Photographer, Theatre, Team to Honor Murdered Actress

Dallas actor and portrait photographer Mark Oristano is teaming with Theatre Arlington to raise money for a fund honoring a slain teen-age actress.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) December 11, 2007 -- It’s the first Christmas since Melanie Goodwin’s murder. And two friends from the theatre she called home have teamed to raise money for a scholarship fund in Melanie’s honor.

Dallas portrait photographer Mark Oristano has teamed with Theatre Arlington artistic director B.J. Cleveland to donate all proceeds from the sale of his 2008 Theatre Photo Calendar to the Melanie Goodwin Memorial Fund at the theatre.

20-year old Melanie, who began her acting career at Theatre Arlington as a child, was murdered in Denton, Texas in September, 2007. Mark often photographed her in his role as Theatre Arlington’s production still photographer.

“Like Melanie I, too, began as an actor at Theatre Arlington. And when I found out that Melanie’s family had gotten together with B.J. Cleveland and the theatre to establish a fund in her memory, I had to help out.”

The Melanie Goodwin Memorial Fund will provide scholarship positions for needy young children who want to study in Theatre Arlington’s education programs. And the entire proceeds from the sales of the 2008 Mark Oristano Photography theatre calendar will be donated to the fund.

“I’ve done shows at Theatre Arlington,” says Oristano, “my daughter has done shows at Theatre Arlington. It really is like a family there, and at a time like this, family comes together.”

As of December 6th, the sale of the calendars has raised more than $600 for the fund. Sales will continue throughout the holidays.

“I’m telling all my portrait clients about the calendar at my studio,” says Oristano. “Even people who never met Melanie or who go to Theatre Arlington are buying them.”

The calendars sell for $15.00 apiece and come in a CD-like case which opens to form a stand that holds the calendar in place on a desk or by a computer. To view the calendar pages, which showcase photos from the 2007 Dallas theatre season, visit http://web.mac.com/moristano/2008_Theatre_Calendar

Photos. Calendars may be ordered by calling Mark Oristano Photography at 214-546-3794.

About Mark Oristano Photography:

Mark Oristano Photography provides headshot and portrait services for performers and executives in North Texas.

Contact:

Mark Oristano

Mark Oristano Photography

214-546-3794

http://www.markoristano-photographer.com

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