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Counting Down the Top 40 Foundation Grants of All Time #29: Student Trips to “Hamilton: An American Musical,” “Hadestown,” Stratford Shakespeare Festival and Other Performances

photo of Mikey Winslow

Funding grants for students to attend professional theater is a challenge. The cost of tickets, transportation, and, sometimes, lodging can be prohibitive. 

“Hamilton” was a good example. When a teacher first requested a grant for students to attend the musical, it was for a performance in Chicago. The cost included bus transportation for hundreds of 8th graders. It was just too expensive.

Fast forward, though, to when “Hamilton” came to Grand Rapids. We received a new grant request for the Foundation to pay only a portion of the cost. Not only was the grant approved, but also an East alum, Mikey Winslow, was a cast member in the show. He visited our schools and gave workshops to students during the show’s run, so our entire 8th grade class had the opportunity to be in the room where it happened.

Thank you, Foundation donors, for making this possible! You can help support our mission of investing in educational enhancements for all our students on our Donate page.



 

  • Ray and Kristin Abraham
    Ray and Kristin Abraham
  • The Adamy Family
  • Sue and Marty Allen
  • The Bissell/Kruer Family
    The Bissell/Kruer Family
  • Dennis and Jennifer Bruce
    Dennis and Jennifer Bruce
  • Jason and Elizabeth Christopherson
  • Pat Connor
    Pat Connor
  • Nancy Cook
  • Damian and Sara deGoa
    Damian and Sara deGoa
  • Rick and Carol Godfrey
  • John and Deanna Green
  • The Iakiri Family
    The Iakiri Family
  • KV and Jena Lacks
  • Steve and Jenny McMahon
  • Dave Mehney
    Dave Mehney
  • Matthew Richenthal
    Matthew Richenthal
  • Elaine Rongey
  • SILVA
    SILVA
  • Beth Wells Skaggs
    Beth Wells Skaggs
  • Abby and Rich Sorota
  • Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole
    Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole
  • Charley and Janine Thompson
    Charley and Janine Thompson
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