Help Ukrainian Refugee Youth Perform The Lion King

At a boarding school just outside of Warsaw, Hungary, a magical opportunity awaits. Ukrainian refugee children, who have faced unimaginable hardships, will delve into the transformative power of art and creativity through co-creating ‘The Lion King' musical theatre production, commencing on April 1st, 2024.

Here is the school website:

https://www.childrenofukraine.net/en

Our Mission: To Bring Hope and Joy

Our mission is simple yet profound: to infuse hope, joy, fun, and experience of creating something excellent into the lives of resilient young souls and their families. My team and I will do this by producing the musical ‘The Lion King’ with the children as the actors. Through the enchanting world of musical theater, we aim to ignite sparks of inspiration and resilience. I chose "The Lion King" because its story exemplifies the journey of overcoming adversity, experiencing growth, and ultimately rebuilding.

You can help make this happen—see bottom of this text.

Assembling a Fantastic Team

To bring this dream to life, we've assembled a dedicated team of professionals. From an accomplished choreographer to a skilled interpreter/acting coach and an excellent art teacher, every aspect of the production will be carefully curated. Alongside these teachers stands myself, serving as both director/producer and musical director/pianist.

The Journey Begins: Casting and the Rehearsal Process

Our journey kicks off with casting, ensuring every eager child finds their place in our production. Over nine weeks, participants will engage in over thirty rehearsals that include singing, dancing, and acting, with some mask-making—nurturing growth, creativity, teamwork, and empowerment.

The Grand Finale: Sharing Talents

The culmination of our efforts will lead to four breathtaking performances, hosted free of charge in an excellent two-hundred seat theatre, starting on May 31, 2024. Imagine the excitement as these children share their talents with loved ones and friends, radiating confidence and pride.

Your Opportunity to Make a Difference:

Join us in this impactful journey, where we harness the power of 'The Lion King' to transform lives. Your support will create lasting impressions, granting children the chance to shine, dream, and inspire. Together, we can weave a tapestry of change in the hearts of these children and their families, resonating for years to come.

Supporting the Journey:

You can contribute to this dream by signing up for online music or theatre lessons with me. Explore subjects such as solo singing technique, jazz phrasing, piano, music theory, and theatrical monologue coaching. I also help people who have a fear of singing or believe they cannot sing move through that towards empowerment. Your payments will enable me to dedicate my time to volunteering with the refugees, fostering their growth and development.

An Alternative Path to Support:

If online lessons aren't for you, consider making a donation. While I prefer to exchange my services for financial support, any contribution is deeply appreciated and goes directly toward making this project possible.

Where Will the Money Go?:

As the director, producer, and musical director/pianist, I volunteer my time for 'The Lion King.' Funds raised will cover transportation from Ukiah, California to Warsaw, as well as necessary expenses during my volunteer tenure. Your contributions ensure I can dedicate approximately 180 hours valued at $14,000, facilitating this transformative experience.

How Can You Help?

1) Sign up for online lessons: click the ‘contact’ button below and let me know you’d like lessons. They cost $30 for 30 minutes. I’ll get right back to you.

2) Make a donation; click the ‘donate now’ to contribute directly to this fundraising effort.

Any expenses incurred during my weekend jazz performances in other European cities are covered personally, ensuring that your donations have maximum impact.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary adventure. Together, we'll paint a brighter tomorrow for these incredible young individuals and their families--

David Post