The fundraiser “Lights Up! 2011″ raised over $13,000 for the Department of Theatre on Aug. 27 at the Williams Performing Arts Center, said Adam Hester, chair of the Department of Theatre.

“‘Lights Up! 2011’ was an enormous success,” Hester said.

ACU Theatre alumni presented the fundraiser, which featured a play as well as the opportunity to attend a post-show cast party and have backstage access.

This year the fundraiser centered around the recent performance of Noises off!, a farce by Michael Frayn. The farce, which played Aug. 25 – Sept. 3, featured Adam and Donna Hester, Lindsey Rogers (’03), Jeremy Varner (’10) and costumes by Sandy Freeman.  The performance was directed by Gary Varner.

In addition to viewing Noises Off!, fundraiser attendees who gave certain sizes of donations had exclusive access to the backstage and an invitation to the post-show party.  Other prizes included a student-led tour of the Williams Performing Arts Center, a VIP tour of the campus, red carpet treatment and party souvenirs, names listed in the playbill, shout outs and more.

Event co-chairs were Tim Covington and Lisa Lawrence Holland in conjunction with the ACU Alumni Office. Hester said the fundraiser’s planners did a fantastic job.

“Co-chairs Lisa Lawrence Holland and Tim Covington along with Amy Burns McCall worked tirelessly to create an amazing and beautiful evening,” Hester said.

In a message posted to the online website for “Lights Up!” Covington and Holland said, “The arts community is a tough one. It is full of dichotomy, diversity and darkness. It is also ripe with potential for the culture changing, transforming presence of Jesus.”

Hester said it was the presence of old friends that made the event memorable for him.

“It was a joyous reunion of many ACU Theatre alums I haven’t seen in years,” Hester said. “I’m looking forward to ‘Lights Up! 2012!'”