Riverland’s theatre and music departments are teaming up to raise money for scholarships. At 2 p.m on Aug. 21 they will be presenting “BWAY 2K,” a concert performed by Riverland alumni and other friends of the departments. This concert will feature songs from contemporary hit Broadway shows such as “Hamilton,” “Jersey Boys,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Avenue Q,” “Spring Awakening,” “Once,” Green Day’s “American Idiot,” “Sister Act,” “Waitress,” “The Addams Family,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” and more. A reception will be held following the concert at Dusty’s Bar and Lounge in downtown Austin.

Riverland Theatre faculty member Lindsey Duoos Williams and Riverland Music faculty member Scott Blankenbaker are directing the concert. Performers include: Carrie Braaten, Jen Bute, Lia Culbert, John Deyo, Morgan Dickman, Jake Gustine, Alice Holst, Jannel Howard, Katie Hunerdosse, Tyler Irvin, Melissa Johnson, Robert Johnson, Kaye Perry, Dori Schou, Mandie Siems, Tyler Slack, Kurt Steinke, Anna Sturtz, Joshua Whalen, Jessica Williams, Vic Wylde and James Zschunke.

“I’m very excited to be presenting an entire concert of contemporary Broadway music,” said Lindsey Duoos Williams in a press release. “Many of these songs come from shows that aren’t feasible for us to do as a regular part of our season, due to rights availability or content. This concert will allow us to perform some of that fantastic music that we couldn’t otherwise do.”

Williams pointed out that although some of the shows that are featured in BWAY 2K contain mature content, all of the material performed at the concert will be family-friendly.

“Each school year, Riverland theatre and music give away several thousand dollars in scholarships to students through our Riverland Community College Foundation,” said Williams. “We see first-hand the positive impact that those scholarships can have on our students’ lives. The majority of the funding for those scholarships comes from events like these, so the more money we can raise on Aug. 21, the more money we are able to give students for the 2016-2017 school year.”

Following the concert at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, a reception will be held at Dusty’s Bar and Lounge at 422 N. Main Street in downtown Austin. There will be free food provided and a cash bar. All tips will be donated to the Theatre & Music scholarship funds. The reception is open to all ages.

Tickets to the BWAY 2K concert are $20 general admission, or $10 for students. Tickets to both the concert and the reception are $40. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the show, or online at www.riverland.edu/tickets. All funds raised through ticket sales go directly to the Riverland Foundation Theatre & Music scholarship funds.
“BWAY 2K” is sponsored by First Farmers & Merchants Bank and Dusty’s Bar and Lounge.