M AG I C M O M E N TS

Magic Moments has always

made me look at life a little

differently. Recently while

working on grant-writing and

fundraising I had an epiphany

about this extraordinary

organization.

While applying for a grant, I

was asked how we would

spend the money we would

receive and exactly how we

were going to put the funding

to good use. Of course the

easy answer would be that we

use the money to pay for the

theater rental, rehearsal

space, lighting, musicians,

equipment, costumes, sheet

music, and the list goes on

and on. However, in my opin-

ion all of this is not really the

end result of our efforts.

I know that many would say

that the whole reason that

Magic Moments exists is so

people with special needs

would have more opportuni-

t i e s t o p e r f o r m o n

stage. Although this is a very

noble endeavor, I believe that

we actually go much further

than this. To me, Magic Mo-

ments gives ME the honor of

performing on stage along-

side people with special

needs that truly love bringing

these shows to life. As a re-

sult, everything that I put into

Magic Moments I get back

and more.

To me, just being a part of

something so wonderful is

enough. Whether my role is

chorus member, featured solo-

ist, or lead ~ any contribution

that I can make to Magic Mo-

ments will be made and with

joy and gratitude. Hopefully,

someday I will be asked to join

the SiDa dancers but I fear

that a man of my advanced

years has very little chance….

I look forward to seeing every-

one at auditions and the up-

coming rehearsals!!

In service,

Billy Baldwin

President Magic Moments

Letter From The President

October 2017

2017 - 2018

Board of Directors

Billy Baldwin ~ President

Kamala Quintana ~ 1st VP

Ted Kuenz ~ 2nd VP

Gwen Feifarek ~ Treasurer

Danny Rusak ~ Secretary

Mary Jeffreys ~ Marketing Lead

Casey Rogers

Bill Youmans

BEHIND THE SCENES

Colorado Gives Day ~ Dec 5, 2017

For the 8th year, Community

First Foundation and First-

Bank will present Colorado

Gives Day on Tuesday,

December 5, 2017. This

annual statewide movement

celebrates and increases

philanthropy in Colorado

through online giving. The

$1 Million Incentive Fund

created by the partners is

one of the largest gives-day

incentive funds in the

country.

This is the 5th year that

Magic Moments will be par-

ticipating. Donations are

critical to the success of

every Magic Moments pro-

duction. These funds will

go towards general operat-

ing costs, props, costumes,

printed music scores, pro-

grams, facilitating work-

shops, special events and

community outreach pro-

grams, equipment and set

materials for our annual

production, and to help

continue producing the

high quality productions

that showcase the abilities

of all people. Because of

the generous 2016 Colora-

do Gives donations Magic

Moments was able to pur-

chase 30 brand new and

desperately-needed micro-

phones for our performers.

Please consider making a

donation to Magic Moments

through Colorado Gives on

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Eve-

ry donation is vastly appreci-

ated, and no donation is too

large or too small. Please

pass the word to friends and

family.

To make a donation click

here on Dec. 5th (or anytime)

and search for Magic

Moments.

Magi c Moments Miss ion Statement

"Magic Moments is an organi-

zation that promotes the arts

by fostering an environment

of acceptance, growth, learn-

ing, and support for our par-

ticipants and the larger com-

munity by inviting people of all

ages, with or without disabili-

ties, amateur or professional,

to perform in original musical

theater productions.”

SAVE THE DATES!

Audition Workshop

Oct. 28, 2017 at Cabrini

End Daylight Savings

Nov. 5, 2017 2:00 am

(clocks one hour back)

Auditions:

Nov. 4, 2017 (13 & older)

Nov. 5, 2017 (12 & under)

Registration:

Dec. 9, 2017

35th Anniversary Shows

“In the Same Boat”

March 22-25, 2018

http://www.ColoradoGives.org

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“In The Spotlight” ~ Magic Moments’ We are happy to announce that our March 2018 performances of “In the Same Boat” will mark our 35th Anniversary of providing excel-

lent theater entertainment by showcasing the abilities of all people. We asked previous cast and crew members and families to provide a

one-sentence answer to the question, “How has Magic Moments impacted your life, or the life of your loved one, for the better?”. We are

proud, honored and humbled to publish these wonderful testimonials here. Thank you all for your hard work, dedication, and passion

throughout the years to make Magic Moments so successful and for making this significant milestone possible. Please enjoy…

“After seeing a fabulous Magic Moments production 4 years ago, my son, Alex, discovered his passion and loves performing in Magic Moments and musi-

cal theater ever since” - Gwen Feifarek about son Alex;

“A friend brought me to do a little show. 15 years later, Magic Moments has changed my life!” - Kamala Quintana;

“Magic Moments changed how I look at theatre, and how it's cast, forever!” - Michelle Ullmann; “It has given our daughter the confidence to shine on stage and has given our entire family an opportunity to be part of a tremendous community of kind,

loving, funny, creative, and generous people who "get it!" - Alison & Nelson Rangell about daughter Molly Cox;

“I attended one Magic Moments performance and was so impressed, I joined the board! ” - Mary Jeffreys;

“When our son was entering the scary and unknown “after school world” Magic Moments gave him a new focus, a new extended family and a new lease

and direction in his life that is still going strong after 9 years” - Steve & Leslie Spencer about son Scott;

“Magic Moments has given me a place to call home. ❤” - Cara Leighanne;

“Magic Moments has allowed our son to shine brightly on stage, thanks to their willingness to accept his differences and let his potential burst through for

enthusiastic audiences to enjoy!" - Lucie Brossard about son Anton Kiwimagi; "Magic Moments provided a safe-haven for me to do my first ever musical theater show and in the process brought me some of the most dynamic friend-

ships I've ever had, many of those with the special needs community” - Brian DeBaets;

“Magic Moments has impacted my daughter’s life in such a positive way, it shows her she is ok and "fits" in with so many others and she can be herself

and have fun, perform and make friends” - Bill Youmans about daughter Alyssa; “Non-verbal was a non-issue when I found myself on stage with just me and my partner while I spoke the opening and closing lines as Detective Joe Friday

in 2011, just because Magic Moments believed in me, trusted me, and embraced my technology” - Amy Rusak;

“MM has allowed me to continue singing, dancing, and to be on stage with fantastic people!“ - Julie Miley; “One of the hardest (but BEST) things my SN son ever did was practice, learn, dance, and sing on that stage with the nicest people ever ~ Nobody is a

stranger in the MM family and life without Magic Moments would be dull and sad” - Lisa Seybert about teen son Jacob;

For 35 years I have met many "special dear friends", built memories, and felt like a "star" in my own Magic Moments" - Tricia Holt; “Singing, Dancing, and Acting with all of my friends makes me very happy!” - Beth Jordan;

“Magic Moments has been tons of fun, a learning experience, being able to do what Adrian has always enjoyed doing which is to perform for lots of peo-

ple, & being able to get scholarships over the years, to continue to grow as an actor, dancer, & singer” - Michelle Resendez;

"Not only our lives, but those of our kids who grew up in Magic Moments, have been opened to the celebration of lives of diversity, opportunity, possibility

and greater abilities" - Louie and Missy Feher-Peiker;

“Magic Moments has made me a better parent by teaching me to step back, keep my distance, take a deep breath, and just allow my beautiful daughter

to blossom on her own because of all she is” - Danny Rusak about Amy;

“Being part of Magic Moments has given me confidence” - Hannah Balmer;

“As a parent, I appreciate not just the opportunities for Hannah to perform, but also the acceptance, the sense of community, the doors that being part of

Magic Moments have opened, and the moments of sheer joy that have marked Hannah’s years with this remarkable group” - Jim & Carol Balmer;

“Magic Moments theme for sharing and caring will always be “Stand By Me” - Kathy Hayes; "With the inclusiveness of Magic Moments, our daughter, Elizabeth, is able to realize her life-long dream of being an actress in musical theatre” - Mike &

Carol Langworthy;

“I love Magic Moments so much that my eyes frequently leak….” - Billy Baldwin;

“I love that I can bring my daughter to Magic Moments and she can see people with disabilities having a blast and being treated just like everyone else”

- Casey Rogers

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The First Mate, who does know

how to sail, tries to solve things

“by the book” even though there

is nothing in the book about the

Bermuda Triangle. The Cruise

Director, who does not know how

to sail, says thinking “outside the

box” is the only way to save the

ship. Everyone has an idea so

this show is littered with solos.

The solutions range from throw-

ing a “Message In A Bottle” to

tapping out a rescue message in

Morse code. Pirates invade but

they don’t do much. Only a joint

Magic Moments Communication Cube

Hotline: 303-607-7555

Email: info@magicmomentsinc.org

Website: www.magicmomentsinc.org

Remember to “like” us on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/pages/Magic-Moments-Inc/247040045448851

(Danny Rusak - Newsletter Editor - d.rusak@comcast.net)

. . . and now a Word from KQ

Golf Tournament On Saturday, September 9th Magic Moments held the first ever golf fundraiser.

The event hosted 66 players and everyone had a great time! It was a very successful fundraiser

and will be done again next year so keep your eyes peeled if you’re a golfer!

The winning team was Stephen Bradford’s, which included

Steve Bradford, Frank Andrade, Stephen Gibbons, and Andrew Layton.

Many thanks to Willis Case golf course for hosting the event,

and to Jason Spillman and Shawn Dominguez for helping organize.

Ted Kuenz

Hello from Physical Therapy.

I have a new knee now but am

having trouble using it. I hear

things will improve so that gives

me a goal.

As for the show - it’s our 35th you

know - it’s shaping up to be one

our best ever. Based on our own

Marti Sullivan’s idea, a “Love

Boat” type cruise ship gets lost

in the Bermuda Triangle, the

Captain disappears, supplies run

low, and all these crazy things

keep happening. Elvis shows up,

as well as the crew from Flight

19, an alien or two, and even

Amelia Earhart.

effort will save the ship. This

being Magic Moments, that’s

what we do. Between the food

riots “Eat It” and dancing for dis-

traction “Better When I’m Danc-

ing”, an adventure is sure to be

had by all.

With Love and Coffee and Donuts,

~ KQ

http://www.magicmomentsinc.org/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Magic-Moments-Inc/247040045448851

4

*Or Click here to Register

http://app.arts-people.com/index.php?donation=mmi

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Thanks to our Wonderful Sponsors Magic Moments is made possible by the generous support of these key sponsors.

Please support the opportunities they create!

“In the Same Boat” Auditions

It’s that time again! Polish your slate, prep your music and dust off your dancing shoes

~ Magic Moments Auditions for “In the Same Boat” are just around the corner ~

This year’s musical is about a cruise ship that gets lost in the Bermuda Triangle.

It’s our 35th anniversary and if you’re an MM alum, we’d love to have you back for the commemorative show!

Music this year includes songs from Elvis, Joan Jett, Curtains, Legally Blonde, Sting, the Eagles, and lots more.

AUDITION DETAILS:

Saturday, November 4 ~ adults and teens; Sunday, November 5 ~ kids

Sign up for an audition time: fill in our online form

Location: Waterstone Community Church ~ 5890 S. Alkire St. Littleton, CO 80127.

Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 7 and performances are March 22-25, 2018.

Click here for details.

If performing is not your thing ~ never fear! We need lots of people to help with costumes, stage, props, and backstage help.

Remember, if you’re in high school you can rack up your community service hours and have fun at the same time!!

Check us out at www.magicmomentsinc.org or click here.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwjs4PL69pbVAhWJ7IMKHR-eCrcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ccdconline.org%2Fsponsors%2Farc-thrift-stores&psig=AFQjCNEFQ5IwOFTTxGwbqbmYIbvCbuGY-g&ust=1500608104709038https://magicmomentsinc.org/cast-and-crew/for-cast/auditions/https://magicmomentsinc.org/auditions-now-open-for-the-2018-show/http://www.magicmomentsinc.org/