Josh and Kristen Alexander’s connection to Texas Performing Arts runs deep. From meeting at a performing arts middle school in Houston to attending shows at Bass Concert Hall as UT students, the arts have been at the heart of their story. Now, as proud alumni and supporters of Texas Performing Arts, they’re passing that passion onto their daughters, to Austin’s young audiences, and to the community they call home. TPA sat down with the Alexander’s to learn more.
You’ve been connected to the arts for much of your lives. How has that shaped your connection to TPA?
The arts have always been important to us. We met at a performing arts middle school in Houston, and in many ways our participation in and love for the arts has shaped us into the people we are today. We are fortunate to have had the privilege of attending so many of the performances at UT during our undergraduate years, which deepened our relationship with the university and each other. As alumni, we now have the opportunity to support the institution that gave us so much.
You often attend TPA performances as a family. What makes those moments special?
We love sharing the amazing TPA performances with our friends and family, especially our daughters, Kate and Ellie. We get to experience these shows again through their eyes. But, as special as this is, it’s not unique. We’re thrilled that TPA performances are now even more accessible to the larger community, so that many young audiences can gain exposure to new languages of expression – showing them how much larger the world is or could be.
Through your philanthropy, you support TPA’s education and engagement programs, including School Day Performances. Why is TPA’s education and engagement work so meaningful to you?
Participating in the arts fosters greater creativity for problem solving, instills greater confidence, and facilitates empathy and understanding—all qualities the next generation of leaders needs. Unfortunately, many young people grow up without exposure to this world. That’s why it’s so important to us that everyone growing up in Austin has the opportunity to peak behind the curtain—to get a glimpse of the performing arts, so they can learn more about themselves, and others.
Kristen, as a TPA Leadership Board member, and now Board Chair Elect, what inspires you about TPA’s mission?
The greatest thing about TPA is the people. TPA’s leadership is second to none as evidenced by the growth and reputation of the program. Because of this, TPA is one of the largest markets for Broadway Across America, and TPA earned this mark while being financially self-sustaining. But the other half of what makes TPA amazing is its community.
TPA does not just serve the University of Texas at Austin, but rather, TPA is THE performing arts organization in Central Texas. So, while we’ve accomplished so much, so quickly, and while there is still so much work left to do, we’re most proud of the impact that TPA continues to make in the community—the performances it brings to our market, the stories we get to share with each other. At the end of the day, that’s what the arts do—they bring people together, and we’re thrilled to be a tiny part of that.
What would you tell others about supporting TPA?
Art changes lives. Art can bring joy. Art can create understanding. Art can inspire, and art can humble. It can create a moment that affects you in ways nothing else can. And at the same time art endures – so much of what we carry with us, and what helps us understand our past is art. To that end—there are so few things in which we can invest that provide such a great return. Even a modest investment in the arts may afford us a stronger, more vibrant community—now and in the future. This is why we support TPA—it’s the unique opportunity to create memories with our loved ones, share amazing moments with a broad and thoughtful community, and invest in the future of Central Texas (and beyond!).
Inspired by the Alexander’s story? Learn more on how you can make a difference through TPA’s education and engagement programs by calling 512.242.8567 or emailing us at support@texasperformingarts.org.