SHARON, Pa. - Some new additions to the ACTS Performing Arts Center are hoping to enhance the quality of life for people in and around the City of Sharon.

Through the help of community funding, the theatre group will now offer an enhanced production experience, that's sure to put Sharon on the performing arts map.

For 15 years, the ACTS Performing Arts Center has produced dozens of shows we all know and love. From hosting local high school productions,  to welcoming out-of-town performers a brand new LED display wall is taking the arts to new heights.

"It's going to help us with backdrops instead of needing to have several different painted sets," explained Michael Allenbaugh, Performer with ACTS Performing Arts Center "We can have each one ready to go programmed and just put them in one after the other when it's needed. Not only that, it will allow them to be animated as well. We can have a moving backdrop and do some unique stuff with it."

"The screen will allow us to use digital images instead of creating a set made of wood and cardboard," said Susan Piccirilli, Co-Founder & Vice President of ACTS Performing Arts Center. "And we're going to be able to show and change images much more quickly. Outside touring groups will be able to project images, similar to a concert at an arena."

It truly took a village to fund the cutting-edge technology. The Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio and the Mercer County Visitors Bureau footing the $45,000 bill.

"We think that the arts are important," explained Peggy Mazyck, President & CEO of Visit Mercer County. "With this new digital wall, they're looking into bringing in national and local traveling groups and being able to construct a set quickly."

ACTS Performing Arts Center is utilizing funds from the Tourism Attraction Development Grant, money provided to groups that can expand tourism assets in the area.

"It's a matching program," Mazyck explained. "You'd have to come up with a match of $20k and we would give you $20k and they were successful. A committee reviewed and scored their application and felt it was a good program."

The goal is to not only enhance the ACTS center's productions, but potentially boost tourism and bring in well-known performances.

"Arts and culture drive community and economic development," Piccirilli added. "We're an important part of the growth of this area and we want to be that for many years to come."

"There truly is unlimited potential for this new display," Mazyck concluded.

Supporting Mercer County arts and theatre while staying up-to-date with the latest technology, one performance at a time.

The Addams Family debuts October 11-20 at 40 S. Irvine Street, Sharon PA. 

Visit this link to purchase tickets to donate to the performing arts center.