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At a time when the world is volatile, and we often feel powerless in our ability to make a difference, two big-hearted dreamers, Kate Pfaffl (War Horse), and Ben Houghton (American Ballet Theater) have created an avenue for New Yorkers and Broadway performers to help raise money for those in great need, by simply doing what they do best: singing their hearts out on stage in the first of a new series of benefit concerts titled “Broadway’s Babies: Singing for the Children of India”.
Pfaffl and Houghton joined forces in Tamil Nadu, India, as teaching artists through ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty). They met teaching musical theater at The Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, a boarding school comprised of over 200 children ranging in ages from 4-18 who come from families struggling with some of the worst poverty and discrimination in India. The pair helped encourage creative thinking through acting, singing, and dancing exercises, eventually putting together
a fully staged and choreographed performance to the song “NYC” from the Broadway hit, Annie. As the kids quickly fell in love with the dream of some day seeing the bright lights of the Great White Way in person, Kate and Ben quickly fell in love with the amazing kids, realizing that it was their calling to do everything in their power to make their dreams come true.
In recognizing that not everyone has the freedom to jump on a plane and go to India to help children in need, Pfaffl and Houghton reached out to some of TV and Broadway’s finest, who graciously reached back to lend their hearts and talents to the stage to help raise money and awareness in NYC for the children of the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project.
Boasting five successful graduating classes, Shanti Bhavan has given the power of education to children who otherwise would have been destined to never rise above their caste, reversing the perpetual cycle of poverty. All funds raised from the evening will go toward school operating costs at the school, arts funding, and a scholarship program to help bring volunteer teaching artists to the school, upon which Shanti Bhavan heavily depends. If you’re looking for the way that you can help make a difference in the world, this is your chance. Help these beautiful children have a future.