On the night of January 1 of 2014  I had an emergency surgery that lead me to finding out that I had stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. And as a result I had to undergo 6 months of Chemotherapy. (This is my 3rd time battling this disease...) I would receive a treatment every Friday for a total of 18 chemo treatments. I lost my health, my hair, and especially my energy… but not my spirit! During those difficult times and especially the sleepless nights,  I would think of the many kids that I have taught throughout  the years, and all the joy that music and the performing arts has brought to me. The only thing that would save me from myself would be listening to music or going and seeing a musical production of some kind! At nights I would take out my little notebook that I would keep by my bedside and write down those thoughts as they would come. And as a result I came up with this new adventure that you are a part of today!

 

After being told that my cancer is in remission and that I am as of today cancer free, I am ready to live out my dream and start my new adventure! ShowStopper Productions & ShowStopper Academy has a new home that I have created to involve not just me and my students …but the whole community and hopefully many, many more! Introducing… the “Hopebox Theater!”  I came up with this idea in the middle of the night during one of my hardest treatments. It’s a theater in which gives back to those who are struggling, dealing with or a survivor of Cancer or other life threatening ailments!  This is a place where creativity, vision, talents combined with love and support can give back to all those who need some new” Hope” in their lives.    I want to be able to help those like myself find joy and hope through the performing arts as I have.  So I decided to put both of my experience together and create a “Hopebox Foundation” where family, friends, and community can come together to help and lift ones spirit! The Hopebox Theater can give hope to you, your family, a complete stranger but especially someone you love!