Support Jo and Miranda in honor of Adrian Churchill

*Photo credit Jordan Fraker Photography

“Nothing of him that doth fade,

But doth suffer a sea-change

Into something rich and strange.”

– The Tempest, Act I, Scene II

After a long and valiant fight, our dear friend and colleague Adrian Churchill has lost his battle with colon cancer. As we collectively mourn, we have organized this fundraiser to support the loves of Adrian's life: his wife Joanna Schellenberg and their daughter Miranda. Our hope is that this fundraiser removes any financial burden that this shift in their family dynamic may present as they grieve, regroup, and begin their next chapters without their treasured husband and father.

Adrian was a beloved presence in the DFW theatre community—a brilliant actor, Shakespeare Dallas’ long-serving Production Manager, a generous collaborator, and a truly kind soul who left a lasting impact on every stage he touched and every person he met. There was nothing he was more proud of, nothing that gave him more joy, than Jo and Miranda.

As many of you know, Jo is an accomplished and immensely talented actor who has appeared on stages internationally. Day-to-day, she serves as the Office Administrator for Dave Perry Miller Lakewood. For the past 3 years, she was Adrian's dedicated caretaker, ensuring his time left was as best as it could be. She is a hero.

Many of us remember Miranda fondly as a child, all shining hair and precocious smiles. A recent graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, she will start at Pomona College in Claremont, California in a few short weeks. Adrian would want you to know she had her pick of colleges with generous academic scholarships. She hopes ultimately to pursue a graduate degree in art conservation.

With Adrian's passing, Jo and Miranda are facing not only profound grief but also the financial strain that often accompanies prolonged illness, end-of-life care, and funeral expenses.

"My heart fly to your service, there resides"

— The Tempest, Act III, Scene I

This is our chance to show up for Jo and Miranda in the way Adrian always showed up for others, and the way they showed up for him to the very end—with heart, humor, and unwavering generosity.

To the DFW theatre community and beyond: we’re calling on you to do what we do best.

Let’s rally. Let’s give. Let’s lift this family up.

Every donation makes a difference. Please share, give, and help us honor Adrian’s memory by supporting the ones he loved most.

With love,

Jenni Stewart, Laura Berrios, Lauren & Mason York, Nicole Berastequi, Amanda Ruby, T.A. Taylor

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

– The Tempest, Act IV, Scene I