(Note: JKP Foundation on behalf of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Barsana Dham is conducting a flood relief fundraising campaign for victims of the massive flooding in Bihar, India. Barsana Dham is one of the few organizations in the USA to conduct a flood relief drive. Donations to Barsana Dham can be made here: Barsana Dham Bihar Relief Campaign)
Last evening I had the great delight to attend an inspiring and unique evening performance of an Improv show hosted by K.I.T.E., Kids Interactive Theatre Ensemble on the lovely grounds of Highland Hall Waldorf school in Northridge, CA. The reason I feel compelled to write about this evening is because of unique attributes that as a theatre lover I have never experienced before. This group of talented child actors were joined by a group of adult professionals, but the uniqueness didn't stop there. It was less than a week prior to the performance that company founders Mark and Hara Lewis decided to mount the production.
Why? As members of the JKP Barsana Dham in Austin Texas, they felt a passionate call to respond to the urgent plea issued from their foundation for contributions to the Bihar India flood disaster. Barsana Dham not only supports disaster victims in India but is currently housing close to 200 guests during hurricane Ike. It would seem that their founder, Swami Prakashanand Sarawati has a motto, "Turn no one away!" The Lewis' wanted to find a way to raise funds to contribute to the JKP Foundation, dedicated to helping disaster victims. With three kids of their own to raise, their hearts were bigger than their pocket books so the family put on their thinking caps and came up with the idea of an impromptu Improv show! In less than one week, they gathered adult and child actors from across the city to come together and donate their time to rehearse and perform the show as a fundraising event for the disaster victims. They worked round the clock for 5 days straight, organizing, promoting and rehearsing. It was this clever invitation that I got via email that made it irresistible for me to attend. It said in part, "Over a MILLION people are without shelter. What are we going to do about it? Simple....IMPROV SHOW!!!! hey, laughter's the best medicine, right?
When we arrived at the outdoor amphitheater we were met with a striking and artistic display of powerful photographs, beautifully crafted by their talented 12 year old, Rose Lewis. The teasing patter of Hara Lewis who acted as MC for the evening drew us into her world of magical fun while subtly and simultaneously raising our consciousness about the altruistic cause behind the scene. The kids in the KITE company seemed to range in age from about 9 - 15 years and worked together with joyful camaraderie, wonderful imaginations and an uncanny lack of self-consciousness. This was followed in Act II with a company of 5 adult professional improv performers that left us with some memorable chuckles. The great finale was when the kids and adults came together and in the final scene poked fun at the school system itself. Both Rose and Grace Lewis performed in the troop while 7 year old Judah, the youngest, helped out with the raffle. Not only was the show great medicine for my own heart because of my now more educated compassion for the victims in India, the impending hurricane Ike and the unexpected train crash in LA, but I felt by attending that I was actually able to do something myself, to make a contribution where it mattered. If I had to describe the evening in one word I would have to say, "Spiritual." Thank you Lewis family and thank you Swami Prakashanand Sarawati and JKP Barsana Dham Foundation for reaching all the way to LA to inspire us with an opportunity give back some of our own good fortune.
Author: L.F., Barsana Dham LA.
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