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Printed From Acorn-Online.com Redding Pilot by Karen Dydzuhn
After honing her singing and acting skills for more than a decade, Brooke Benedetto, a senior at Joel Barlow High School, plans to put her theatrical training to good use by raising money in a benefit concert for children affected by genocide in Darfur. The Easton teen will present “Dreams for the Children of Darfur” on Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Georgetown Saloon in Redding. There is no admission charge, however donations are welcome. All proceeds will be given to Save the Children, a relief organization with headquarters located in Westport. The concert is the culmination of Brooke’s Capstone Project, an independent study program which allows high school students to create, research and execute a meaningful course of study during their senior year. Brooke said that although she decided last summer to coordinate a musical production for her project, she spent a great deal of time researching which organization to support. Her decision was made, however, when she learned more about the tragic circumstance affecting children in Darfur during a lecture given last fall at St. Patrick’s Church in Redding. “My mind was quickly made up about where I wanted the money to go because this was the first time something really touched me in this way,” Brooke said. “I had heard about Darfur in school but I was really moved and realized that in our own lives, we take so much for granted.” During a lecture presented by adults and youth from Danbury High School and viewing a movie about Darfur, called “The Promise,” Brooke learned about the children’s needs for “the simplest things, like health care, education and even a warm blanket.” “These are things that we obviously have so much of,” Brooke said. Brooke contacted Juliette Scarpetta, a Barlow alumni now working at Save the Children, for further information. “She has been so great and we e-mail each other almost every day,” Brooke said. “She has sent me brochures, balloons and bracelets that will be given away at the concert.” Intermixed between songs, the benefit will also include information presented by the actors about the young victims of the genocide in Darfur. Featuring a selection of 10 Broadway show tunes and original songs, the concert is also performed by fellow Barlow students, Chris Wasko and Cory Paglinco. Chris McNiff, of Westport, Garth West, of Stratford, and Kyle Dobkowski, of Milford, are also part of the concert’s ensemble. Brooke said she met all of the young performers in local theater productions she has been involved in the past couple of years. For example, although she took center stage in Barlow’s fall musical, “Once on This Island,” last summer Brooke was also seen on stage in Westport in Staple High School’s summer production of “Miss Saigon.” “I have literally been singing since I was two or three years old,” she said. In fact, Brooke will perform a song in the concert, “I’ll Always Be There,” written by Kevin Connors, founder of the Music Theater of Connecticut and Brooke’s vocal coach for the past five years. She will also sing “Gimme, Gimme,” from the musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Written in the Stars,” from “Aida.” Musical accompaniment is provided by Nelson Diaz on keyboard, Billy Indelicato on bass guitar, and Will Conturo on drums. All are students at Joel Barlow High School. Brooke said she is grateful that Nancy Silverman, owner of Georgetown Saloon, agreed to host this week’s benefit concert. “She is my best friend, Harrison Ahluwalia’s mother and when I talked to her about my idea last summer, she immediately said ‘yes,’” Brooke said. “She told me that the Georgetown Saloon was actually planning to start regular Global Community Spotlight nights where they would provide information and help to raise money for different causes.” Audience members are also invited to participate in a Silent Auction which includes tickets to a summer performance of the Music Theater of Connecticut, a Vera Bradley handbag and gift certificate to local cleaners. Reservations are suggested because space is limited, Brooke said. For more information, call 544-8003. © Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers |
