On 24 August, Melanie Ebanks, 19, performed a one night only show, Cocktails and Cabaret, at the Prospect Playhouse in Grand Cayman, with the aim of raising money for the George Town Primary School’s new performing arts centre.
Ms Ebanks had been hoping to raise in the region of $1,000 through her solo performance, but the show sold out well in advance, with all 148 seats taken. One hundred per cent of the proceeds went toward this cause and last week Ms Ebanks presented George Town Primary School with a cheque for $1,500.
“The staff, parents and students at George Town Primary School are profoundly touched by the initiative and generosity of this young lady, who willingly and unselfishly offered her time and exceptional talent with the production of Cocktails and Cabaret at the Prospect Playhouse. [The donation] will be used toward the fitting out of the new GTPS Centre for the Performing Arts,” said the School Principal Marie Martin. “At GTPS we are embracing the concept of educating the ‘whole’ child, which is so necessary as we try to refocus the minds of Cayman’s youngsters to become productive members of society.”
Ms Ebanks performed a number of pieces from Broadway musicals, accompanied by her mentor, Glen Inanga, on the piano. She came up with the idea of the cabaret-style fundraiser because, she said, because she wanted to find a way to give back to the community.
Growing up in the Cayman Islands, her mother, Sheree Ebanks, said the focus was on academics and there were few opportunities for children interested in the performing arts.
“The arts I feel were often treated as an extracurricular activity,” said Ms Ebanks. “I went to Cayman Prep all my life, but I feel like even though it’s not the school I went to, this performing arts centre was a good cause to raise funds for.”
Because the George Town Primary performing arts centre will be open to students from all schools, Ms Ebanks hopes this will give other children and students with a passion for theatre greater opportunities.
“It is great to see our young people already thinking about how they can give back to the community in which they live.
The gift of her performance and proceeds from the evening are priceless and will be used toward allowing other children in Cayman to have access to the Performing Arts,” added Cheyenna Hoaglund-Stewart, the school’s fundraising coordinator.
Although Cocktails and Cabaret was a musical performance, Ms Ebanks’ true passion is acting. She is due to depart soon for London, where she will begin her bachelor of arts degree studies in acting at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
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Thank you Melanie. May your success be tremendous and as big as your heart.