Zink: the Myth, the Legend, the Zebra, a play based on a true story of one child’s journey with leukemia, will be performed the first weekend of March to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection.
The UU Children’s Theater will present the show to audiences on March 4 at 7:00 p.m., March 5 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and March 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines (1800 Bell Avenue in Des Moines). Tickets are $10.00 each and may be purchased at the door or in advance at: www.ChildrensCancerConnection.org/ZinkTheZebra.
Bob Filippone, director and producer of Zink: the Myth, the Legend, the Zebra, said theater and acting had a positive influence on him while he was in high school. Because of this, Filippone was inspired to provide a similar positive experience for the children in his church. In 2007, he decided to start the UU Children’s Theater at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines.
Each year, they hold auditions in December to prepare for the upcoming play in the spring. They have never turned away any actors and this year there are 18 children involved in the show. Bob said that it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the growth of the children who’ve participated in the plays over the past four years. Bob then decided to produce Zink after reading over the script for a few years. “It struck a nerve that I just couldn’t shake and I had to have the chance to tell the story my way,” said Filippone.
“When I decided to do Zink, I knew what I had to do,” said Filippone. “We had to donate a portion of the proceeds to sponsor a cabin of kids at Camp Heart Connection’s Oncology Camp.”
Camp Heart Connection offers two week-long summer camps – one for children with cancer and other for their siblings. The purpose of the camp is to provide a forum for children to talk with other children who have been affected by childhood cancer and understand how they are feeling. During the week the children are able to build a network of support- a group of friends available when they need to talk with someone who “understands.”
Zink: the Myth, the Legend, the Zebra is a heartfelt show that showcases the power of imagination, friendship and uniqueness.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
