J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), received the WaterFire Civic Impact Award at the FireBall Gala: Phoenix Rising on October 16, 2025. The award, presented by WaterFire Providence at its Arts Center in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood, recognized Singleton’s transformative leadership in Rhode Island’s arts community. Since becoming PPAC’s president in 1983, Singleton has revitalized the historic 1928 theater, steering it away from near bankruptcy to become a leading not-for-profit venue that hosts national Broadway tours and has garnered multiple prestigious awards. His efforts have boosted local tourism and the economy while preserving and modernizing the theater’s infrastructure. Singleton’s leadership has earned him numerous honors, including Providence Business News’ “Driving Force” awards, the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts, and induction into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. He also founded Professional Facilities Management, Inc., expanding its theatrical services across six states. Singleton expressed gratitude for the award, crediting PPAC’s board and staff for their support in achieving his vision to restore the theater’s original grandeur and vibrant cultural presence.