“Culture should not be an add-on. It must be a statuary requirement."

(Winter Wonderettes - 2014 - TheatreCares tour for nursing homes & assisted living facilities. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Artworks.)

Dear Friends, Family and Colleagues,

Truer words were never spoken. TheatreWorks Florida (TWF) has not only spent the last 10 years believing that statement but has made incredibly positive contributions to the Central FL arts community through its main stage shows and TheatreCares community outreach program. Now in September 2017, TWF will open its doors on an all-new theatre space for the community of Davenport, FL. We are thrilled to bring our award-winning professional musical productions to a town that has never had a theatre program before and are so excited to share the magic of theatre with Polk County and all of Central FL.

(Disney High School Musical Live! - 2007 - TWF inaugural production.)

I want to say a very heartfelt thank you to every last person who has been on the stage, off the stage, behind the scenes or supported TWF…for believing in my dreams, the dreams of this company and giving us the ability to improve the quality of life for countless people.

In 2007, TWF started on a couch with my dear friend, James F. Beck, Chair of the Florida Southern College Dept. of Theatre and Dance. I told him my dreams and he merely said, “Just jump off the cliff. We’ll figure it out later”. And I did. From that point forward, TWF has never stopped giving to our Central FL community.

(Schoolhouse Rock Live! - 2015 - TheatreCares tour for underserved students. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Artworks.)

Unfortunately, theatre is expensive to produce. Right now, TWF is upgrading the new theatre with seating, lights and sounds, as well as launching 3 fantastic musical productions. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are very fortunate to have the ability to serve our community with professional artistic designers and high quality productions, backed by supporters who know they are giving to an organization that gives whole-heartedly. From 3 National Endowment for The Arts awards to the neighbor down the street, everyone who has supported our efforts has made a huge impact on what we are able to do for Central FL.

As I've gotten older, I realize even more how important TheatreWorks Florida has become in my life and the life of those involved. What started out as a really cool idea has blossomed into an organization whose achievements are beyond anything I could have ever imagined all those years ago. We’ve come to a place of realizing we are in the business of “the art of changing lives.”

(Legally Blonde: The Musical - 2012 "Best Musical" awarded by BroadwayWorld Oralndo)

Today, we are blessed yet again. My dear actor friend, Ron Burrage, Sr. Director, Head of Hershey Global Design, has offered some amazing help to launch TheatreWorks Florida 2020-21 inaugural season in Davenport, FL.

This is where you come in. Your $1 = $3 for TheatreWorks Florida. Ron will match your donation, up to $500 and The Hershey Company will match his, up to $500.

Thank you so much for considering a donation via our fundraising page. And we hope to see you at the theatre!

Sincerely,

Scott A. Cook

TheatreWorks Florida, Artistic Producer

WEB: theatreworksfl.org | FACEBOOK: theatreworksfl