Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization that brings theatrical workshops to hospitalized children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We are dedicated to the principle that freeing a child’s creative spirit is an essential part of the healing process. Only Make Believe partners with medical institutions that serve diverse communities regardless of their ability to pay.

Description:
OMB performs for children between the ages of four and fourteen living with chronic illnesses such as HIV disease, physical disabilities, chronic depression, cerebral palsy, cancer and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Our actors travel to pediatric nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and infectious disease and psychiatric units throughout New York City. The OMB acting group consists of multi-racial, bilingual actors reflecting the diversity of the children we serve. Many of the children OMB serves spend most of their childhood in a hospital setting and have never experienced the thrill of a live performance.

Our actors arrive at a facility armed with a trunk load of colorful costumes, props, and backdrops, and for one hour over the course of six weeks take the children on an exciting theatrical journey. All the plays have been especially written for OMB’s young audience inviting the children to take part in the storytelling process and allowing all a chance to shine individually. Over the course of six weeks, the children gain the confidence to stand up in front of the audience, say their lines, and take a bow. At the end of the cycle the trunk of costumes is left behind as a gift to encourage imaginative play after OMB’s sessions are complete.

Collaboration between actor and child is the key to OMB’s success. Each child takes an active part in creating a world of fantasy and fun that transcends the boundaries of the hospital walls, and as a result they are able to gain a new sense of self-esteem and joy. Combining the magic of theater with the power of a child’s imagination enables them to see a world of possibilities rather than disabilities.

History:
The Only Make Believe program debuted in October 1999 at Rusk Institute’s Pediatric Unit, NYU Hospitals Center, as a project of the James and Dena Hammerstein Foundation. Dena Hammerstein established Only Make Believe in memory of her husband James (son of Oscar Hammerstein), his dedication to the theater, and her own passionate love for children in need. The concept of Only Make Believe developed out of Dena’s desire to introduce children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities to the magical world of theater. Since trips to the theater proved to be too overwhelming for many of the children, Dena decided to bring the theater to them, helping to create a unique version of live theater in which each child plays an integral part. In our first year, Only Make Believe provided 12 workshops for 130 children in one medical facility. In 2006, we will perform 149 workshops and reach over 2000 children. In total, since its inception, OMB has performed over 800 workshops for 10,000 children in 23 institutions throughout New York City.

Contact people:

Winnie Wong, Administrative Coordinator, (646) 336-1500, (email) Kate Hall, Executive Director, (646) 336-1500, (email) Maricha Miles, Development Manager, (646) 336-1500, (email)

Address:

1123 Broadway Suite # 1003 New York, NY 10010 (See a map)

Directions:

You can take the R/W train to 23rd Street and Broadway or the F/V train to 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Our office is located on the corner of Broadway and 25th Street.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: R/W; F/V at 23rd Street,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2-5 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: M6 at 26th Street, 2 minutes minute walk