Three Generations of Support: Caren Prothro, Nita Prothro Clark, and Lili Clark Cohost the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s annual Bravo! Gala

Each year, the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s annual Bravo! Gala offers something unique to its participants and guests. This year’s event is no exception. We’ll be reuniting two of the original Broadway stars of RENT and honoring Barbara Thomas Lemmon, a stalwart of the local Dallas philanthropic and civic community. And this year’s co-hosts represent three generations of Center supporters under one dazzling roof at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House: Caren Prothro, a founding board member and Life Director; her daughter, Nita Prothro Clark; and her granddaughter, Lili Clark.

In 2001, Caren Prothro joined the Board of Directors for the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts (now the AT&T Performing Arts Center), serving as Chair of the Development Committee and collaboratively leading the record-breaking capital campaign that would elevate the profile of the Dallas Arts District. She also served as Vice Chair of the Board and was named Life Director in 2013. Nita Prothro Clark and her husband Cullum have been longtime supporters of the Center. Their daughter Lili has served on the Center’s Auxiliary Board. 

Caren Prothro, known as “Grammy” to her three granddaughters, says her role as a changing force for the Dallas Arts District started with her husband, Vin Prothro, who was involved in the early stages of developing the Center.  Upon his passing, she was asked to take his place and has never looked back.  

Prothro takes great pride in seeing her family’s commitment to the arts continue across generations while helping strengthen Downtown Dallas. “It’s great that the second and third generations find such value in volunteering their time supporting the arts in Dallas,” she says. 

Prothro’s daughter, Nita, served on the architectural search committee for the Wyly Theatre, and her husband Cullum served several years on the Center’s board and its finance committee. Third generation supporter Lili Clark has earned her place in the family tradition of arts ambassadorship by serving on the Auxiliary Board, a networking group for young professionals for the Center, and frequently attends events at the Center.  

Beyond their own contributions and achievements, the trio is thrilled to cohost this year’s Bravo! Gala honoree, a founding member, and longtime Director, Barbara Thomas Lemmon. “Take a bow, Barbara!” says Caren Prothro. “The AT&T Performing Arts Center its many artists, staff, fellow board members, patrons and volunteers pay tribute to you, for believing in the power of the arts to transform Dallas into the vibrant cultural capitol it has become.” 

Mrs. Lemmon has her own multigeneration tradition, often bringing her granddaughter Katie to accompany her at the annual Bravo! Gala event and many other performances at the Center.

Bravo! Gala will take place on Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the iconic Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, featuring a performance by the original stars of Rent, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp.  

Click here if you want to join in the celebration with a ticket or a table! See you there!  

In service of the Center’s mission to reach more North Texans through the arts, consider making a North Texas Giving Day donation. Like the proceeds from the annual Bravo! Gala, your donation directly supports the Center’s arts education and community engagement programs.