Anne Breitling is fundraising
Over 300 theater and music students in my garage
Help Us Build a Theater Home for All Kids — From Garage to Center Stage!
Imagine discovering your passion… in a garage.
That’s what’s happening right now at Breitling Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Garland, Texas, where, annually, over 350 students rehearse, sing, dance, and grow—in my 485-square-foot garage.
I’m Annie Breitling, a Garland native and North Garland High School UIL Actress Award winner. As a teen, theater helped me overcome anxiety and find a place where I truly belonged. I founded Breitling Performing Arts on January 16, 2010, with one goal:
To ensure every child ages 3–18 has the chance to shine on stage and feel like they belong.
Our Impact
What began in a garage now serves 350+ children annually through:
- Weekly theater classes, music lessons, and art classes
- A daily after-school program
- Camps and performances all year round
- And our ARKA initiative (At-Risk Kids in the Arts), which ensures 5–10% of our afterschool students each semester are at-risk students.
Our reach extends even further. Through daytime field trip shows at the Plaza Theatre and Granville Arts Center, we impact over 14,000 students and children each year—more than 17,000 when you include adults, from across DFW.
“The best part is that our students get the opportunity to see other kids like them perform. Their engagement level during the performance is always an indicator of how much they enjoy the shows.”
— Larinda Derrick, Toler Elementary
"I liked how you had child actors. Some of my third graders thought that was really cool and commented that they would like to try it sometime." — Julie Valentine, Woods Intermediate
What Makes Us Different
What sets us apart? Radical inclusion.
- Every student enrolled is guaranteed a role.
- We welcome children of all abilities, identities, languages, and backgrounds.
- Children with disabilities participate fully, side-by-side with their peers.
- We foster kindness, confidence, and creativity—not competition.
And it works:
93% of kids who try a free class, enroll—even with the limitations of our space.
According to Frontiers in Psychology (2022), theater improves emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills, helping students thrive in every part of life.
Psychology Today adds:
“Children involved in the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, participate in math and science fairs, or win awards for school attendance.”
Why It Matters (Especially in Garland ISD)
Garland ISD is the 18th largest school district in Texas, with:
- 68 schools—67 of them Title I, meaning most students qualify for free/reduced lunch
- 19,000+ English learners, making up 30% of the student population
- Only ONE elementary school (Vial Elementary) offering dedicated theater instruction
- Middle and high school theater programs are often competitive and exclusive, leaving thousands of children—especially those with special needs or no prior experience—without access.
Breitling Performing Arts fills this gap.
We say YES to every child. We give them a place to belong. And we do it all… from a garage.
️ Our Big Dream: A Real Performing Arts Facility
We are working to purchase an 8,000-square-foot building at 3305 Century Drive in Rowlett, Texas (Garland ISD), just 9 minutes from our current location.
With your help, this new space will include:
- A 100-seat theater
- 3 theater classrooms (up from 1)
- 3 music lesson rooms (up from 1)
- 2 dance studios (a brand-new addition)
This will allow us to:
- Serve more children
- Expand dance, music, art, and inclusive theater programming
- Maintain our promise: every child gets a role and a place to grow
Why Parents Support Us
"I wish we had found you sooner."
— A phrase we hear from parents every week
Many of our students tried sports, gymnastics, or other activities—but nothing clicked until they found theater. It’s not just about the stage. It’s about confidence, identity, and community.
Imagine never finding where you belong. That’s what we help kids overcome—by giving them a stage and saying:
You matter. You belong here.
How You Can Help
We need your support to make this dream a reality. Every dollar donated supports our expansion for a new location.
Every dollar helps us move out of a garage and into a space that honors the kids we serve.
Can’t Donate Today?
You can still help by:
- Sharing this campaign with friends and family
- Following us on social media
- Telling others about our mission
- Share our video
- Pray for our move, for our workers, for our volunteers, and for the children we serve.
Together, we can build a home where every child feels seen, heard, and celebrated.
Help us lift the curtain on a brighter future—one child, one story, one stage at a time.
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