridge in mid-Round Rock, while Hadley added that Union Pacific had been a generous contributors in building Round Rock's downtown.
Weaver wrapped the event up by adding "Looks like rain! We're depositing this and getting to work!"
The Union Pacific Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Union Pacific Corporation. The Foundation has distributed funds since 1959 to qualified organizations in communities served by Union Pacific. The Foundation is funded each year from the operating profits of Union Pacific Corporation. Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. For additional information about Union Pacific, see www.up.com.
The Sam Bass Theatre Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, administers Round Rock's premier community arts venue, the award-winning Sam Bass Community Theatre. Situated on the banks of Brushy Creek in Memorial Park, the Sam Bass Community Theatre hosts a slate of shows annually as well as educational and youth programs for Williamson County's residents. SBCT's upcoming spring shows include "Flaming Idiots" (March 10-25), "Speech and Debate" (April 7-16), and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (May 12- June 03). For additional information about the Sam Bass Theatre Association, see www.sambasstheatre.org, or contact info@sambasstheatre.org