In 2016, the Jonathan Williams Center for the Performing Arts (JWCPA) was incorporated with a mission to educates and trains youth and adults in the performing arts and provide quality performing opportunities. In February 2017 JWCPA received its IRS non-profit 501c3 determination letter.
JWCPA’s first event in 2017 was a fantastic performance of “Mahalia”, a rousing musical about the life of legendary Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, written by Tom Stolz. It completed its run to sold-out audiences of over 700.
Our second 2017 project was JWCPA’s producing of “The Gospel According to Scrooge” with music by John A.Worre and Tom Ellie This production had over 137 actors, instrumentalists, and technicians, shown to over 1000 patrons.
In service to our community, JWCPA hold live Summer Camps. Since 2016, more than 502 students and adults have participated in JWCPA productions with audience attendance over 3450. We’ve also served patrons from the states of New York, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, and California!
“Thank you, Jonathan Williams, for bringing the talent out of these students. Beautiful work!”
S. Lewis Jr., BISD Board of Directors
“Loved the nurturing environment and feel that JWCPA is opening more opportunities for youth of color…”
A Barry.
JWCPA proudly introduced its STEM and Financial Literacy classes in the 2022 Summer Camp. The 2023 Summer Camp was a huge success with 60 participants and almost 800 audience members at the end of camp production!