Inspired Giving
I’ve been very fortunate to be able to give back to my community and to other communities around the world. I’m hard wired with an instinct to help others in need. You could say I’m a woman on a mission. I wanted to make my creative process a part of that mission.
It is with this mission in mind that I will donate 15% of Zenshine’s net annual proceeds to Planned Parenthood (because the health and welfare of women is so vitally important! Am I right ladies!).
In addition to the annual donation, I will use the net proceeds of specially designed pieces to help support additional organizations that I have been working with over the years.
I am currently featuring the first organizations and the jewelry pieces that were designed in collaboration with one of the organization’s leaders. I’ll give you some insight on the organization and why it is dear to my heart.
If you are inspired to give, it’s an opportunity to make a positive impact in someones life and add a little shine to yours. That’s what I call a win/win! Mission accomplished!
Maryland Ensemble Theatre
I want to share my love for Maryland Ensemble Theatre! I saw my first MET show in 1998. It was so exciting to have a new theatre in our community and from the first moment I sat in my seat there was an energy in the air and knew it was going to be special. That night my husband and I decided to participate in their fundraiser to “buy a seat”. We then became season subscribers and then season sponsors. We have been season sponsors for the past 17 years now and have been inspired and entertained with the powerful and thought provoking theater that has been produced by the MET. They also have produced numerous original works which speaks to the extraordinary talent of this ensemble. And all of this is just their main stage!
They also have a children’s theater, the Fun Company, an improv group, the Comedy Pigs, an Ensemble School, which provides acting lessons for all age groups and MET X, which gives the opportunity and space to ensemble members to hone their craft and practice producing productions. Their newest offshoot is METLab which is dedicated to cultivating audience outreach, community discussion, and new play development.
I was honored to serve on the MET board for eight years, five of which I was the board chair. I wanted to find a way to continue my support for the MET through Zenshine … so creating a piece for the MET seemed like the perfect opportunity. I spent the afternoon with Associate Artistic Director Julie Herber and we designed an earring that encompasses the many components of MET. The new earring is called Ensemble. When you purchase this earring, the net proceeds will go to the MET to help support all of the ways that they enrich our community.
The Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been woven into the fabric of my life and I feel I am a better person because of it! Learn more about MET and follow their upcoming events!
MET In School Production Program
When I was in high school, I was a member of the speech and acting team. I didn’t realize it at the time, but by being involved with this group, I was gaining some valuable skills. When I learned that MET Associate Artist Director, Julie Herber was developing a program for school children, I was intrigued. I have seen first hand how exposing children to the arts can give them confidence, self esteem, teach team work and cooperation and give a sense of community.
So what is this program all about? It’s an after-school arts in education program that brings a full immersive experience to students in the world of theatre. The MET brings in established teaching artists and directors to mount a full scale production including scenery, costumes, lighting, makeup, sound and props. Students get to dive head first into the discipline, teamwork, courage and fun that it takes to create lifelong memories through the magic of theatre. After the 10-12 week program they then get to reap the rewards by performing in front of audiences of their family, friends, teachers and peers. Pretty amazing, am I right?
The thing is that many of the schools whose children could benefit from this the most might not have the funding to bring this program to their students. Fundraising is an important way we can help subsidize the program for schools whose budgets are already stretched too thin. Learn more about the In School Production Program. If you feel inspired, purchase the fundraising earrings that Julie and I created. The net proceeds from the sale of this earring will go to the program. Now that is jewelry that inspires!