Get your dancing boots ready! The American Southwest Theatre Company (ASTC) is hosting their second annual “Boots and Bling” fundraiser to support the New Mexico State University theatre department at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Tickets are available at https://nmsutheatre.ludus.com/index.php?sections=events.
The event includes a buffet dinner, dancing, a DJ, lessons from a line dance choreographer, a cash bar and a silent auction with items donated by local businesses such as Fresh Chile Company, Nambé, Better Life Pet Foods, Sonoma Stretch, Austin’s Fine Jewelry, Mutt Hutt and Rudy’s. NMSU theater students also will perform a preview of their upcoming production “Into the Woods.”
“Boots and Bling is a wonderful evening of fun and entertainment,” said Wil Kilroy, theatre arts professor and department head. “I am thankful and honored that we have dedicated volunteers that are part of the American Southwest Theatre Company board who love theatre and our students, and work to secure funding to support us.”
With the proceeds from “Boots and Bling” the ASTC brings in playwrights, musicians, choreographers, set designers and other professionals to work directly with NMSU theatre students. Funds also enable students to attend workshops and competitions, as well as provide extra support through an emergency fund for other needs students might have in their education.
“What I enjoy is seeing the students grow and mature as actors and as individuals,” said Denise Welsh, ASTC president. “We want to enhance the educational experience of our students, and this event gives us the funds to support them through it.”
Tickets for “Boots and Bling” are $75 for individuals, or $600 for a table of eight. Individual or corporate sponsors can purchase a table of eight for $800, which includes two bottles of wine, a packet of eight tickets for the NMSU 2026-2027 theatre season and recognition throughout the event.
“We love that this event brings the community together,” Welsh added. “We hope that by hosting events like this, we can get new people in who are interested in supporting the theatre and our students.”
To make a donation or learn more, contact Denise Welsh at (575) 642-2980.
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CUTLINE: The American Southwest Theatre Company (ASTC) is hosting the 2nd annual “Boots and Bling” fundraiser to support the New Mexico State University theatre department at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. ATSC board members Carolyn Williams, Denise Welsh, Beth Pollack and Bonnie Williams are pictured here preparing items donated by local businesses for the silent auction. (Courtesy photo)