Grant Yarber will spend part of his Saturday night on stage in front of an audience of mostly young girls.
His company, Capital Bank of Raleigh, is one of the top corporate sponsors of N.C. Theatre and its production of High School Musical 2.
As he did last weekend, Yarber will join the group’s executive director Lisa Grele Barrie and others in saying a few words before the curtain lifts.
Mostly, he’ll thank parents for bringing their kids, and for supporting the arts in Raleigh.
As he does, he’ll also further his efforts to market Capital Bank.
"Parents are very loyal," Yarber said. "If you’re doing stuff to help out their kids and entertain their children, parents look favorably on that. They remember that."
Nearly all banks and their related foundations are big sponsors of community programs and events.
Utilities and many other corporations also recognize the benefits of putting their names on worthwhile endeavors to generate goodwill among existing and potential customers.
But not as many CEOs take time on a weekend night to speak to a preteen audience waiting for pop songs and dancing.
Does going on stage make Yarber nervous?
"You get used to it."
After his short moment in the spotlight, Yarber will sit back in the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and watch, again, the story of Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and the rest of the gang of East High Wildcats.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or 
