VIP Experience at Hamilton!

Wanted:  95 tickets to the sold-out hit show “Hamilton.”  Impossible, right?  Actually, more like “No Problem” thanks to community outreach coordinated by the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and a generous gift from American Momentum Bank.  The tickets were provided to local group home youth to attend the musical on Sunday, February 3.

This show has particular relevance to kids in foster care who can often feel alone and forgotten, because Hamilton himself was an orphan and immigrant.  The fact that his story is told through a multi-racial cast is even more extraordinary and impactful to the population we serve.

For many of the kids, it was their first time attending live theater – and it was a red carpet experience for them every step of the way!  Dr. Phillips Center provided luxury coach buses, history trivia games with prizes, a buffet luncheon, and souvenir goodie bags with Hamilton swag.  Everyone was documenting the experience with lots of selfies in front of the Hamilton backdrop.  They definitely felt like stars!

Then they headed to the “room where it happens” for the amazing show and musical performances.  The group clapped, laughed, and cheered throughout the 2-hour show.  The reviews afterwards were unanimous – everyone loved it!

“Hamilton Prep Events” had been held at the group homes in the weeks prior to the event, and included some U.S. History, and an overview of the groundbreaking Broadway show.  Live Hart, an FFC music provider, performed some of her own music and talked to the kids about storytelling through lyrics.  She shared how art can be a good outlet for them to express themselves.

Attending the performance has definitely made an impact on some of the kids.  Requests for music and dance lessons have been on the increase since seeing the show.

Our sincere appreciation to American Momentum Bank for providing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and to the Dr. Phillips Center team for sharing their passion, and carrying out their mission of “Arts for Every Life” with young people in our community.