SongMeanings Proud to Sponsor Songs for Story Shifters
New York, NY (PRWEB) October 31, 2013 -- SongMeanings.com co-founders Brian Adams and Michael Schiano are proud to announce SongMeanings sponsorship of Tiffany Schleigh presents Songs for Story Shifters, a one night, two show cabaret fundraiser benefiting Story Shifters, an education residency program providing free theater education to New York City students with medical, physical, and neurological impairments, including students on the autism spectrum and students with special needs. The benefit concert will take place on Monday November 4th at Stage 72 in The Triad Theater.
As the rate of students with Autism continues to rise throughout New York City and arts programs are slashed if not cut all together, Story Shifters is bringing drama, theater, and story telling to the growing population free of charge. Focusing on literacy, fluency, and comprehension, the residencies have enjoyed two years of successful programming at three schools in New York; helping to connect over two dozens students with the joy of creating and performing their own theatrical works.
"We've long believed that songs help people tell their own stories. It's really why SongMeanings has been such a great community. Lyrics mean so much. There are stories in every song. What Story Shifters is doing is just helping more people tell their own stories, through theater, through music, through art. We are definitely on board," Michael Schiano said.
Kimberly Strafford, Director of Education and Outreach for kef theatrical productions and creator and director of Story Shifters, believes that Story Shifters can not only help keep arts in the classroom, but can also help some students find their voice.
"We think that everyone has as a story to share. Sometimes, we don’t get the stage to do it on or the voice to do it. What Story Shifters does, is help level the playing field a little bit. Everyone, no matter who they are, where they live, or how they communicate, deserves the right to play, create, and share," Strafford said.
The line-up includes young professionals Mallory Bechtel (Home, Fly), Amaya Braganza (Annie), Skye Alyssa Friedman (Annie), Emma Howard (Matilda), Marquise Neal (Kinky Boots), Rachel Resheff (Shrek, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot, People in the Picture), Taylor Richardson (Annie), Julianna Rigoglioso (Mary Poppins, Far From Heaven), Laurissa "Lala" Romain (South Pacific), Brooklyn Shuck (Annie), Lina Silver (Happiness, Shakespeare in the Park), Mavis Simpson-Ernst (Evita, Les Miserables), Sadie Sink (Annie, Tuck Everlasting), Emerson Steele (Violet), as well as new rising stars from around the country: Jaron Cole, Lauren Dodds, Lauren Echausse, Ali Giordano, Elise Pakiela, and Sophie Thatcher. The evening is hosted by Tyrah Skye Odoms (Annie) and Steven Strafford (Spamalot).
The show is being produced by Tiffany Schleigh and Nora Strafford. It is directed by Ruby Shivers.
The benefit is sponsored by SongMeanings. SongMeanings.com is the ultimate music community, bringing together large groups of users to discuss song lyrics and meanings. Schiano and Adams have been operating the site since its inception in 1999. They pride themselves on providing an open and welcoming environment for users to discuss the stories of music and lyrics and what personal stories songs have helped create for all of us.
Dan Strafford, SongMeanings, http://www.songmeanings.net, +1 (732) 221-6302, [email protected]
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