It
is my desire that the hard work and love that the children put into
this show live on after the production. So for each show that we do,
a portion of the proceeds derived from ticket sales will be donated
to a worthy cause.
MZ
Stageworks has also given thousands of dollars in arts scholarships!
NOW DONATING!
Ticket Sales from High School Musical NOW PLAYING Spring 2010:
“ SOMETIMES THE WORLD CAN SEE US IN A WAY THAT’S DIFFERENT
FROM WHO WE ARE”
Breakin’ Free lyrics- High School Musical
We often take for granted the simplest pleasures we are afforded in
our life. Just being able to smile is such a gift. It has been proven
that a smile is good for the health of the giver and the receiver.
I am constantly encouraging the kids of MZStageworks to smile- to
celebrate with our faces all the wonders of the story. We use our
faces to communicate and to survive. Our smile is our calling card
in life. Smiles are contagious. A smile can change the world. I think
everyone deserves to have the best smile they can have. That is why
we are using a portion of our ticket dollars to help the SMILE TRAIN.
Their mission is to “Change the World, One smile at a time”.
Come to think of it, that’s my mission too!
PAST
DONATIONS
Chris
Kids - Ticket Sales from Annie Fall 2008:
For
this show there was no doubt in my mind that our ticket dollars were
going to help CHRIS KIDS. CHRIS KIDS mission is to
heal children, strengthen families, and build community. Our core
values are Creativity, Honor, Respect,
Integrity and Safety: CHRIS.
Since 1981, They have delivered a broad continuum of critical services
to children, youth and families. Their work is guided by the voices
of those they serve. They offer a hand up that helps people help themselves.
We are here when we are needed in times of crisis and across a lifetime."
The Programs and Services they offer are:
The
"I am because we are" Foundation - Ticket Sales from Aladdin
Spring 2009:
I have spent many hours thinking
about what our community service for this show should be. There are
so many issues that need attention. I realize that this is a time
in our own country where people are struggling. I am a firm believer
in the saying, “whatever you give comes back to you”.
America has always been a giving nation and I want to put my faith
in that as I give of MZStageworks. That is why I have chosen “I
Am Because We Are” which funds children of the impoverished
country of Malawi by providing them education opportunities in hopes
of turning their lives around. It is an organization that teaches
self responsibility and that one need not be a victim of circumstance.
It teaches that we always have a choice in how we respond to life.
I was most impressed with their saying, “There are no free rides.”
These are values that I believe in and ones that I try to bring to
the children of MZStageworks: gratitude, hard work, and taking care
of each other. Everyone must do their part to the best of their ability
for the good of the whole show. By giving to another struggling area
of the world, it is my hope to have that good come back to us in America.
“I Am Because We Are” as a company, as a nation, as citizens
of the world. You can find out more about this organization by visiting
www.iambecauseweare.com.
The
Junior Diabetes Research Foundation - Ticket Sales from Willy Wonka
Fall 2008:
It is my desire that the hard work
and love that the children put into this show live on after the production.
So for each show that we do, a portion of the proceeds derived from
ticket sales will be donated to a worthy cause.
For this show I have chosen the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Diabetes is a disease that can have devastating and life threatening
complications due to the body’s inability to regulate blood
sugar. Since this is a show about the joys of sugar, it is important
for us to realize that not everybody has it so easy. “Diabetes-related
complications include eye disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, heart
disease and stroke. A significant part of JDRF's research is focused
on understanding how diabetes causes complications, and developing
drugs, treatments, and therapies to stop that process, or reverse
the impact of the different types of individual complications. Type
1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children suddenly and requires
multiple injections of daily insulin or a continuous infusion of insulin
through a pump. By supporting JDRF's mission to find a cure you won't
only be saving children, you will be saving childhoods.”
I am filled with memories of my childhood singing along to Sammy Davis
Jr. as he sang Candy Man. It was one of the first songs I ever learned
to play on my little electric organ. My parents have always encouraged
me and supported me in my artistic endeavors as I traveled the country
doing theatre.
This is a charity that I believe in because I have seen first hand
the impact that diabetes can have on a person’s life as both
of my parents have diabetes. It has been especially difficult on my
mother. So this show is dedicated to you Mom, and everyone who suffers
from diabetes.
The
National Spinal Cord Injury Association - Ticket Sales from Trial
Of The Big Bad Wolf Spring 2008:
Supporting a company that is dedicated to improving the quality of
life for those suffering with paralysis and other spinal cord related
diseases.
In 1998
my best friend, a dancer, well recognized in the NY theatre scene
was mugged and shot leaving the theatre after a performance of a touring
show. He survived, but the injury left him paralyzed from the chest
down. His life was forever changed. He moved to Atlanta to be near
his sister and I moved here to be near him. I have learned so much
about the challenges the handicapped face everyday by seeing the courage
it takes to go on after such a catastrophic incident. Because of him,
I have learned it is a blessing to be alive and to laugh. I started
MZStageworks to share our love of music and dance with others. On
this 10 year anniversary, it is time to celebrate- not the tragedy
of what was lost- but the beauty of a life that, through it all, has
helped so many others. Our donation this semester is to the National
Association for Spinal Cord Injury, a group dedicated to improving
the lives of those who have spinal cord damage through disease or
injury.
The
Atlanta Humane Society - Ticket Sales from Rejected Fall 2007:
The kids of MZStageworks have a lot to be proud of. Not only will
we have our ticket sales donation to the Atlanta Humane Society, but
they have all gotten together to collect items needed for the shelter
in order to help those animals who are “rejected”. Through
art they are learning that their voice counts and that they can do
great things that not only benefit themselves but others as well.
I included this letter because it was a proud moment for me in my
life- not my young life, but my life. I hope that each child involved
in this production has that kind of pride today. In 1981 I received
this letter:
Dear Merrideth:
It is
always a pleasure to hear from young Americans who care so deeply
about the many problems facing America today. I was very moved by
your sincere expression of love for animals and concern for the cruel
ways in which they are so often treated.Your letter shows a sensitive
understanding of the important role animals, both domestic and wild,
play in our lives. I want you to know that I share this concern and
commend your courage in speaking out on behalf of those who cannot
defend themselves.I hope that you will always be counted on to stand
up for those weaker than you are. This is a virtue in which you should
be very proud.
Sincerely,
Ronald Regan
H.E.R.O.
- Ticket Sales from Bedwetters Anonymous Spring 2007:
There
are so many issues and causes in this world that deserve our attention
and funding. This winter I had the privilege of meeting Garrett Graveson,
the co-founder of H.E.R.O. for Children, whose mission is "to
improve the quality of life and of children infected and affected
by HIV/AIDS through enriching programs, unforgettable experiences,
and connections to the community." I was shocked to discover
there are thousands of these children in the Atlanta area. How did
I not know about this? It became clear to me that this cause would
be the next contribution for M.Z. Stageworks. It will bring joy to
all our hearts to make the lives of children right here at home better,
and bring awareness to this issue. For more information on this wonderful
organization please visit www.heroforchildren.org
Let the
smiles of our Bedwetter's live on in the smiles of others. "When
was the last time you made a child a smile?"
ART
FOR HEART NYC - Ticket Sales from Velveteen Rabbit Fall 2006:
During my recent trip to New York City, my hometown, I was deeply
moved and inspired by the artwork of the children and its power to
help heal the wounds caused by the tragic events of September 11th
2001. On this fifth anniversary, M.Z.Stageworks will make a donation
to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation. By doing so there will
be a cobblestone used to build the memorial in the name of Velveteen
Rabbit Fall ’06. This will be listed in the archives on the
website:www.buildthememorial.org
So if
you ever get the chance to enjoy the magic of theatre, especially
in NYC, you will remember the love of this date, December 9th 2006
and the gift of living in this great country, The United States of
America.
