Auburn, Ala. - Auburn is star-studded this week, welcoming several celebrities for the premiere of the movie, "Life of the Party," staring Melissa McCarthy.
On Monday, McCarthy arrived to campus, rolled the trees with Student Government President, Dane Block, and most importantly, gave a major donation, along with her husband, to the new Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University.
McCarthy and her husband, director Ben Falcone, made the decision to donate $25,000 to the new performing art center. This amount was matched by Warner Bros. and New Line for a total gift of $50,000. This check was presented to Jane DiFolco Parker, Auburn University vice president for Development and president of the Auburn University Foundation.
“We are extremely grateful to Melissa and Ben, as well as Warner Bros. and New Line, for their recognition of Auburn’s dedication to advancing the arts,” said Parker. “This gift will embolden Auburn’s efforts to make this a world-class facility for our students and our community.”
McCarthy acknowledged and commended Auburn's commitment to the arts and described their gift as "returning the favor" to the students as they learn more about the arts.
The couple decided that they would give this gift after hearing of a new arts district being created at Auburn as a result of the recent construction of the performing arts center.
“There are so many areas in (the field of arts), and it’s so important we support that creativity,” said McCarthy. “So, it was really a pleasure, and Warner Bros. and New Line were so generous to go in on it with us.”
The new arts center, which will have a 1,200-seat main performance hall, an open lobby, and a porch and lawn that will serve as an additional performance venue, is set to open in fall of 2019.
"Life of the Party" stars a sad divorcé, played by McCarthy, whose daughter is headed to college. Rather than leaving after the drop-off, McCarthy's character decides to stick around and finish her pursuit toward a college degree. The film features other stars like Debbie Ryan, Mya Rudolph and Julia Bowen. It is also directed by Ben Falcone, McCarthy's husband. The film will be open in theaters nationwide beginning May 11.
