FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Presents “Once Upon a Mattress”

Hagerstown, MD (February 19, 2025) – Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) proudly announces
tickets are now on sale for their annual all-school musical production, Once Upon a Mattress.
Performances will take place at The Maryland Theatre on April 5th and 12th at 7:30 p.m., and April
6th and 13th at 2:30 p.m.

This regally hilarious adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea promises to
entertain audiences of all ages. Adults will delight in the classic slapstick comedy, while
children will be captivated by the whimsical characters, elaborate fairytale costumes, and stunning
set design handcrafted by the BISFA theater department.

Once Upon a Mattress premiered off-Broadway in 1959, launching the career of Carol Burnett.
Following in Burnett’s shoes as the unlikely future princess will be Fae Ward. Ward most recently
graced The Maryland Theatre’s stage as Pugsley Addams in last year’s The Addams Family Musical. Her
counterpart, Prince Dauntless, will be played by Nathan Lushbaugh, who audiences will remember as
the title character in 2023’s The SpongeBob Musical and as the uptight future father-in-law to
Wednesday Addams, Mal Beineke, in The Addams Family Musical.

This year’s production marks BISFA’s 14th all-school musical since the school opened in 2009,
following previous successes like The Wizard of Oz, Shrek, The Little Mermaid, and last year’s The
Addams Family Musical. This production coincides with a recent Broadway revival starring Sutton
Foster, Michael Urie, and Ana Gasteyer. A cast recording of the revival is scheduled for release on
March 28, 2025, just one week before BISFA’s opening night.

Tickets for Once Upon a Mattress range from $10 to $30 and can be purchased online at
https://www.mdtheatre.org/once-upon-a-mattress or by calling 301-790-2000.

About Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is a Five-Star, public high school in Hagerstown, Maryland,
providing 350 students with a rigorous, comprehensive, college preparatory curriculum rooted in
intense, pre-professional training in the arts. The school produces approximately 50 recitals and
performances each year, spanning vocal, instrumental, creative writing, photography, visual arts,
computer game design, and dance. The annual musical is a highly anticipated event, open to
auditions from the entire student body.
Contact:
Rob Hovermale, Principal Hoverrob@wcps.k12.md.us 301-766-8845
Ally Sirbaugh, BISFA Foundation Executive Director allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org
240-347-4934

Engage with your community in supporting the arts while enhancing your company’s visibility. Over 12,000 All-School Musical program books are printed and distributed, and more than 6,000 tickets are sold for the sixty-plus BISFA student performances held throughout the year.

Benefits of participation include: Acknowledgment as a BISFA supporter, Valuable exposure through BISFA promotional materials, the foundation’s website, and at BISFA events, and the rewarding feeling of contributing to the arts and playing a part in educating future artists.

All sponsorships have a direct effect on students across EVERY Artistic Discipline at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts! The Sponsorship Program provides essential funding for both students and departmental grants. These funds support field trips, equipment, clothing, and supplies necessary for students to successfully complete their projects, participate in master classes with guest artists in residence, and much more!

Business sponsors have the flexibility to create their own giving opportunity by chosing what sponsorship package or by specifying a dollar amount that aligns with their budget. Payment plans are also available.

We still have a few sponsorship spaces available. For additional information or to support the arts visit: https://barbaraingramfoundation.org/supporting-the-arts…/ or call the office at 240-347-4934.

Thank you to our current Supporting the Arts Business Sponsors. We appreciate your continued support! Stay tuned to learn a little more about these businesses over the next few weeks!

Additional information can be found at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Website:

Join your community in Supporting the Arts while gaining valuable exposure for your company. More than 12,000 All-School Musical program books are printed and distributed and over 6,000 tickets are sold for the more than sixty BISFA student performances throughout the year.

Added benefits include:

• Recognition as a BISFA supporter;
• Valuable exposure through BISFA promotional materials, the foundation website, and at BISFA events; and
• Knowledge that you are Supporting the Arts and making a difference in educating the next generation of artists.

The BISFA Foundation offers a number of Supporting the Arts packages:

Click on the brochure pages below for additonal information.  Secure your sponsorship spot by November 15, 2024 and receive a Holiday Lamp Post sponsorship for FREE!

2024 BISFA Foundation Lamp Post Campaign

Join the BISFA Foundation and Downtown Hagerstown in spreading holiday cheer by sponsoring a lamp post in our festive downtown area! Your sponsorship includes an 18″ x 18″ sign at the top of each decorated lamp post, personalized with your name, company logo, and a holiday greeting of your choice.

With 150 numbered lamp posts available, you can select a specific location by indicating the number found in yellow on the lamp post base, or allow us to assign one for you once your sponsorship form is received.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this festive community event—submit your form by the deadline, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, and help make our city sparkle this holiday season!

ALL NEW DESIGN FOR THIS YEAR!!!!

Please complete the form below if you would like to sponsor a lamp post to decorate downtown Hagerstown and support the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts!

Check payments can be made to the BISFA Foundatin and can be mailed into the offfice at:

BISFA Foundation
38 South Potomac Street, Suite 305
Hagerstown, MD  21740

Credit card payments can be made through our online payment portal by using this link:

Online Payment Form

The Barbara Ingram Foundation is offering a unique opportunity to make a mark on downtown Hagerstown. Join our 2024-2025 Buy a Brick Campaign and, for a $250 donation, we will engrave a brick to be placed on the sidewalk in front of Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and Vincent Rauth Groh Academic Center!  To kick off this year’s campaign we are offering a special 25% discount to the “Class of 2025”.  Bricks for this special offer will be $187.50!!!  Discount Deadline is November 25, 2024.  Payment plans are available, please contact the office for information.

Each 4” x 8” brick will include up to three (3) lines of engraving, with up to 17 characters per line. Character count includes numbers, letters, and spaces. Bricks may only be inscribed with names, dates and titles or “in memory of” or “in honor of.”

The perfect gift in honor, memory, or recognition of:

• BISFA alum or current student (Class of ####)
• Current or former staff member
• Anyone who appreciates the arts and arts education

For additional information or to secure your senior discount please email Rachelt@barbaraingramfoundation.org, or call the office at 240-347-4934.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ally Sirbaugh
Executive Director
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation
240-347-4934
allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation Announces New Board Members

HAGERSTOWN, Maryland, July 12, 2024—Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) Foundation announces five new board members for the 2024-25 fiscal year. They include Katie Anderson, Kelly Batey, Pam Francis, Geraldine Otremba and Clifford Springer.

Katie Anderson is the owner of Sprout: Plants & Things, a specialty houseplant and gift boutique located in Williamsport, Maryland. Prior to opening her business, Katie taught in Washington County Public Schools for 17.5 years, most recently, as the lead creative writing teacher at BISFA from 2012-2022.

Kelly Batey serves as the primary private wealth manager in Sterling Financial Management’s Frederick, Maryland, office. She has been with the firm for 13 years, having previously worked for Home Federal Savings Bank in the Investment Center, where she received her securities licenses.

Pam Francis serves as the Communications & Operations Manager for RS Will Wealth Management in Frederick, Maryland. She is the theater liaison for the BISFA Parent Guild and has three children attending the school in technical theatre, photo/cinema and instrumental.

Prior to her retirement, Geraldine Otremba spent more than 40 years in philanthropy, international exchange, and the management of major cultural institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Library of Congress. She has a granddaughter who attends BISFA in the photo/cinema department.

Clifford Springer is a returning Barbara Ingram Foundation board member having served previously as a founding member when the school first opened. He is a former Montgomery County Public school teacher and administrator, principal partner of Beaver Creek Antique Market, president and CEO of Benjamin Art Gallery and currently works as a Master Trading Advisor to the film industry. His scholarly credits include Lincoln, Gods and Generals and Gettysburg.

Leaving the Barbara Ingram Foundation Board after several years of dedicated service are Cynthia Perini (past president), Lisa Shank, Lara Shepherd and Eddie Webb.

Current Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Board of Directors include Dr. Ann Laber Anders; Brittany Arizmendi; Erika Bell; Laurie Bender; Anne Bertram; Barbara Fitzsimmons; E. Kenneth Grove, Jr.; Bill Hollin; Steve Hummel; Al Martin; Denver Martin; Wanda Mounts; Steve O’Farrell; David Richardson; Dr. Teresa Roberts; Ryan Smetzer; Shelly Strong; Steve Swayne; Toby Towson and Mia-Faire Williams. The Honorary Advisory Board Members include Mary Anne Burke, Katie Groh Fitzsimmons, Dr. Ira Lourie, Cynthia Perini, Mrs. Theron Rinehart, Elizabeth Schulze and Patricia Stine. The Ex Officio Board Members are Elizabeth Alberding, Pieter Bickford, Dr. Robert Hovermale, Kristen Green and Dr. David Sovine.

“The Foundation is fortunate to have such an active, dedicated and supportive group of board members,” said Ally Sirbaugh, executive director of the Barbara Ingram Foundation. “I am excited to have Katie, Kelly, Pam, Gerry and Cliff join such an impressive group of individuals with whom they can share their enthusiasm and passion for the arts and the school as well.”

About Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation
Founded in 2008, the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) Foundation advances exceptional arts’ education by providing resources and funding that support the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts public high school in Hagerstown, Maryland. Funds are provided for programs, such as master classes, artists in residency, student field trips and state-of-the-art instructional materials and technology. To learn more or take a tour of the school, call the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation at (240) 347-4934, or visit www.barbaraingramfoundation.org.

Pictured: Katie Anderson, Kelly Batey, Pam Francis, Geraldine Otremba and Clifford Springer.