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Marlene Hawkins, an administrator at Greensboro Performing Arts, grew up in three orphanages in North Carolina, so when the arts center chose “Annie” for its upcoming production, she openly shared with students about her childhood.

“I thought it might help them with being able to relate to their character,” she said.

Hawkins was even more thrilled when Greensboro Performing Arts decided to donate a portion of ticket sales from the show to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.

“The amount we raise might be just enough to help a family be able to adopt a child,” Hawkins said.
A production of the center’s Musical Theatre Company, “Annie” will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 in Odell Auditorium on the campus of Greensboro College. The production includes 31 children, boys and girls, age 9 to 14. In preparation for the performance, the children visited the Children’s Home Society and learned more about the process of adoption.

“The kids have been so excited and are really working hard to sell tickets,” Hawkins said.

After paying for costs associated with putting on the production, such as rental of the auditorium, Hawkins said she anticipates a large percentage of the ticket sale revenue to be donated to the Children’s Home Society.

“This will be a fun, family production,” Hawkins said. “Young children would love it.”

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer. brown@news-record.com.