This holiday season Duke City Repertory Theatre (DCRT) is partnering with Enlace Comunitario and S.A.F.E. House New Mexico to provide assistance to survivors of domestic violence by hosting a diaper, toy, and clothing drive.
DCRT encourages its patrons to participate in the drive by bringing diapers, baby wipes, toys, and new or gently used women’s clothing to The Cell Theatre on the night of any performance of” All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth,” which runs the first three weekends of December. Patrons who participate in the drive will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win free tickets to DCRT’s production of “The 39 Steps,” a Tony award-winning and action-packed comedy playing in May of 2015.
“The holidays are about spreading peace and joy,” says Josh Heard, Director of Development for DCRT. “We’re hoping this drive will bring a little extra to those who need it most.”
The donated diapers and baby wipes will benefit the children of women to whom Enlace Comunitario provides support and transitional assistance, and the donated women’s clothing will directly aid the women staying at the S.A.F.E. House shelter. The children’s toys will be distributed evenly between both support agencies.
“As a company, we desire to affect the greatest change possible in our community, not just through our art, but also in our capacity to support invaluable programs like Enlace Comunitario and S.A.F.E. House,” says Amelia Ampuero, Artistic Director of DCRT.
Survivors of domestic violence often leave with only the clothes on their backs and few other worldly possessions. Many feel they have no where to go, and no one to turn to for help. Organizations like Enlace Comunitario and S.A.F.E. House provide women and their children life-saving support in the forms of shelter, counseling, and legal services, without which these victims could face physical and emotional danger.
“We can all do our part to empower these women by supporting organizations who help give them their lives back,” says Heard.
Duke City Repertory Theatre is a professional non-profit theatre company that exists to serve the audience, and is accountable to its patrons in providing top-notch, bold theatre that inspires and transforms. It is their aim to make this art accessible and compelling to not only the theatre community, but the entire community at large.
“All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” opens Thursday, December 4th at The Cell Theatre in Downtown Albuquerque. It runs through December 21st with Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 8pm and Sunday performances at 2pm. For more information on tickets and the donation drive, please visit www.dukecityrep.com.