Barbara Goen urges: "Keep Arts Alive for Kids!"

Musical Theatre West is my passion project.  It's commitment to sharing theatre with children and young people is so worthy of your support.

As our children's world becomes more and more driven by what they see on screens,  the importance of live storytelling can't be overstated.  Watching children experience live theatre for the first time is almost overwhelming. The excitement, the engagement, the wide-eyed awe as they experience "The Sound of Music" or "Wizard of Oz" or "Newsies," or see a live production of a timeless story in their own classrooms, is unforgettable. The vast majority of these students come from underserved and under-resourced communities so they are seeing live theatre for the very first time.

Seventeen thousand students per year -- throughout the Southland -- are touched by Musical Theatre West's education programs.   So many have told us that, because they saw an MTW production, they want to become actors, or costume designers, or build the sets, or play in the orchestra, or write the next story. They tell us how a story reminded them of a personal experience, or a character was like someone they knew. They tell us they didn't know that "someone who looks like me" could be on the stage. 

Many students we served have indeed pursued careers in theater.  Many more have become enthused and appreciative audience members,  helping to support and sustain this unique American art form. 

There is no cost to students, teachers or schools for the work that we do,  whether they attend a student matinee, or see one of our curriculum-specific productions in their classrooms.  These programs are supported by donors like you.

Please join me in supporting live theatre for the next generation.  The students will be tremendously grateful.