MorrisHerald-News.com | COAL CITY – Since the Coal City High School Auditorium was completed in 2010, the goal has been to fill it with fine arts performances of all kinds.

The school has worked to develop its fine arts program through concerts, plays and musicals. But until recently Coal City School District 1 hadn’t pursued outside acts, Superintendent Kent Bugg said.

A group of community members saw The Texas Tenors perform in December at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. A short time later, the idea to host a benefit concert for Coal City High School student and cancer-survivor Megan Bugg was born.

“The district was very interested,” said her father, Kent Bugg. “This is the first professional program for our community.”

At 7 p.m. April 24, the multi-genre trio – composed of country singer JC Fisher, pop singer Marcus Collins and opera singer John Hagen – will take the auditorium stage.

The event is sponsored by the Unit 1 Educational Foundation, which has a mission of enhancing, supporting and creating learning opportunities for students in the Coal City area.

Megan Bugg asked that all proceeds from the concert go into a special fund to bring more professional acts to the auditorium.

“She saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to her,” Kent Bugg said. “The money raised will be put back into a theater fund to bring acts here for the community to enjoy.”

Megan Bugg’s passion for the arts has grown immensely in the last two years and helped her through the darkest times, her father said. The Texas Tenors happened to be featured in 2009 on her favorite show and have toured the world since then.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Texas Tenors

WHEN: 7 p.m. April 24

WHERE: Coal City High School Auditorium, 655 W. Division St., Coal City

COST: $30 regular tickets; $50 VIP tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 815-634-2287. Tickets can also be purchased at www.coalcity.k12.il.us