NATCHEZ — While in the process of updating the stage lighting at the Natchez Little Theatre, the NLT Board of Directors decided to donate their old equipment to Adams County Christian School to benefit the theatrical experiences and programs hosted there.

Adams County Christian School Theatre Director Malori Giannaris said Natchez Little Theatre Board of Directors President Chris Borum and her associate directors contacted Giannaris about donating their old stage lighting, which is valued at approximately $15,000, to the ACCS theatre program.

“They got some new lighting and they were looking for a worthy program to donate the lighting that they previously had,” Giannaris said. “… It’s a big need for sure, especially for our theater program. … It’s worth about $10,000 to $15,000 that wouldn’t have been in the future for us — not for at least the next decade.”

Giannaris said the stage is used not only for ACCS Drama Club productions but also for kindergarten graduation ceremonies, Christmas programs, pageants and other special events hosted at the school.

“Not only will our theater program benefit from (the donation) but several of our other programs will benefit from it as well,” she said. “All of the money used for ACCS theater programming is raised by our students and their parents. We are completely independently funded.”

Giannaris said the ACCS Drama Club currently has 67 members, many of whom also perform at the Natchez Little Theatre. Giannaris said she has also been involved with the Natchez Little Theatre herself and shadowed directors for experience.

“Naturally, and knowing our needs, we came to mind when the theatre looked for a program that could benefit from the stage lighting,” Giannaris said.

The school will host a luncheon later this week to thank the NLT board, Giannaris said.

The next ACCS theatre performance will be “Aladdin” on April 25 and May 2. Tickets start at $5 for students and will go on sale April 6, Giannaris said.

“Lighting is such an imperative aspect of theater,” Giannaris said. “Now that we are able to implement that, it is going to take our production quality to the next level.”