Hi, our names are Mollie Lief and Billy Rugh - the proud drama and dance teachers - at Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School. Last January, our community of Altadena was devastated by the Eaton Fire, which destroyed our beloved school. Many of our students and staff lost their homes and their neighborhood.

Through it all, my theater students showed incredible resilience. Despite the heartbreak, they poured their energy into our annual musical, Shrek JR., which they had the honor of performing on the stage of the renowned Ahmanson Theatre last April. They are passionate, hardworking, funny, empathetic, and brave—and they used their creativity to sing, dance, and tell a story of courage in the face of loss.

Last spring, when I asked them to dream big, their answer was unanimous: they want to travel to New York City to experience Broadway. For many, this would be their very first time leaving California, and I know that this adventure would be nothing short of life-changing.

This GoFundMe is dedicated to raising money for scholarships so every student can attend Eliot Arts Broadway Bound. Sixty kids are set to go, and we want to make sure no one is left behind because of financial hardship. The funds raised will be dispersed among families who cannot pay full tuition for the trip. With your support, these students will see three Broadway shows, participate in multiple Broadway workshops, and explore the sights and culture that NYC has to offer. For many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that brings joy and inspiration after a year of loss.

We’ve already held several fundraisers, and now we need your help to get to the finish line. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our students on what we hope will be a transformative, joyful, and meaningful trip—especially after so much loss and grief last year. We hope this adventure will inspire them and be remembered for the rest of their lives. Your generosity will help make dreams come true and show these kids that their community believes in them.