Dear friends, a respected, and beloved member of our community needs our help. Many of you know Michael Oatman as a director, writer, teacher, mentor, colleague, and all-around good friend. Mike has really been through a lot over these last few weeks. After suffering a stroke in December that made it impossible for him to work, he was recovering with his mom, Dora.
Early on the morning of February 7th, a house fire broke out. Mike and his mom escaped. They are safe, and uninjured physically; but his mother’s home, the house Mike grew up in, is gone.
Mike’s mom has insurance, and the Red Cross provided some items immediately. But food, clothing and especially Mike’s heart medications are still needed. Oatman’s medication generally runs upwards of $1,600 per month.
He needs us now to help provide meals, meds, and a few items of comfort-clothing for the next few months until their home can be restored, and Mike and his mom can get back on their feet.
Our GoFundMe goal is $10,000 by March 15.
All funds raised go directly to Mike. We know times are challenging, but rest assured, that Mike and his mom would be very grateful for your generous help.
Thank you so very much. Oatman and his mom will be very grateful for your support.
Michael Oatman's Bio below reflects a small part of his impact on our community both locally, and across the country.
Michael Oatman is the former Playwright-In-Residence at Karamu Theater, the oldest African American producing theater in the country. He is only the second person to hold this honor; the first being Langston Hughes. He serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Nebraska, and at Kent State University. Mike, a Cleveland Arts Prize recipient, was also a Cuyahoga County Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) Workforce Fellow awarded for significant contributions to the economy through the arts. A Lantern Award for Best Play recipient, Oatman’s plays have been produced in multiple venues across the country, most notably “You Got Nerve”, and “War paint, Eclipse: The War Between Pac and B.I.G.”. He holds a BA from Cleveland State University, and an MFA from the NEOMFA Consortium.
“For me the beauty of theater is that it lives. It is not an artifact. It wrestles with us and forces us to wrestle with it.”
- Michael Oatman