Thomas has been enlisted to help provide visibility for the $5 million fundraising initiative that provides funding for educational programs at major resident theatres throughout the U.S. Currently 19 regional venues receive support from the fund to provide teaching artists, playwriting, acting and student matinee programs.

"NCTF is a champion of regional theatre and, for decades, it has successfully engaged the American business community into funding great theatre across the country," Thomas said in a statement. "NCTF has been most recently focused on harnessing classroom creativity into productivity through its Impact Creativity arts education initiative — something I feel very passionate about and a topic that should be front and center in our nation’s debate on education and the economy. I am thrilled to join as Honorary Chair at this critically important time for theatre and for arts education which has faced some of the worst cuts in years and needs our focus and attention."

Former honorary chair Hal Holbrook added, "It's good news that Richard Thomas has accepted the honorary chairmanship of NCTF. His experience in regional theatre is a valuable ingredient for the job. I could never forget the riveting performance he gave at Hartford Stage as Hamlet. And I'm grateful to him for taking on this job in the cause of keeping the regional theatres in America growing and strong."

Founded in 1978, the National Corporate Theatre Fund is a not-for-profit association dedicated to sustaining America's finest not-for-profit theatres, on the stage and in the community, through innovative partnerships with companies, individuals and artists. From its base in New York, NCTF provides a national vehicle for the flow of theatre, collaboration and ideas to and from key markets.

Visit impactcreativity.org.