Feeling Doing Thinking, Inc.

Hello to everyone who loves the magic of the theater and the ability to bring stories to life through dance. My name is Amber Robins, and I am asking for donations to help bring Frances Smith Cohen's Snow Queen back to Stage West at the Herberger Theater Center in December 2024!!

For those who didn't know, this production was performed for over 25 years. It started out as a 20-minute dance and was cultivated into a full evening ballet that touched the hearts of everyone who experienced it. The whole purpose of this show was to let its viewers and dancers know that hope, perseverance, kindness, and true love will always overcome and conquer evil. This is why the Snow Queen needs to return and I believe that many of you out there agree. In fact, last December, over 500 of you came to the Herberger Theater Center and stood under the Arizona sun just to watch a 30-minute version be performed! The support and love for this show is undeniable.

So, how do we get the Snow Queen back? This is the big question that has many answers. The biggest answer is financial support and that is why I have started this Go Fund Me. In order for us to rent Stage West at the Herberger Theater Center it takes funds. Luckily, I have recently been hired to become part of the Herberger family and work in the community engagement department. This is the reason we were able to bring a short version of Snow Queen to the Pavilion Stage last December and are opening the 2023-2024 Lunch Time Theater season with a 45-minute version to the KAX stage. Obviously, the logical next step is bringing the FULL Snow Queen back to Stage West! This will, of course, include all the children’s, young adult, and adult roles that we have not been able to include in any of our shortened versions, and have been greatly missed. These roles were created by Frances Smith Cohen to give opportunities for dancers of all ages to gain experience dancing in a professional production. The educational component of teaching amateur dancers, ages 7 years old and beyond, was always an integral part of Fran’s mission to positively impact lives through dance.

In addition to paying for the theater space, we will also use the money requested to build new sets and repair some of the old set. My nonprofit, Feeling, Doing, Thinking Inc, was gifted the sets and costumes used for Snow Queen. This included the Enchantress Chair, Snow Queen rock, portals, and all back drops. Unfortunately, the portals were falling apart and had to be broken down and thrown away. Also, the Enchantress chair had molded and was no longer safe to use. These set pieces will need to be rebuilt or reimagined. This will take the skill of a set and prop builder who will come at a cost.

I am diligently looking into grants through many different means since costumes will need repairing/altered, studio space will need to be rented, tech and lighting designers are imperative, and dancers need to be compensated. This is a major undertaking! However, I feel that all the money, work, struggle, and time will be worth it. Frances Smith Cohen’s Snow Queen isn’t just a “show”. The Snow Queen is a FORCE! It is an experience that brings laughter, love, and hope to all that are in it’s presence.

Thank you for giving your time and attention to this request. If you are able to donate any amount you will be helping, bring back a Phoenix tradition that so many families hold dear. If you are unable to donate, please help by sharing our crowd fund and come see the show next year!!

Thank you,

Amber