Kid to Kid Stories: The Annual Cabaret

By A.J. Magoon

Summer's not over yet, and we have even more fantastic stories of students supporting their peers through Kid to Kid! Students donate money to help others be able to come to Academy. Most recently: the Cabaret! Photos in this blog post by Heather Crouse.

On Tuesday, July 19th, Youth Arts Hall at the Milwaukee Youth Center was full. Students, alumni, family, and friends all came out to support our Third Annual Kid to Kid Cabaret. An incredibly successful yearly event, the Cabaret allows First Stage Theater Academy students to cheer on their teachers and staff in a variety of acts and performances. Though admission is free, donations and raised awareness have a huge impact – this year, over $300 was raised!

There’s no doubt that First Stage Theater Academy students learn from the best, and this Cabaret just served as proof. Attendants were entertained with a dance duet by Emilie Thomas and Teaching Artist Fellow Giana Blazquez; a dance solo by Liz Faraglia; songs by Joey Chelius, Will Esty, Katy Radiske, Amanda Satchell, and Teaching Artist Fellow LaDareon Copeland; a monologue by Jeremy Tardy; and musical improv by J.T. Backes, Audra Handschke, and Patrick Thompson. There was even an accordion!

The entire night was masterfully overseen by emcee duo Chantae Miller and Megan Grizzle, with Paula Foley Tillen on piano throughout.

Feelings were high all night as students, staff, family, and friends all supported Kid to Kid! Liz Faraglia, who called the opportunity to dance solo “so exhilarating and freeing” also stated “I have been touched by such wonderful lives there and wanted to give back.”

Many other shared the sentiment, and give back they did! Over $300 was raised to help students afford classes through First Stage Theater Academy, making this night a bona fide success!

If you’re inspired by our fantastically supportive student community, you can always make a contribution yourself! Simply visit http://www.firststage.org/give and note “Kid to Kid” in the comment section of your donation form. First Stage has never turned a student away from the Academy because of a lack of funds – thanks to incredible students like these, this continues to be true year after year!