A Benefit Show and Silent Auction for the Brittany Stene Medical Fund
By Rick A. Elina
In April of this year, Brittany Stene, a member of the Teatro delle Muse family, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Artistic Director Sarh VC Henderson, said, “Brittany is a delightful 15-year old. She is beautiful inside and out and never meets a stranger.” Brittany joined Teatro delle Muse for their very first main stage production of High School Musical and has been a valued member of the company since that time.
Once diagnosed, Brittany began her chemotherapy immediately. In addition, she has undergone two surgeries in the last nine months. “The amount of pain and discomfort that she endures on a daily basis is beyond words. She’s a true fighter,” says Ms. Henderson. However, her family is now facing some very difficult times as Brittany’s father was recently laid off and the family lost their health insurance. Ms. Henderson continues, “Brittany has always stepped up to help anyone around her that needed help and it’s now time that we do the same.”
Teatro delle Muse will be producing a benefit show this month entitled, Donkey in Horse Heaven. Ms. Henderson explains, “This is a soon to be published play that is family friendly and will provide a break from the same holiday shows presented every year. It’s a touching story of how a simple gesture from an unlikely source, can truly affect the world. This show is about kindness, and how all acts of kindness, no matter how small, are important. 100 per cent of ticket sales will go directly to Brittany’s medical fund.”
Dear Reader, I should point out that Donkey in Horse Heaven was written by none other than yours truly.
In addition to the show, there will be a silent auction to help raise funds. Teatro delle Muse’s support staff has volunteered their time to make sure this event is a success.
How can you help?
Of course buy a ticket to the show! They can be purchased online at www.TeatroDelleMuse.us and/or make a donation to the silent auction that will be held in the adjacent Art Centre of Plano gallery through the close of Donkey in Horse Heaven. Donations can be made by contacting Ande Bewley at Ande@TeatroDelleMuse.us or by phone (972) 424-6873. Ms. Henderson wants to remind everyone, “No act of kindness is too small.”
If you wish to check up on Brittany’s progress a website has been set up at www.CarePages.com. After signing up for an account, search for BrittsPage2008.
Rick A. Elina is a playwright based in Plano, Texas and is the Theatre Critic for the North Dallas Gazette.
