Not only is Faith Prince a Wagon Wheel Theatre alum, she also is a Tony award-winning Broadway, film and television star.

Now Warsaw Community High School officials hope to bring the talented and funny actress back to Warsaw for the Sept. 16 grand opening of the Performing Arts Center.

WCHS Assistant Principal Jennifer Shepherd is hoping to have all the costs underwritten. There will be no cost to the school corporation for the gala. Shepherd asked the school board to allow her to enter into the contract. At least half of the costs already have been pledged by Zimmer, Arby's, Ramada and Maple Leaf Grill. Shepherd is waiting for word back from foundations, businesses and other organizations on more funding.

Along with Prince's 60-minute performance, performances also will be given by WCHS choir, theater and band students. There will a "meet and greet" after Prince's performance at the Center, as well as one at the Maple Leaf Grill. Tickets to the concert will be sold at a reasonable price, Shepherd said.

School Board Vice President Dan Robinson asked Shepherd what would happen if she couldn't get enough donations to cover the costs. Shepherd said that's why they would sell tickets. The Center seats about 990, and if 500 are sold for $20 apiece, that's $10,000.

Robinson said if that also fails, where is the money going to come from? Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott said they're talking about that. "She's off to a good start," he said.

School board attorney Max Reed said the contract appears to be a standard booking contract and he is comfortable with it.

Deb Wiggins, school board member, made the motion to allow Shepherd to sign the contract. Shepherd is to keep the school board posted, and Scott is to set up the accounts and paperwork to accept the donations.

If the people of the school corporation can't back this program, school board member Chuck Sauders said he'd be shocked and disappointed. "I think it's going to be a great event," he said.

Shepherd said she will update the school board at their June meeting. Anyone interested in becoming donors for the gala should contact Shepherd at the high school.

Faith Prince performed at the Wagon Wheel Theatre during their 50th anniversary party last summer.

Prince currently appears in Showtime's critically acclaimed original series "Huff" as Kelly Knipers. She also will appear in the upcoming independent film "Our Very Own" with actresses Allison Janney and Cheryl Hines, and opposite Hilary and Haily Duff in their feature film "Material Girls."

She is best known for her Tony-winning turn as the perennially unwed "Miss Adelaide" in the 1992 Broadway revival of "Guys and Dolls." She also was nominated for Tony awards for her portrayal of "Ella Peterson" in the revival of "Bells Are Ringing", and "Jerome Robbin's Broadway."

On television, she recurred for five seasons on "Spin City" and "Now and Again." Other television credits include "Faith," "Sweet Potato Queens," "Welcome to New York" and "Law and Order." She also can be seen this season on "House" and "Monk." [[In-content Ad]]