Madeline's 50th Birthday: Support Capital Classics Theater

Madeline’s 50th Birthday Fundraiser for Capital Classics Theater

In recognition of my 50th birthday, please consider participating in this fundraiser to benefit Capital Classics Theater. Capital Classics is a non-Equity professional theater company and was founded in 1991 to enrich the cultural environment of Greater Hartford through the performing arts. (The year 1991 is also significant as my friend & high school classmate Dr. Patricia Herrera- a theater professor- reminded me that this was the year we collaborated on writing what might have been our first play as part of an assignment at Brooklyn Technical High School!)

I joined the Board of Directors of Capital Classics because I share CC's commitment to providing classical entertainment that is affordable, accessible & engaging; serving the community with cultural and educational programming; honoring diversity and representation; and providing job opportunities and training to CT’s professional theater artists.

For most of us, the period of the Covid-19 health crisis became a time of deep life reflection. During the pandemic, my reflections led to a deepened love and knowledge of the performing arts as I took amazing play writing courses with talented playwrights including Young Jean Lee, Lauren Gunderson, and Jaclyn Backhaus. I had the privilege of getting to know Puerto Rican playwright & SUNY professor, Angela Parra and reconnecting with CC co-founders, Laura & Geoff Sheehan. Collectively, they helped me expand my role in theater from that of theater-goer to a multi-faceted identity that includes theater supporter and honoring my own story-telling abilities as a creative writer. As such, I’ve incorporated this art form as a complement to my scholarly social justice work, as a teaching tool within social work education and a future aid in supporting individuals with leading intentional life journeys.

You can learn more about Capital Classics and USJ's partnership here:

https://view.publitas.com/university-of-saint-joseph/outlook-alumni-magazine-spring-2024-university-of-saint-joseph-west-hartford-connecticut/page/14-15

If you are in the Hartford area, come check out a CC performance of Hamlet and/or Taming of the Shrew at USJ this summer! Any amount is welcomed & appreciated. Thank you in advance for contributing to a cause that means so much to me.

xoxo, Madeline