Help Theatre Kid Aeris See Hamilton on Broadway

Meet Aeris.

Ae is a smart, sassy, talented kid from Barbados who's obsessed with performing, and especially musical theatre.

Now 14, they were born to musical parents and a musical grandfather, and from an early age were interested in performance. Ae was very close to their Papi (maternal grandfather), who loved New York City and Broadway shows and dreamed and spoke often about taking Ae and showing them the city and shows he loved. His dreams quickly became their dreams.

In Barbados access to live theatre, especially musical theatre, is very limited, and in fact, Ae is a student at the only fully semi-professional theatre program on the island, Operation Triple Threat. Placement in the program can be difficult to get, and indeed they were rejected at their first audition. They refused to give up, however, and fought through their fear of rejection and their stage fright (auditions are terrifying!) and were accepted to the program on their second audition.

Sadly, their beloved Papi never got to see them on stage.

He passed away from cancer in 2020 during lockdown, but while he could still speak and think lucidly he made Ae's mother Mandy promise him that she would take Ae, who for several reasons has never travelled off island, to NYC. They've never been on a plane, never seen or experienced another season beyond the tropical summer they live in.

Aeris has gone through a lot more than losing Papi in the last several years, from their parents divorcing and their Mom ending up a single parent with the entire parental responsibility (including 100% of their financial care), to being diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and anxiety, and fighting through it all to excel in OTT and to do very well in school through online learning, which was not ideal for their particular needs.

They've won several battles and are fighting on, growing as a performer under the awesome tutelage of OTT, absolutely certain they want to pursue a career as a performer. Mandy is doing her best to save up to realize her dad's' dream while battling a very high cost of living, having used all of her meagre savings to survive the pandemic, because as an artist and performer herself, there was no work for nearly three years. on top of that, astronomical travel costs are threatening to not just derail the plans but push them back by many years.

Because no one has tomorrow saved up for later, Mandy feels in her soul that now is the right time. Ae has finally been granted their US citizenship, and the family may even look to relocate there in the future but for now, Mandy wants to take Ae to NYC during Christmas, so they can see snow, ice skate, visit art museums (they are also artistic, like Mandy and Papi), catch some shows (Especially Hamilton), and live in the magic of the city during the holidays.

Mandy is asking for help. Any amount that is given is humbly and happily accepted. Help Mandy give Ae their very first ever travel vacation and take them to see all of Papi's favourite places and shows. Money raised will cover the flight for Ae and their mom, accommodations and show tickets. Anything left over will be put toward Aeris' OTT fees for next year. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!