Dear Friends, Students, Parents, and Patrons,
We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded in Allen, and our hearts go out to all those affected. The impact on numerous lives is truly heart-breaking, and we understand the immense damage, pain, and fear that such an attack inflicts on the entire community.
The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. We know that providing a “safe space” is essential and recognize that all other benefits of our programs become insignificant if we don’t fulfill this fundamental need.
We will continue our commitment to continually enhancing and improving our security measures. Several months ago, the NTPA Governing Board of Directors adopted a management recommendation to invest in comprehensive camera security systems for each of our facilities, and the design and installation work for these systems is currently underway. Following a successful pilot program at our Fairview theatre, we will be implementing a “Safety Monitor” program across all our locations. Our facilities now have locked doors during rehearsals, admitting only authorized individuals, and other protocols are being examined and modified for improved security.
Thanks to the generosity of a donor, we will be installing automated locking systems at our Plano facility. We are also in the process of enhancing safety training for our personnel, and we plan to extend the use of a text-alert messaging service, currently employed in our Academy, to the rest of our operations.
We ask for your assistance in the most basic security measure, which is to remain vigilant and help us ensure that only authorized individuals are present in our spaces. A few years ago, we introduced photo ID badges for all volunteers and authorized personnel. If you find yourself in our facility during a rehearsal, class, camp, or in a non-public area during performances, we ask that you wear your ID badge at all times and remain observant to ensure that others are doing the same. If another parent asks you to not enter a rehearsal room, dressing room, or backstage area, please cooperate and thank them for helping to keep our youth safe.
We hope we can count on your support in this most critical effort. If you believe there are unauthorized individuals present in our spaces, please promptly notify a staff member. If you have any specific concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at BeSafe@NTPA.org.
By working together, we can continue to provide a secure environment that prioritizes the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our youth. It is only through our collective efforts that we can ensure their safety while nurturing values such as Teamwork, Leadership, Responsibility, Respect, Self-Confidence, Integrity, Discipline, Gratitude, Positive Attitude, and, above all, Love for One Another.
Our objective is to leverage the power of literature, music, dance, and drama to introduce young people to life’s lessons and experiences within the safety of our walls, preparing them for the realities of the outside world. With your support, we can make this aspiration a reality.
Thank you for your continued trust and dedication to our mission.
– North Texas Performing Arts Management, Board of Directors and Staff