Talk About Giving

Columbia Children’s Theatre S.T.A.R.S.

Started in early 2012, the Columbia Children’s Theatre S.T.A.R.S. – Student Thespians Achieving Results – is a collaboration among Columbia Children’s Theatre, young actors and their families, with a purpose of allowing student actors to use their talents to raise awareness and money for local charities. The motto: ‘Be a S.T.A.R. for charity.’

In addition to spending time learning about the nonprofit organizations serving our community and the issues we face, participants are active in every aspect of play production – from set design to casting to direction to marketing. Proceeds from each production go to a nonprofit researched and selected by S.T.A.R. program participants.

The group’s premier event, a variety show featuring dozens of talented young actors ranging in age from elementary to high school, raised $300 for Oliver Gospel Mission, an organization that assists the homeless population in Columbia.

How it Came About

S.T.A.R.S. present check to Oliver Gospel Mission

Columbia mom, Pamela Ahearn-Chalfant has a busy schedule with three children active with Columbia Children’s Theatre. Over the past five years, her children have participated in numerous plays and she has volunteered her time in assisting with production. And if you’ve ever been involved in theatre, or even just attended a show, you know the time and energy required to pull-off a quality production.

As her children grew, Pamela realized that while the life lessons and opportunities for personal development in theatre were wonderful for children, the time commitment required left little for other things. She wanted her children to experience the community and helping others, but wasn’t sure how to work another activity into their already busy schedule.

And then she and her children came up with an idea. What if there was a way to use the theatre in a way that would help others? “I wanted my children to have the opportunity to take a bow for charity, instead of for themselves,” Pamela noted.

Pamela discussed the idea with CCT Managing Director Jim Litzinger and Artistic Director Jerry Stevenson and together, they created the group. In its premier production, 30 children and their parents participated.

How to Get Involved

CCT S.T.A.R.S. is planning its next production with show times scheduled for November. For more information or to get involved, contact Pamela Ahearn-Chalfant (pachalfant@aol.com) or visit Columbia Children’s Theatre S.T.A.R.S.

About Columbia Children’s Theatre

Columbia Children’s Theatre is dedicated to providing programming that enriches the lives of audiences with the wonders and magic of live theatre which speaks across cultural, ethnic and generational boundaries and gives children memories that will last long after the curtain falls.

With a two-fold programming mission, CCT annually offers four fully produced musicals for families and children and a training ground in theatre arts designed to give young performers the opportunity to rehearse and perform in productions for live audiences. For more information, visit www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com.

S.T.A.R.S. kids!