HAGERSTOWN, Maryland, July 15, 2025—Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) Foundation announces a new slate of officers for 2025-2027: Laurie Bender, president; Pam Francis, vice president; Wanda Mounts, secretary and Al Martin, treasurer. The Foundation also welcomes five new board members, including Mia Collins, Karri Dawson, Cheyenne Herson, Brian McLucas and Ruth Ridenour.

Mia Collins is a veteran style expert, wardrobe and specialty stylist in the metro Washington, D.C. area whose clients include Vanity Fair, People, Baltimore Magazine, Washington Post, Target, NFL, Nordstrom, National Wildlife Catalog and more. For the past five years, Mia has transitioned to TV and film, working on projects, such as We Own This City (HBO) and Lady in the Lake (Apple TV+).

Karri Dawson is a seasoned people manager with over 20 years of experience in the big box retail space, specializing in coaching and training to drive profitability across multi-sales channels. She has volunteered throughout the county, including organizing a WCPS athletic program, a high school booster program and St. Maria Goretti’s admission process.

Cheyenne Herson is the development coordinator at Hagerstown Community College. She is a 2017 graduate of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, where she specialized in vocal music. She earned a BA in Arts and Entertainment Industries Management, with a minor in Event Planning, from Rider University in 2021.

Brian McLucas is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in the lumber industry and currently serves as a dealer sales representative for Weyerhaeuser, managing 150 accounts in the Baltimore-DC metro area. Brian has served on the Hagerstown Colt League board for 15 years and the West End Little League board for three years.

Ruth Ridenour served as the lead theatre teacher for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts from 2009 until her retirement in 2020. She also taught at Williamsport High School for 30 years as the choral, music and drama teacher. In addition, Ruth is past president of Potomac Playmakers, having acted, directed and costumed shows for over 40 years.

Leaving the Barbara Ingram Foundation Board after several years of dedicated service are Brittany Arizmendi, Barbara Fitzsimmons, Ken Grove, Steve Hummel, Dr. Teresa Roberts and Steve Swayne.

Current Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Board of Directors include Dr. Ann Laber Anders, Katie Anderson, Kelly Batey, Erika Bell, Laurie Bender, Anne Bertram, Al Martin, Denver Martin, Wanda Mounts, Gerry Otremba, Steve O’Farrell (past president), David Richardson, Ryan Smetzer, Shelly Strong, Toby Towson and Mia-Faire Williams. The Honorary Advisory Board Members are Mary Anne Burke, Katie Groh Fitzsimmons, Dr. Ira Lourie, Cynthia Perini, Mrs. Theron Rinehart, Elizabeth Schulze, Cliff Springer and Patricia Stine. The Ex Officio Board Members are Dr. April Zentmeyer, Dr. Robert Hovermale, Kristen Green and Dr. David Sovine.

“I am so excited to welcome these new board members to the Foundation, where they can contribute their talents, dedication and passion for the arts to the students and the school,” said Ally Sirbaugh, executive director of the Barbara Ingram Foundation. “I am sad to see so many devoted board members leaving this year as I have truly appreciated their contributions during my tenure. I look forward to working with a new team of officers and continuing to grow the Foundation, school and arts community.”

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, connections 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: Officers: Laurie Bender, president; Pam Francis, vice president; Wanda Mounts, secretary and Al Martin, treasurer.

Pictured:  New Board Members: Mia Collins, Karri Dawson, Cheyenne Herson, Brian McLucas and Ruth Ridenour.

The Foundation is now seeking Summer Arts Academy Student Interns for our 2025 Summer Arts Academy program.  Applications are available online here: Student Intern Application.  Please click on link provided and download the fillable PDF document.  Completed applications are due before or on Friday, May 23, 2025.  Applications can be dropped off to the school front office, emailed to Rachelt@barbaraingramfoundation.org or mailed into the Foundation Office at:

BISFA Foundation

38 S. Potomac Street, Suite 305

Hagerstown, MD  21742

Students may volunteer for more than one academy.  SSL hours will be tracked and students are responsible for filling out the SSL tracking sheet each week.  Foundation Staff will sign forms at the end of each week.

For more information please call the Foundation Office at 240-347-4934 or email Rachelt@barbaraingramfoundation.org.

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.