When I had to come up with a Bat Mitzvah project, I knew immediately that I wanted to combine my love of theater and performing with helping kids in some way.  I just wasn't sure how to do it.  After talking to my parents and my parents talking with Allyson Primack, the founder of the Audrey Johnson Theatre Foundation (The Audrey Johnson Theatre Foundation is a 501C3 non-profit corporation to ensure that all children in Arizona, regardless of their financial situation, can be a part of the magic of live theatre) we came up with the Send a Child to the Theatre program!

The Send a Child to the Theatre program works this way:  any child wanting to do a community service or mitzvah (good deed) project,  can choose their favorite local theatre, and their favorite upcoming show from that theatre's season. Then, the child will raise funds to purchase the entire theatre's seat capacity and fill it with children who would otherwise be unable to see live theatre.

I have chosen my home away home,  Scottsdale's Desert Stages Theatre (DST).  For those who know me, there is nothing I love more than my theatre life - between getting to sing and dance on stage in front of 1000s of people over the past 4 years, I have learned so much about myself and life and when I am at DST, there is no place that makes me smile more. 

While I know not everyone wants to, or will be able to perform on stage, I know that even being able to see live theatre is an amazing experience that can sometimes really impact your life.  I remember the first live play I saw was when I was about 3 years old and it was The Butterfly's Day (who knew I would actually get to perform in it almost 7 years later!) at DST to watch live theatre with lots of kids on the stage and I felt I was almost a part of the show being able to sit so close to them!

I would love for all kids who want to, to be able to experience the magic of live theatre.  And with your help, I am so lucky because I can do that - or we can do this together! 

I have chosen a performance of DST's upcoming show of "Annie" on Sunday, December 6. I am hoping to raise enough funds to provide each audience member a pizza dinner and a chance to chat with the actors and take photos.    I think that there are so many kids who don't get to experience live theatre and for them to watch Annie and then to meet people from the cast and eat dinner with them would be a life-changing experience for over one hundred people!

There are 136 seats at DST and I have set as my Bat Mitzvah Project my goal of filling each and every one of those seats at the 3pm show on Sunday, December 6!! 

When you donate, you will donate your money to the Audrey Johnson Theatre Foundation and that money will be earmarked for my bat mitzvah project. 

There is no minimum amount to donate - every dollar will help!  But, if you donate $20, you will be sponsoring  one child to be able to experience seeing "Annie" as well as meet the cast, ask them questions and have dinner with them as well as have some photo opportunities. 

To fill the theater, I need to raise $2720.00

For every person or family that sponsors at least 3 kids or more, or donates at least $60, I will include your name in the "Annie" Program as a sponsor of my Bat Mitzvah project.

Thank you so much for reading about my Bat Mitzvah project and why this is so meaningful to me and your consideration of donating!

Even if you are unable to donate, you can still help and support my bat mitzvah project by sharing this with your family and friends that might be able to donate!

Thank you and. . .see you at the theatre!