New stage lighting has been installed and soon, the Oxford Wildcat Professional Theatre Company will be utilizing new wireless microphones and a sound mixer thanks to a first quarter grant award in January 2025.
Patrons of the Oxford Wildcat Professional Theatre Company are seeing youth performers in a new light—literally. That’s because the nonprofit recently received a Four County Community Foundation grant for equipment to enhance their performances.
In January, grant reviewers awarded more than $3,500 to the theatre company (OWPTC) to purchase wireless microphones, a sound mixer and new stage lighting. The grant represents one of the first awards made by the foundation’s Oxford Community Fund.
Adam Silorey, OWPTC’s founder and producing artistic director, said that the new equipment will do much more than just amp up the production quality of their shows.
“Thanks to the Four County Community Foundation, we’re now able to enhance the self-esteem of our actors by providing them with the best tools to elevate their performance. The new lighting and sound equipment helps us deliver a production experience that is truly impactful,” Adam said.
The theatre company’s new microphones and sound board are on their way and will be ready for use in their upcoming production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in April at Oxford Middle School.
In addition to the Oxford Community Fund, Four County Community Foundation is home to nine additional community funds. Each was created to provide a permanent revenue source for projects as determined by each community and can be utilized for a wide range of programs including summer concerts, park improvements, libraries and schools, local police and fire department, community holiday events and emergency needs.
OWPTC was among groups from Lapeer, St. Clair, Oakland and Macomb counties to receive 2025 first quarter grant awards totaling more than $56,000. Other recipients were the Armada Police Athletic League who received $5,000 in funding to support their PAL summer camp; First Congregational United Church of Christ in Imlay City who will benefit from a $4,000 grant for their food pantry and Dryden Elementary School who will use $4,900 in grant funds for their 4th Annual Science Day in April 2025.
First quarter grants were also given to applicants who serve residents within the foundation’s service area. Awardees in this category include the Advancing Macomb Foundation, Inc., who received $25,000 for their Nonprofit Accelerator, a program that creates educational opportunities for local nonprofits around best practices in nonprofit management, operations and governance. Similarly, the American Diabetes Association’s Camp Midicha, located in Genesee County, received $5,000 to empower and educate children and teens with diabetes.
April 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. is the next deadline for grant applications. To learn more about the granting process or to start a grant application, visit https://www.4ccf.org/grantees/.
Four County Community Foundation is committed to serving the current and emerging needs of our local community. The foundation serves portions of Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. To learn more about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org or call (810) 798-0909.