Kids Helping Kids: Children’s Theatre of Mason Presents “Cinderella” March 12-14

Feb. 27, 2010 - PRLog -- MASON, OH – February 27, 2010 – The Children’s Theatre of Mason (CTM), a non-profit theatre company that has featured more than 800 children in dozens of productions since 2003, will present “Cinderella” in four performances from March 12-14 at the Mason High School auditorium.

For this production, the Theatre is teaming with Shepherd’s Crook, a local organization that partners with adoption agencies to find loving, permanent homes for special needs children. All proceeds from raffles and concession sales will be donated, and the children of Shepherd’s Crook will be guests of honor at one performance. Two of the kids – Cooper Ferguson, age 6, adopted from China, and Cartur Ferguson, age 8, adopted from Kazakhstan, will suit up in costumes and makeup for cameo appearances in the show.

“CTM is proud to take the timeless story of Cinderella to heart and help make a difference in the lives of foster children,” said Karen Kilgore, Production Manager for The Children’s Theatre of Mason. “Like Cinderella, many foster children face difficult odds and shattered dreams. And while we can't work the magic of a fairy Godmother, we can do our part to improve the lives of those most in need.”

Since its inception in 2003, CTM has sold more than 28,000 tickets and featured more than 800 children in its family-friendly productions. CTM also offers a variety of workshops and summer camps, which not only educate children about theatre, but also foster in them a love for the performing arts. By providing top quality directors, production specialists and instructors, CTM helps children learn valuable skills, build confidence and enjoy experiences they will always treasure.

Dirk Doebereiner will direct the Cinderella production, with choreography and musical direction by Jennifer Goforth. Performances will be Friday, March 12 at 7:00pm, Saturday, March 13 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm and Sunday, March 14 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.ChildrensTheatreofMason.com  or by calling 513.398.0116. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door beginning one hour prior to showtime.

“CTM gives young people an extraordinary opportunity to discover the magic of theatre,” added Kilgore. “And this production is that much more special because we also give them the chance to learn about Shepherd’s Crook and help create a ‘happily ever after’ for some very deserving foster children in our community.”

Shepherd's Crook is not an adoption agency, but seeks to aid special needs orphans in several ways. “The best way to help these children is to see them placed in loving, permanent families,” explained Scott Rosenow, who founded Shepherd’s Crook with his wife Kathy in 2002. Scott and Kathy have four biological children (two with special needs) and have adopted 13 special needs children of their own from around the world. Added Scott: “We partner with adoption agencies to match children with families who are able to adopt them. We provide support to these families during the difficult adoption process and, in many cases, also after the child comes home. It is extraordinarily rewarding to impact the lives of these remakrable kids and we’re very blessed to have CTM donate to our cause.”

Shepherd’s Crook also enables others to make tax-deductible donations which can be used toward the adoption expenses of these children. For some children, adoption is not possible because of closed countries, severe medical needs, or other complicated situations. In such cases, Shepherd's Crook helps by sending doctors or therapists to the country, providing medical or nutritional supplies, or funding foster care by a family in the child's home country. For more information, visit www.theshepherdscrook.org.

About The Children’s Theatre of Mason
CTM produces two large-scale productions each season, from Peter Pan and Red Riding Hood in 2009 to Seussical the Musical, Aladdin Jr. and other popular favorites. CTM offers children the opportunity to take part onstage as performers and off stage as crew members, set builders, make-up assistants and many other behind-the-scenes roles. For more information, visit www.ChildrensTheatreofMason.com or call 513.398.0116.

CTM’s corporate sponsors – Center for Optimal Vitality, Al’s Heating and Cooling, WrenCare, Jake Sweeney BMW, Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa, Bravo! Cucina Italiana and Whole Foods – have provided financial support to help make CTM’s production of Cinderella  and support of Shepherd’s Crook possible.