Grants
Thank you for your interest in providing financial support to Magic Moments. On this page you will find basic information about our organization to help you gain an idea of the work we do and the impact we have in our community.
You can find more detailed information about our organization throughout our website. We are also happy to directly answer any questions you have about our organization; you can reach us at info@magicmomentsinc.org.
Our Community Impact
Magic Moments is a non-profit theatre group that believes in fully-integrated theatre. We are not strictly able-bodied performers nor strictly a special needs organization. We are inclusive. We believe theater should be for everyone and we work to achieve that goal in the following ways:
- We produce one original musical revue every year. In 2017 we performed the 34th such show with a cast of 150 individuals ranging in age from 4 to 83, which included 30 special needs performers.
- We award annual scholarships to our special needs cast members who wish to study the performing arts. The organization self-funds these scholarships through our Sweet Nothings program
- We collaborate with local professionals in the community to produce annual workshops on various performing arts topics, which are open to anyone who wishes to improve their skills
- In 2016, Magic Moments collaborated with Heidi Latsky Dance in a performance celebrating diversity that will be presented to the United Nations.
Our Funding
Magic Moments funding for the most recent fiscal year comes from the following sources:
Our History
Magic Moments was created in the early 1980s by a small group of individuals who put on a musical review as a fundraiser to benefit Bridge Home, a Colorado nonprofit that provides treatment for the Developmentally Challenged. Some of the Bridge Home residents performed in the production, which provided a unique opportunity for them, for the rest of the cast, and for the audience.
Since those humble beginnings nearly 35 years ago, Magic Moments has evolved considerably and our programming now consists of an annual original musical with a cast of 150 to 200 actors.
Testimonials
Pat Reinhardt, Mother of Ed Reinhardt, Jr. Former University of Colorado tight end who wasn’t expected to survive when a blood vessel burst in his brain during a football game in 1984:
“They’ve been so kind to the disabled here. Often you see people shove the disabled off to the side, but here they put them front and center. It has been a little bit of heaven here.”
Daniel Langhoff, Professional Actor, Performed in a Magic Moments Production in 2010:
“This is the kind of place where you can still be 5 minutes late for rehearsal, even if you show up on time, because there is a 5-minute gantlet of hugs to navigate.”
Drew Frady, professional actor and former comedy writer:
“This is the only opportunity that a lot of them are going to get all year, not only to perform, but to get together and share time with other people that they love and care about.”
Hannah Balmer, a young woman with cerebral palsy who always really wanted to dance:
“And I did not know I could [dance], until I found Magic Moments. I didn’t know any specific moves before, and what I’ve learned here I can use forever instead of just looking like a dork. The way I see it, the wheelchair does not define who you are, you do. The wheelchair cannot stop you. If you really want to do something, do it. If you need help, get it. And then do it.”
Aaron Rendoff, ASN (actor with special needs), who has been performing with Magic Moments for 12 years:
” My favorite thing about Magic Moments is the love and support that people show me. Before Magic Moments, life was painful and boring.”
Mara Davi, Professional Broadway Actress, Television Actress and Magic Moments Alum:
“The amazing thing is that the barriers I expected to be between us weren’t there. Music and art is a form of communication that comes straight from the heart, so it brought us all together so effortlessly. We were all on the same level, the same page. As a 12-year-old, that was a great lesson. It was so inspiring to watch our cast-mates overcome their challenges and truly shine. I’m so glad they have this outlet to strut their stuff.”
Denver native John Carroll Lynch, a film and TV veteran (“Fargo,” “Zodiac”) who has attended many Magic Moments performances:
“Magic Moments is the best kind of community theater. This is theater that’s being done for all the right reasons.”